Every Friday, like clockwork, someone in the group sends the same text – ‘So, what plans this weekend?’ And it brings the group chat to life. The constant buzz of texts follows the sound of Instagram reels, and Google Map links start flying around. Suddenly, everyone is a food expert. It almost seems we are planning a great adventure, not an outing that would last at most 3 hours.The suggestions come in thick and fast. ‘Let’s try this new Malaysian cuisine,’ someone says. Pat comes the reply, ‘No, that’s too far from my place’. Others suggest a new brewery in town, and a food expert chimes in, calling the food ‘average’. Someone recommends a place that’s going viral online, apparently a ‘hidden gem’, only to discover it is 20 km away with a two-hour wait list.The idea of going out slowly dissolves, and we move to make a plan at home. Then, someone comes up with the idea of a ‘potluck’. But, it is turned down in no time as most of us don’t want to spend our weekend cooking. Another recommendation of a ‘game night’ pops in as others insist on go-karting. Somehow, planning a day out turns out to be more tiresome than meeting. No wonder most people drop off and say, ‘I am too tired’ or ‘Let’s do it next weekend.’This repetitive cycle goes on and on every weekend – different cafes, different ideas to hang out, and different hidden gems – but the conclusion? No place to meet at all. At this point, I don’t want a group chat with countless Instagram reels and map locations. All I need is to see my friends on weekends before the Monday blues kick in. — This rant comes from Mehwash H, who has spent more time planning weekends than enjoying them.
