Here are some things that are different about the Malayan culture compared to the US:
- You don't cross your legs when in the presence of someone who is your elder
- You point with your thumb resting on a fist instead of your index finger
- Women are only allowed to wear shorts to work out – otherwise, knees should be covered
And my favorite of all [meaning, the one I do the most without realizing it]…….
- The equivalence of the middle finger in America: smacking your fist into the palm of your other hand
I have been seen doing this on the street corner waiting to cross the road, in PenHOP during worship, while talking to our local contact, basically, all the time. It's just a subconscious habit that I do when I have nothing in my hands; heck, my team has even caught me doing it with things in my hand, like my cell phone.
After two weeks of being in this country, I am getting better at not flipping people off. Just the other day, I caught myself mid swing of the arms, and slowly reversed directions before my hands met.
In a month where our actions are all we have to use to preach the Gospel, nothing says "Jesus loves you" like flipping people off! Just kidding. It's so innocent in my mind, but connotation is everything…
Oh well… Here's to two more weeks WITHOUT flipping any one off!
