Asked nicely? Ignored.
Given reminders? Still ignored.
But the moment the rotan makes an appearance – problem solved.
A funny TikTok video by @kherying_ has gone viral for perfectly capturing a scenario many Malaysians know all too well. The clip shows how repeated polite requests for kids to clean up are met with zero urgency... until the legendary rotan enters the scene.
What follows is nothing short of a miracle. Toys disappear, floors get swept, and children instantly transform into the most efficient cleaners you've ever seen – all in record time. The exaggerated contrast had viewers laughing, with many joking that the rotan isn't just a discipline tool, but a "motivation device."
The video struck a chord online, especially among Southeast Asian audiences who grew up with the same household dynamics. Comment sections quickly filled with nostalgic reactions, laughing emojis, and comments like "this was my childhood" and "why is this so accurate?"
While clearly shared in a humorous and exaggerated way, the clip taps into a familiar cultural experience – where the threat of discipline somehow works faster than any polite reminder ever could.
One thing's for sure: when the rotan shows up, cleaning gets done.
