country profile
Profile
Malaysia
WHAT'S UP WITH?MALAYSIA!!
Many people think Malaysians are lazy and that’s the stereotypical view which everyone has. The truth is everyone is lazy regardless of their race or country so why label a specific country for being lazy? Malaysians have accomplished many great achievements but everyone still calls them lazy which is not true.
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS:
1) Public meetings-
Don’t go for a handshake if you don’t know that person, let them offer to shake hands first. Don’t offer handshakes to a woman unless she offers first.
The traditional greeting or Salem resembles a handshake with both hands but without the grasp. The Chinese handshake is light and may be rather prolonged. Many older Chinese lower their eyes during the greeting as a sign of respect.
2) Home stays
It’s considered rude to cross legs in traditional homes in front of your host. This applies strictly on women. It’s considered as a sign of disrespect if you touch the head of an adult and point the bottom of your feet at anyone. Before entering a house people remove their shoes at the door and will it will be considered rude if you fail to do so.
3) Gift Giving Etiquette
For Malays: If invited to someone’s home for dinner, bring the hostess pastries or good chocolates. Never give alcohol. Avoid white wrapping paper as it symbolizes death and mourning; Avoid yellow wrapping paper, as it is the color of royalty. If you give food, it must be “halal” (meaning permissible for Muslims). Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands if the item is large; Gifts are generally not opened when received.
4) Cultural performances
Malaysia is a place where people from different ethnic backgrounds and race live together in harmony. Being such a multicultural place the different ethnicity of different people has helped the culture of the country to reflect in most of Malaysia’s music, dance, art and crafts. Music: The Traditional Malay music has originated in the Kelantan-Pattani region with influences from India, China, Thailand and Indonesia. Drama- Mak yong is one of Malaysia’s most prominent art forms. Mak yong is a traditional form of Malay drama in which the performer sings, dance and act out heroic legends about sultans and princesses.
CULTCHA VULTCHA
Communication is really different in Malaysia as its mostly nonverbal e.g. facial expression, voice tone and body language. Mostly Malaysians are not direct and they don’t say things directly and try to make it as polite as possible instead of saying “I can’t come tomorrow” they say “I will try”. Shouting and showing anger in public may make Malaysians uncomfortable so it’s better to be calm as they might talk to you when you are calm.
It’s really inappropriate to hug and kiss in public no matter how close you are to the opposite sex. Always use the right hand to pass or accept anything. The left is considered rude. Wearing hot pants, short skirts etc. are not appropriate for Malaysians. Appropriate dress is always required in mosques, and some temples, and you will often be required to remove your shoes. It is advisable for ladies when entering places of worship to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts.
Don’t talk about ethnic relations Malaysia or the political system .Those are the sensitive topics. Don’t criticize Malaysia, Malaysian government or the Malay royal families .You may hear other Malaysian criticizing their government but the tourists are not meant to do the same you can criticize your own government but don’t criticize the Malaysian government as it’s a very sensitive issue.
- Geography- Malaysia is located in South-East Asia, bordered by Thailand, Indonesia, and Brunei, and shares water boundaries with Singapore, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Malaysia has coasts along the South China Sea.
- History- The region has an ancient culture and a rich history. The nation of Malaysia is only about 50 years old. Malaysia's government is a constitutional monarchy.
- Economy- Malaysia was one of Asia's "tiger economies" prior to the 1997 crash, and has recovered nicely. It ranks 30th in the world in terms of per capita GDP,and only 5.1% of Malaysians live below the poverty line. Malaysia exports electronics, petroleum products, rubber, textiles and chemicals.
Many people think Malaysians are lazy and that’s the stereotypical view which everyone has. The truth is everyone is lazy regardless of their race or country so why label a specific country for being lazy? Malaysians have accomplished many great achievements but everyone still calls them lazy which is not true.
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS:
1) Public meetings-
Don’t go for a handshake if you don’t know that person, let them offer to shake hands first. Don’t offer handshakes to a woman unless she offers first.
The traditional greeting or Salem resembles a handshake with both hands but without the grasp. The Chinese handshake is light and may be rather prolonged. Many older Chinese lower their eyes during the greeting as a sign of respect.
2) Home stays
It’s considered rude to cross legs in traditional homes in front of your host. This applies strictly on women. It’s considered as a sign of disrespect if you touch the head of an adult and point the bottom of your feet at anyone. Before entering a house people remove their shoes at the door and will it will be considered rude if you fail to do so.
3) Gift Giving Etiquette
For Malays: If invited to someone’s home for dinner, bring the hostess pastries or good chocolates. Never give alcohol. Avoid white wrapping paper as it symbolizes death and mourning; Avoid yellow wrapping paper, as it is the color of royalty. If you give food, it must be “halal” (meaning permissible for Muslims). Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands if the item is large; Gifts are generally not opened when received.
4) Cultural performances
Malaysia is a place where people from different ethnic backgrounds and race live together in harmony. Being such a multicultural place the different ethnicity of different people has helped the culture of the country to reflect in most of Malaysia’s music, dance, art and crafts. Music: The Traditional Malay music has originated in the Kelantan-Pattani region with influences from India, China, Thailand and Indonesia. Drama- Mak yong is one of Malaysia’s most prominent art forms. Mak yong is a traditional form of Malay drama in which the performer sings, dance and act out heroic legends about sultans and princesses.
CULTCHA VULTCHA
Communication is really different in Malaysia as its mostly nonverbal e.g. facial expression, voice tone and body language. Mostly Malaysians are not direct and they don’t say things directly and try to make it as polite as possible instead of saying “I can’t come tomorrow” they say “I will try”. Shouting and showing anger in public may make Malaysians uncomfortable so it’s better to be calm as they might talk to you when you are calm.
It’s really inappropriate to hug and kiss in public no matter how close you are to the opposite sex. Always use the right hand to pass or accept anything. The left is considered rude. Wearing hot pants, short skirts etc. are not appropriate for Malaysians. Appropriate dress is always required in mosques, and some temples, and you will often be required to remove your shoes. It is advisable for ladies when entering places of worship to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts.
Don’t talk about ethnic relations Malaysia or the political system .Those are the sensitive topics. Don’t criticize Malaysia, Malaysian government or the Malay royal families .You may hear other Malaysian criticizing their government but the tourists are not meant to do the same you can criticize your own government but don’t criticize the Malaysian government as it’s a very sensitive issue.
PLACES TO VISIT
- Gunung mulu national park It’s famous because of its limestone formation and breath taking cave system. Located in Malaysian Borneo in the Sarawak state.
- PETRONAS Twin Towers-
- Malacca- Malacca-Spelled as 'Melaka’, Malaysia's Peranakan city is a worthwhile stop for cultural, historical, and colonial sites. UNESCO declared Malacca a World Heritage Site in 2008.
- Sepilok Rehabilition Centre-
Negative and positive impacts on local population and environments.
Sometimes tourism can have both positive and negative impacts one good thing about travelling to a new or a different country is that you won’t have any stereotype views on that country anymore as you have seen it from your own eyes instead of just listening to what people say. Tourism can sometimes be a threat to a region's natural and cultural resources, such as water supply, beaches, coral reefs and heritage sites, through overuse. It also increases littering, increased sewage production, pollution and noise. Tourism can also persuade the country to conserve their wildlife, protect their historical sites and build roads. The behaviour of tourist can have effect on the country and their people. Tourism can even be sometimes against human rights, with locals being displaced from their land to make way for new hotels. Interaction with tourists can also lead to an erosion of traditional cultures and values. Miscommunication can lead to many problems.
Up for the challenge!
The toughest part of the travel experience will be communication though everyone knows English in Malaysia but it’s mostly nonverbal communication and it’s about understanding them. Malaysians are sensitive over few issues so you must be careful when you talk. But your travel experience will be a lot of fun as Malaysia is a beautiful country and a very multicultural country you will see many different cultures and many different people living together in harmony.
Have a nice trip! live the adventure and explore beautiful Malaysia.
Sometimes tourism can have both positive and negative impacts one good thing about travelling to a new or a different country is that you won’t have any stereotype views on that country anymore as you have seen it from your own eyes instead of just listening to what people say. Tourism can sometimes be a threat to a region's natural and cultural resources, such as water supply, beaches, coral reefs and heritage sites, through overuse. It also increases littering, increased sewage production, pollution and noise. Tourism can also persuade the country to conserve their wildlife, protect their historical sites and build roads. The behaviour of tourist can have effect on the country and their people. Tourism can even be sometimes against human rights, with locals being displaced from their land to make way for new hotels. Interaction with tourists can also lead to an erosion of traditional cultures and values. Miscommunication can lead to many problems.
Up for the challenge!
The toughest part of the travel experience will be communication though everyone knows English in Malaysia but it’s mostly nonverbal communication and it’s about understanding them. Malaysians are sensitive over few issues so you must be careful when you talk. But your travel experience will be a lot of fun as Malaysia is a beautiful country and a very multicultural country you will see many different cultures and many different people living together in harmony.
Have a nice trip! live the adventure and explore beautiful Malaysia.