I hope this entry will be a usefull information either for fellow photographers or just any of u out there. Not that I’m trying to highlight the wrongdoing, I just hope we can take advantage of living in this multi-cultural country and learn how to appreciate other customs as well.

Yesterday, I had a Malay wedding assignment, held at the house of the bride. The ‘pelamin’ was setup in the living room and they have family members sitting on the floor watching the ‘bersanding’ ceremony. There was also a lady who had her little baby boy laid down on the (carpeted) floor, fallen asleep. The living room was packed as some guests walked in and out.

I was standing right next to this lady and her baby, when suddenly a group of non-Malay guests tried to walk out across the living room and actually step across the sleeping baby. I was like “Whaaa??”… And the mother/lady seemed shocked at what the guest just did but nevertheless make way for the other following guests to pass through. Not that the mother need to actually showed the way in the first place, but I guess it was totally obvious that they can find another way to walk rather than just crossing over another person’s body.

My point is, although it might be acceptable to some people if anyone were to step across their body in situation like this, but I think it’s best to just assume that other people might not feel the same way (unless you really know that they don’t mind) especially when you are in the middle of a different culture whereby you are not sure if your words or actions may or may not offend others.

Same reminder goes to fellow photographers when you are in situation like this. No matter how bad you wanted a certain angle or shot, please, please, please remember where you are standing at that very moment. Not just you have to push yourself to be creaative in your shots, but you should also be ‘creative’ in trying not to offend others…

Let’s all live happily within our own tradition while also learning about others’.