Generally, Asians are real sticklers when it comes to customs and social etiquette and of course there are no exceptions when visiting Malaysia and our people. There are a few do’s and don’ts just to share with you - so as a visitor, it may reduce your chances of getting into uncomfortable situations.

Visiting Malaysian homes

Upon entering a Malaysian home, it is advisable to remove our shoes, leaving them at the entrance. To the Muslims, of which all Malays are, prayers are sometimes conducted in the living room and soiled floor makes it unsuitable for prayers to be carried out. In villages, most often there would be an urn filled with fresh rainwater where the visitor can wash their feet before entering the front house.

To the other races, removing of shoes upon entering a home has become a social habit. The hosts themselves will usually leave their footwear at the entrance to the house.

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. After all, you may be the only one in the crowd with shoes on if you don’t.

Social Greetings

As with many modern societies, the western method of greeting with a firm handshake is now considered a norm. However, this also has to be taken on a case-by-case basis. More situational would be, when or whether it is deemed an offence to kiss the recipient on greeting or farewell. Perhaps this should only be attempted when you become all so familiar with the person!

The Malays

The Malays’ handshake is known as a ‘salam’, a touching of palms. Both hands are extended to sandwich the recipient’s right hand, and retracted bringing the right hand to touch his or her own chest. This gesture completes the body movement signifying a receipt of thanks and acceptance.

The Chinese

It is a norm with the Chinese especially the older generation that a nod and a smile will suffice as a form of greeting. Otherwise a firm handshake will do.

The Indians

Traditionally, Indians greet by placing their palms together with the fingers pointing upwards, brought to the chest level and head bowed down as if to meet the fingers.

Nowadays,a firm handshake is widely accepted.

The Orang Asli (The indigenous peoples)

When greeting the indigenous people, it is best to greet by bowing your head upon meeting. They are friendly to strangers but at the same time extremely cautious. Handshakes are more common between men; and with indigenous peoples who have had more contact with outsiders. It is also a common practice to bring gifts such as clothing or pencils and sweets for the children, when visiting the indigenous tribes.

Handshakes between genders

However, sometimes handshakes or any other form of physical contact are not recommended between different sexes. The reason being that the Malay and a Muslim person may have already performed their ablutions i.e. they have made preparations to conduct prayers. Such physical contact with the opposite gender would mean that they would have to repeat their ablutions for prayers.

‘It’s rude to point!’

Now how many times have you been reminded of that? So should you wish to point at something or somebody as a point of reference, the rule of thumb is to point with the thumb.

In no circumstances should you point with your feet! Unless the whole pointing exercise is to direct you unwittingly to the nearest exit with no repeat invitation from your host.

Choosing right from left

As with traditions, 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.

The other races have no preference in this field.

Dress Code

As a standard rule, it is respectful to dress more conservatively in public places, especially if you are visiting out of city centres. This must be adhered vehemently in the eastern states of Peninsular Malaysia where the state governments conduct their affairs according to strict Muslim governance.

- On the beach

Tourist bound islands such as Pulau Langkawi, Pulau Pinang and Pulau Pangkor, refrain from walking around public beaches in skimpy swimwear. As many young people are not exposed to such expressions of freedom, this may invoke a little bit of hassling. So ladies, if you are unaccustomed to wolf-whistles or confrontations….. do cover up! It is not unusual to find Malay women sunning at the beach fully covered.

- At places of worship

As with all places of worship, decency and respect is practised. Therefore dress conservatively.

Mosques

All visitors are required to cover their arms and legs and women are required to don a headscarf. Remember to remove your shoes before entering the mosque. A few larger mosques such as the Shah Alam Mosque and the National mosque, provide robes for inappropriately dressed visitors.

Chinese Temples and Hindu Kuils

Many temples request visitors to remove footwear before entering the main hall where the large altar is positioned. It is also preferable that visitors do not wear too skimpily.