Malaysia

Malaysia donts:

• Do not offend, scold or reprimand a Malaysian, neither in public nor privately. This causes major loss of face and damages the relationship beyond repair.
• Do not use the right forefinger  to point at places, objects or people. Instead, the thumb of the right hand with four fingers folded under is the preferred usage.
• Do not touch the head of an adult. The head is viewd as the most sacred body port.
• Do not kiss anyone in public-not romantically anyway.
• Do not point the bottom of your feet at anyone.
• Do not offer to shake hands unless you know that your acquaintances are fairly Westernized. Even then, let them offer to shake first. Never shake hands with women unless they offer to do so first.
• Do not bring up the topic of ethnic relations in Malaysia or the political system: they are both sensitive subjects.
• Do not touch touch or hand a monk something. Even accidentally brushing against their robes requires that they fast and perform a cleansing ritual.
• Do not pound your fist into the palm of the other hand is considered an obscene gesture to some people.
• Do not ever involve in illegal drugs. There is a mandatory death penalty for trafficking.
• Do not drink alcohol. The country’s large Muslim population does not drink alcohol.

Malaysia dos:

• Do call before visiting a friend and inform of one's arrival.
• Do dress neatly when entering places of worship. Do wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts.
• Do remove your shoes  when entering a Malaysian home or when visiting places of worship such as Mosque or Temple.
• Do enter the shrine with your left foot first, and exit by leading with your right foot. This gesture symbolically represents a whole.
• Do use the right hand when eating with one's hand or giving and receiving objects.
• Do bear in mind, that in Malaysia dining etiquette, burping or belching after a meal is acceptable.
• Do convert most of your currency in Malaysia. There is restriction of bringing large amounts of ringgit (Malaysia’s currency) into or out of the country.