CHAPTER 4

CULTURE AND
INTERACTIONS
Interacting with Malaysian
What is Cultural Interaction

Cultural Interaction is when two or more different, native or non-

native cultures or tribes interact or interfere with each other in a
positive or negative way.
Verbal Communication
◦ It means communicating with words, written or spoken. Verbal
communication consists of speaking, listening, writing and
reading.
◦ Languages: Malay, English, Chinese, Tamil and other tribal
languages.
◦ Denotative – the general meaning of a word. It is the meaning or
meanings appearing next to each word in the dictionary.
◦ Connotative – refers to overtones and implications associated
with a word or an object.
Nonverbal Communication
◦ Includes all unwritten and unspoken messages, both intentional
and unintentional.
◦ Nonverbal communication sends meaning through some means
other than words, such as eye contact, body language, and
space and time usage (Knapp and Hall 2002).
◦ Verderber et al. (2009) stated that the most important areas of
nonverbal communication are three; namely: Body language
which is called the kinesics communication, characterized with
using facial expressions, body movement and postures.
◦ Only 7% of a message’s effect is carried by words ; listeners
receive the other 93% through non -verbal means.
◦ Over 65 percent of the social meaning of the messages we send
to others are communicated non-verbally.
 NONVERBAL
COMMUNICATION AND
CULTURAL INTERPRETATION
Interacting with Malaysian

◦ When interacting with Malaysians, bear in mind that it is a

multicultural country, so practices vary between the different
cultural groups.
◦ Malaysians believe that being too direct can be interpreted a
rudeness and even offensive – less direct.
◦ HOW DO WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE THINKING AND NOT SAYING?
Verbal Communication and
Cultural Interpretation
◦ CODE-SWITCHING & CODE-MIXING
◦ USING LAH
Code-switching & Code-
mixing
◦ Why do Malaysians mix English with Malay phrase when they
speak?
◦ Malaysians in the urban areas tend to interlace their spoken
English with Malay lexis phrases and idiomatic expressions when
they meet and talk with another. Why code-switch?
1. To establish rapport and understanding among Malaysians of
mixed ethnic origin.
2. To reduce formalities in conversing in the English language.
Example
◦ Ali: Please pinjam me your bike, I need it lah.
◦ Mus: The last time you pinjam (borrow) my bike rode like a hantu
(ghost) and langgar lamp post.
USING LAH

◦ What does the word ‘lah’ mean? When do you use it and why?
◦ The use of lah is a uniquely Malaysian language expression to
show solidarity between speakers. It is a form of verbal
punctuation for emphasis to indicate positive rapport and
relationship between the sender and receiver.
◦ It can also be regarded as something of a joke among
Malaysians – but yet it adds color and add a unique quality to the
varieties of Malaysian English.
Non Verbal Communication
and Cultural Interpretation
◦ Gesture
◦ Greeting
◦ Giggle
◦ Touching and Posture
Gesture
◦ The gestures are related to the values of respect for elders,
being courteous and showing humility.
◦ Pointing is normally done using the thumb as using the
forefinger is considered rude.
◦ Malaysians are likely to lower their bodies when they walk
in front of others who are seated.
◦ WHAT is the meaning of the head nodding among Indians?
Greeting
◦ There is no typical form of greeting in Malaysia. Although the
Western style handshake is often used with foreigners, greeting
style vary between different ethnic groups and religious groupings
with regards to status, seniority and achieved titles.
◦ Normally, the Indian and Chinese handshake is generally the
strong clasp of the Westerner while the Malay handshake is limp
and less firm or softer as the hands are lightly held and then
withdrawn to touch one’s heart. This signifies that the gesture of a
greeting handshake is also from the heart.
GIGGLE
◦ Foreigner have observed that Malaysian women often giggle
when they do not know how to respond to difficult questions.
WHY??
◦ Female employees who have been rebuked or reprimanded
tend to giggle and close their mouths to mask anger, shock or
embarrassment.
◦ While it is impolite to say “I don’t know” and then cover their
mouths, giggling is a way to relieve stress and lessen impact of
losing face.
TOUCHING and POSTURE

◦ Malaysians discourage any overt display of affection, passion or

sexual emotion such as holding hands, physical touching
between gender and kissing in public area.
◦ Even giving a pat on the cheek as a form of greeting, placing
one’s feet on a desk, pointing the soles of one’s shoes towards a
person are considered offensive and rude.
 DRESSING FOR MALAYSIAN
◦ The richness and diversity of
Malaysian traditional costumes
can be seen throughout the length
and breadth of Malaysia. There is a
great variety of beautiful costumes
which differ in style and design from
state to state. Such as baju kurung,
saris, samfu/ cheongsam, baju
kebaya etc
Dressing – Formal Function
FEMALE MALE

Fully clothed and not reveal ◦ A long-sleeved and long

parts of their body and legs trousers
◦ Short s and casual shirts – can
be perceived as a mark of
disrespect
Eating Together
◦ FOOD, CEREMONIES AND CELEBRATION – WHY do Malaysians
spend so much effort on having and preparing for them???
◦ Food plays an important role in the Malaysian culture, as eating is
a symbolic act to preserve friendship and strengthen networking
in all groups.
◦ Open house is an extension of building solidarity through eating
and being together, now extended into a celebration of ethnic
co-existence in Malaysia.
◦ Food is also important during ceremonies such as marriages, birth
of a child and death. In any marriage, the type of food prepared
reflects the hospitality of the host towards the guests.
◦ For Chinese, food symbolizes wealth and prosperity such as shark
fin, abalone, bird nest.
◦ Chinese using chopsticks. Indian and Malays, eat using right
hands.
Asking probing questions
◦ To build rapport, build common grounds and develop
interpersonal relationships with those meet for the first time.
Guidelines on Interacting with
Malaysians
◦ Cultivate relationship before asking for task.
◦ Show sensitivity by being empathetic, speaking slowly, clearly,
softly, and smiling a lot.
◦ When giving feedback, make sure that the information being
conveyed is accurate and appropriately channeled.
◦ Deliver negative feedback by phrasing the information in a way
that will not cause other person to lose face.
◦ Read non-verbal communication.
◦ Resolve conflict by indirect approach.