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Month 3 (March)
Malaysia
 
       
Location: Southeastern Asia. Shares borders with Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei.
Capital: Kuala Lumpur
Climate: tropical; 59- 70 degrees F depending on altitude, different areas experience monsoons

Population: 25,715,819 (July 2009 est.)

Ethnic Make-up: Malay 50.4%, Chinese 23.7%, indigenous 11%, Indian 7.1%, others 7.8%

Religions: Muslim 60.4%, Buddhist 19.2%, Christian 9.1%, Hindu 6.3%, Confucianism, Taoism, other traditional Chinese religions 2.6%, other or unknown 1.5%, none 0.8%

Government: constitutional monarchy

Currency: Ringgit
-The largest ethnic groups in Malaysia are the Malays, Chinese and
Indians. In Sabah and Sarawak, there are a myriad of indigenous ethnic
groups with their own unique culture and heritage.
-Malays eat with their hands and the right hand is used for this function. In this, giving and receiving things are also handled with the right.
 
-Nasi Kandar, a dish unique to Malaysia and brought by the imgrating Indian Muslims, is the favorite food of many Malaysians.


-Malay women may not shake hands with men. Women can of course shake hands with women. Men may also not shake hands with women and may bow instead while placing their hand on their heart.

 
-Introduce the most important person to the lower ranking person, the older person to the younger person and women to men.


 
-Western women should greet Malay men with a nod of their head and
a smile. Never touch anyone on the top of the head (home of the soul),
especially a child. Avoid touching anyone of the opposite sex. Public affection is a no no!
–
Sepak Takraw is a traditional ball game in which a ball, made by weaving strips of
buluh or bamboo, is passed about using any part of the body except the
lower arms and hands. (it’s like playing ping pong but with your body instead of a paddle!)
 

-Many Malays do not have surnames. Instead, men add their father’s name to their own name with the term “bin” (meaning ‘son of’). So Rosli bin Suleiman, would be Rosli the son of Suleiman. 
Women use the term “binti“, so Aysha bint Suleiman is Aysha the daughter of Suleiman

-If invited to someone’s home for dinner, bring the hostess pastries or good quality chocolates.

-Avoid white wrapping paper as it symbolizes death and mourning.
-Avoid yellow wrapping paper, as it is the color of royalty.

-Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands if the item is large.

-Silence is an important element of Malaysian communication. Pausing before responding to a question indicates that they have given the question appropriate thought and considered their response carefully. Answering to quickly can be seen as rude.

-Take your shoes off!  There will be times when the host will insist foreigners refrain from taking off their footwear but even so it would be an appreciated gesture if you politely decline the offer.

-Giving a slight bow when leaving, entering or passing by people means, “excuse me.”

-Hitting your fist into a cupped hand is obscene. Hands in pockets signify anger.(No fist pumps!)

-Sabah is home to the Rafflesia, the largest flower in the world. (supposedly it smells like rotting meat!)

 
The Kuala Lumpur Tower is the fourth tallest in the world and tallest in Southeast Asia and stands at 1,381feet!