I just want to order a roti prata

From time to time language problems can crop up when you least expect them. One morning recently whilst waiting for a coach to KL I went to a cafe at Novena Square and asked the auntie working there for a plain roti prata. The rough transscript is below:
 

• Auntie: Ahh errr what you want ahh?
• Me: give me roti prata & teh tarik please?
• Auntie: What lah? what is prata ahh?
• Me: getting frustrated, a plain roti pr-at-a with chicken curry please?
• Auntie: Ah what you want? Prata err what lah?
• Me: now starting to get rather hacked off I just want a roti prata (which was clearly not understand)
• It was at that point that a fellow customer with a heavy Indian accent said at breakneck speed "he wants a roti prata"
• Auntie: Oh par----art---aaa lah, sorry ahh, finished, not started yet!

With that it was time to board the bus & 2.5 hrs later at Pagoh rest stop I enjoyed some nice roti telur washed down by a hot and tasty teh tarik.

Still at least it wasn’t as crazy as the time in Bangsar I ordered a coke and got egg fried rice but that’s another story.