General taboosinMalaysia:

the eastern part of peninsula Malaysia, which is less ethnically diverse and populated by

Touching someones head. Malaysian people believe that the most scared part of a

Swimwear. There are many beautiful beaches in Malaysia, lots of which are frequented by

persons body is their head, as this is where the soul resides. You should only touch another

foreign visitors. Before stripping down to your swimsuit and diving in, however, its

persons head (including children) if you know them very well and are certain they will not

advisable to take a look around you. If this is a place where the only other swimmers are

find this offensive.

Malaysian woman wearing their clothes or a wetsuit, this is likely not a place where skimpy

Using your feet. In order to be respectful you should avoid pointing at anything or anyone

swimwear is appropriate.

with your feet, or resting them on a table. Make sure never to cross your legs or point your

Public affection. Displaying physical affection (or even simply touching) someone of the

feet towards anything considered to be sacred in Malaysia, including religious buildings or

opposite sex is considered inappropriate in Malaysia, and should be avoided. Muslim Malay

images.

women are likely to refrain from shaking a mans hand, and a willingness to do so could to

Using your hands. When you are eating or passing something to another person, try to

interpreted negatively. Physical contact between people of the same sex is generally

only use your right hand. In Malaysia the left hand is considered dirty as it is the hand

perceived as a sign of brotherly/sisterly affection, and its not uncommon to see two men or

used when you go to the bathroom, and using it for eating or anything else is considered

two women holding hands.

inappropriate.

Respecting hierarchy. Hierarchy is very important in Malaysian culture, and respect

Pointing fingers. In Malaysia it is considered to be very rude to point with your index

should always be shown to elders and those of a higher social status. Publically challenging

finger, particularly if you are pointing at another person. If you need to point something or

an authority figure will not go down well in Malaysia, and should be avoided.

someone out, use your thumb on your right hand with your fingers pointed inwards.

Family matters. Because social standing is so important in Malaysia, it is not uncommon

Lose the shoes. As with many South East Asian countries, in Malaysia it is customary to

for new acquaintances (or even strangers) to ask personal questions about you, your family,

remove your shoes before entering a house, temple, or sometimes even shop. If you arent

and your religion. Women visiting Malaysia may be asked what their father/husband does

certain whether you should remove your shoes take a look to see what the Malaysian people

(yes, really!), and single women may be asked why they are not yet married.

around you are doing, or just ask!

Drinking up. As Malaysia is a Muslim country, alcohol is not widely consumed (or even

Fork and spoon. Most food in Malaysia is eaten with a fork and a spoon. General etiquette

available) outside of Kuala Lumpur and tourist resorts. Anticipate that alcohol will be more

is to hold the spoon in your right hand, and to use the fork to push food on to the spoon.

expensive than other countries in South East Asia, and public drunkenness will likely not be

Food is then eaten from the spoon

well received. Some guesthouses will also prefer that you do not drink alcohol on their

Dressing appropriately. Malaysia is a Muslim country, and so to be respectful visitors

premises, so make sure you check before buying beers to drinkin your room, for example.

should try to dress as conservatively as possible. More Western clothing is common in

Keeping face. As with many countries in this region, being respected or maintaining

Kuala Lumpur and acceptable at beaches, however you would still need to be appropriately

face is very important to many people in Malaysia. If you lose your temper with or

covered to visit a mosque. Some mosques will actually have the necessary clothes available

embarrass someone, this will cause them to lose face, which can be hard to cope with and

for you to borrow. Conservative dress covering your legs and arms is particularly true on

difficult to regain.

largely traditional Muslim communities.

MR. TRISTAN BRENDON TANN 2016

1. Categorize the taboos according to the races/region that you have found into the boxes below.
Chinese

Malay

Indian

Sabah

Sarawak

2. In your own words, what are your personal opinions about these taboos? Should society follow these forbidden practices or should we forget them?
Give your reasons.

HOTS

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MR. TRISTAN BRENDON TANN 2016