Segamat.com

If you are in PJ or KL, here's what Valentine's Day would mean: getting stuck in the traffic jam, rushing home to shower & put on your best, pick up (or get picked up) by your partner, get stuck in the jam again on the way to that fancy restaurant. Go round in circles trying to get a parking lot. Queue up at the restaurant, waiter signals you he found a table for you 20 minutes later.... order your food (hungry like a horse!), get served 30 minutes' later... wolf down your food. Pay the bill (oh dear me, there goes my car installment for this month!) - get stuck in the jam again on the way to somewhere quiet, somewhere more romantic.

Is this your idea of a perfect Valentine's Day celebration?

Segamat can do better. No traffic jams. Every where is within easy reach. No traffic jams (only that occasional crazy guy on the motorbike weaving in and out). Best of all - no fancy restaurant! Heck - you'll be served with hot, delicious food by that sweaty, wizened waiter wearing that white, well-worn 'pagoda' t-shirt. And yes - no waiting earnestly like waiting for durians to drop (this is Segamat, okay?). And this is the best of the best - eat like a king (or queen) for under RM100. You'll still have change to go for ABC or ice kacang for supper later.

And that's what I love about Segamat. Small, quiet, homely and it's my hometown. Fond memories here for me of that sweaty young waiter (now probably old waiter) bringing me my favourite mee soup in Nam Kwang Open Air Cafe. The best kopi-o in town with the best toast and half-boiled eggs.

Whoever said Valentine's Day must be celebrated in a fancy restaurant should have his/her head examined.

If you are in love, the food you share together will automatically be lovely. The look of satisfaction on your partner's face is enough to tell you that. What's better is both of you look at each other, in love. Certainly not looking at iPhones or smart phones in a place like Starbucks (the RM13 a cup of coffee can kill you, I kid you not!).

Sigh... Segamat. You don't need to look so far to find love. It's in the places that remind you the most as a child. The familiar restaurants. The best drinks. That genuinely hospitable waiter grinning toothlessly at you.

So what did I do on Valentine's Day? Pigged myself out in a nearby Teo Chew porridge restaurant. Wore my faded jeans, not so new t-shirt and my crocs. And then back home writing this crazy article before Admin calls me to ask me for any new article. Call that romantic? Nope - that's being practical.