Inside a mosque don't walk in front of someone who is praying, don't touch the Koran and never sit or stand on prayer rug. Get your dream travel planned & booked by local travel experts. According to destination-asia.com: âDonât offer to shake hands unless you know that your acquaintances are fairly westernized. In general, most Malays are aware of Western ways so the handshake is normal. Business Etiquette in Singapore. There is a greater chance of achieving a good outcome if you are calm, whereas little is resolved by shouting. Many Malaysians do not understand the Western propensity to respond to a question hastily and can consider such behaviour thoughtless and rude. Also, don't cross your legs in front of an older people and don't step over someone who is sitting down Show respect, remain quiet and stay out of the way. 2) Avoid using left hand. "Koran states the right hand is more honorable.â 3) Public displays of affection between different sexes is frowned upon. The salaam is only used when greeting men. You are required to take off your shoes and clean your feet at the entrance. Leftovers should not be left on the tablecloth; 5) After eating, the cutlery should be arranged neatly and not scattered about; 6) If food is stuck in your teeth, avoid picking at it with your fingers. This device is used to conceal uneasiness. Malaysian business giftsare not usually exchanged as they may be perceived as a bribe. Doâs and Donâts: 1) Do smile when you greet people.It is normal to see people in the tourist industry to greet visitors by placing their right hand over the left breast. 4) Donât bring up the topic of ethnic relations in Malaysia or the political system: They are both sensitive subjects. Men should not shake hands with women unless the women extend their hands first. 2) Do dress neatly when entering places of worship. Men and women may shake hands, although the woman must extend her hand first. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit. Kuala Lumpur follows a normal week but the conservative state of Kelantan follows the Muslim week. Some people take two or three showers a day because of the humidity. Text Sources: New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Times of London, Lonely Planet Guides, Library of Congress, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Comptonâs Encyclopedia, The Guardian, National Geographic, Smithsonian magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Newsweek, Reuters, AP, AFP, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic Monthly, The Economist, Foreign Policy, Wikipedia, BBC, CNN, and various books, websites and other publications. Malays and Indians wash themselves every time they go to the bathroom. Never put your feet on a table. Malaysia is a multi-ethnic society. The process is often a long and detailed one that should not be hastened. Otherwise gifts are usually given keeping in mind whether the recipients are Malays, Chinese or Indians. Donât touch the head of an adult and donât point the bottom of your feet at anyone. By ExpatGo Staff. Homosexuality is illegal in Malaysia. In more metropolitan areas such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang, with a significant non-Muslim population, attitudes are more liberal. The different rules for different ethnical groups already apply to handshakes. Different ethnic groups address each using different names. Recommended business gifts in Malaysia include good quality pens, desk accessories, or region… Inside home do not touch the Koran or sit or stand on a prayer rug. Gift giving to Indians: If you give flowers, avoid frangipani as they are used in funeral wreaths.⢠Money should be given in odd numbers.⢠Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands if the item is large.⢠Do not wrap gifts in white or black.⢠Wrap gifts in red, yellow or green paper or other bright colors as these bring good fortune.⢠Do not give leather products to a Hindu.⢠Do not give alcohol unless you are certain the recipient drinks.⢠Gifts are generally not opened when received. Greetings in a social context will depend upon the ethnicity of the person you are meeting. Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion. Avoid touching anyone of the opposite sex. Honest Curiosity. You may hear Malaysians criticize their own government, but you do not need to take sides; just listen and feel free to talk about your feelings about your own government. Malaysia Training. Southeast Asians are very family-oriented and celebrations are a chance to meet extended kinsmen. Be sure to reciprocate with a gift of equal value. Each has its own preferences for cuisine, dress, speech, religion, … Back to Main Topic. Women can of course shake hands with women. When sitting in the floor women should tuck their legs underneath them and men should sit cross legged. As a result, Muslim Malays never eat or touch someone with their left hand. The Muslim faithful are expected to remove their shoes and wash their feet in a sacred basin before they enter the mosque. 7) Don't gesture by pointing. 5) Do be wary that same-sex relationships are a taboo subject in Malaysia. Traditional Malay feast is laid down on the floor. Fodor's may use your email address to send you relevant information on site updates, account changes, and offers. At mainland beaches, bring a wrap-around as well as a swimsuit so you wonât feel conspicuous; Malay women usually go swimming fully dressed and some keep their scarves on. Separated by the South China Sea into Peninsular Malaysia and Malaysian Borneo, it is home to over 30 million culturally diverse and multilingual people. The gesture is used when saying goodbye. 4) Show respect towards elders. Pausing before responding to a question indicates that they have given the question appropriate thought and considered their response carefully. Etiquette in Malaysia. Most meals come with pancake-like bread that is used to scoop up the food which is usually something that resembles stew. Malaysia Business Basics, Visas, Safety, and Etiquette Malaysia is a country made up of multiple distinct cultures, predominantly ethnically Malay, Chinese, and Indian (principally Tamil). Silence is an important element of Malaysian communication. Thus Anwar Ibrahim would be greeted as Mr. Anwar. 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