ESL Blogs

This coming 31st August 2014, we Malaysians are 57 years old. Well, actually the country is much older than that, if taking into consideration that one of the oldest rainforests (130 millions years old) is in Malaysia, but it is 57 years of independence from the British rules. In the spirit of being independent, I want to share with all of you something unique, weird and quirky about Malaysians. In fact I've written a similar subject in my previous blog; Only In Malaysia, but in this blog I want to share with you how you know you've met a Malaysian even when you see them from 1 km away. LOL

1. Car Signal Indicator Is Only For Accessory

Most Malaysians loath to use their car signal indicator. I don't know why. Maybe we are afraid that someone would overtake us when ever we use our car indicator to change lane, to go to the right or left or even just to park our car. But if any of you want to drive a car in Malaysia, try to learn to anticipate what the other driver going to do. To have some psychic skills really help. LOL

2. You Are A Brother/Sister/Uncle/Auntie To Everyone

On day to day street conversations, most Malaysians will address strangers as "Abang - Brother", "Kakak - Sister", "Pak Cik - Uncle", "Mak Cik - Auntie" and other family terms. It seems that we are related to each other, no matter who we are. Sometimes you're being addressed as an 'Amoi - Sister in Mandarin', or "Anne - Brother in Tamil', or "Macha - Brother-in-law in Tamil".

3. "Lah" Is Malaysian Universal Expression

When ever you talk to Malaysians, don't be confused whenever we end our sentences with the universal expression 'lah'. 'Lah' can means everything and anything. It can indicate surprise; "Why so expensive, lah?". It can indicate disbelief; "Why today is so hot lah". It can just a simple invitation; "Come, lah". Basically, 'lah' is adaptable to any situation, as adaptable as Malaysians can be.

4. Malaysians Have Our Own Time

When ever you make an appointment or meeting or anything that involves time, please allow yourself some leeway. We Malaysians will only follow our own time, and not the universal time. For an example, if you say, "Can we meet with each other at 10.00 am tomorrow?". This sentence will be 'translated' to a Malaysian as "Can we meet with each other at 10.30 am, or later, tomorrow?". Don't feel frazzle when ever you did not see the said person at the said time. Allow yourself a 30 minutes leeway, at least.

5. Malaysians Celebrate Every Festival

Malaysians love celebrations. We celebrate nearly every festival, be it Chinese New Year, Thaipusam, Wesak, Eid Mubarak, Deevali or Christmas. We take this opportunity to abandon our cities and go back to our hometowns. We call this 'balik kampung'. It doesn't matter if you don't have a hometown, for a typical Malaysian hometown means a small village or township, it's your 'obligation' to go somewhere, anywhere except hiding in your own house during any festivals. So, most cities seem to be 'abandoned' during any of these festivals.

Finally, I want to share with you a video about what's it's like to be a Malaysian from a Mat Salleh's, a general name given to a Western foreigner, point of view. Even though it's just a commercial, but it does reflects what a Malaysian is all about.