That Time I Thought I Ordered Prawns...

One of my most humbling moments happened when I was 16, during my first year in Melbourne, Australia. I was a student at Melbourne Girls’ College, and as part of a small group of grade 11 international students, we had a special outing. I can't quite recall the exact occasion, but all ten of us were going out for a meal with our coordinator. It strikes me now that it might have been my very first time eating out with friends in Australia – incredibly, perhaps even the first time I opened a restaurant menu here. It was an Asian restaurant somewhere in Richmond.

As we scanned the menu, the others chatted excitedly about recommendations and what to share. I was keenly aware that this wasn't a sponsored lunch; we were all paying our own way. My focus was split between deciphering the English descriptions and the prices. I didn't want to seem stingy, but as a self-funded international student, I definitely needed to be budget-conscious – ideally under 10 AUD. My eyes darted between beef and chicken, noodles and rice, hot pot and spring rolls. Everything seemed a little expensive. I noticed the average dish hovered around 12-15 AUD.

Then, like a beacon, I spotted something with prawn listed for only 7 AUD. Fantastic! Well within my budget. Plus, it had been a while since I'd enjoyed prawns. My mouth was already watering; I was so looking forward to my prawn dish.

When the food started arriving, I was genuinely excited. My friends' orders came first. Then, the "prawn dish" appeared. It took a moment for the reality to sink in. This was what I had ordered. A whole plate of prawn crackers. I wanted the earth to swallow me whole, but of course, it didn't. So, I plastered on a brave face, met my friends' gazes, and declared with a smile, "Yes, this is exactly what I ordered. I can be perfectly happy with just these prawn crackers!" It's a memory that's truly unforgettable.

That day, I learned that scoring a 6.5 on the IELTS exam doesn't guarantee full menu comprehension. I definitely needed to be more diligent with my English language learning.

I also learned the valuable lesson that you often get what you pay for. The "prawn" in prawn crackers is a far cry from the prawns in a fried rice. It's probably best not to be too frugal, especially when you're still navigating the language on a menu.

Thank goodness for all the technology and the internet we have today. Now, you can travel abroad and understand a menu with just a few clicks.

It was a humble experience, and it still brings a good laugh years later. I'll never look at prawn crackers the same way again.

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