Cross-cultural communication

1. CROSS CULTURAL
COMMUNICATION
MALAYSIA

2. • LOCATION: SOUTHEASTERN ASIA. SHARES BORDERS WITH THAILAND, INDONESIA,
SINGAPORE.
• CAPITAL: KUALA LUMPUR
• POPULATION: 30,073,353 (2014 EST.)
• ETHNIC MAKE-UP: MALAY 50.4%,
• CHINESE 23.7%,
• INDIGENOUS 11%,
• INDIAN 7.1%,
• OTHERS 7.8%
• RELIGIONS: MUSLIM 60.4%,
BUDDHIST 19.2%,
CHRISTIAN 9.1%,
HINDU 6.3%,
CONFUCIANISM, TAOISM, OTHER TRADITIONAL CHINESE RELIGIONS 2.6%,
OTHER OR UNKNOWN 1.5%, NONE 0.8%

3. MULTI CULTURAL
SOCIETY
• MALAYSIA IS A MULTI-CULTURAL SOCIETY. THE MAIN ETHNIC GROUPS ARE THE
NATIVE MALAYS AS WELL AS LARGE POPULATIONS OF CHINESE, AND INDIANS.

4. LANGUAGES
NATIVE LANGUAGE – MALAY( Bahasa Malaysia)
OTHER LANGUAGES – Indigenous Language(Sarawak, Dusun,
Kadazan, etc.)
English
Arabic
Chinese
INDIAN LANGUAGES( Tamil, Malayalam,
Telungu, etc.)
ADDRESSING
Malays should be addressed with a Mr., Mrs. Or Miss first
followed by the family name (which comes first).

5. GREETINGS
• Malays greet each other with
a salaam, in which two individuals
each extend both hand and grasp
both their hands somewhat like a
double handshake.
• The salaam is only used when
greeting men.
• Greet visitors by placing their
right hand over the left chest.
• Men should not shake hands with
women unless the women extend
their hands first.

6. COMMUNICATIO
N
• The communication style of Malaysian people is
influenced by the cultural value of saving face. For
Malaysian people, face of a person is very important
as losing face of another person in a conversation by
embarrassing them is considered to be very impolite.
• Malaysian people as when they would like to express
their disagreement, they prefer to say it in indirect
ways through the positive group of words.
• When meeting for the first time, Malaysian people
normally talk in general topics such as family, sports,
and future plans.

7. • If the topics of the conversation have gone deeper into direct
questions such as ethnics, religions, and politics, Malaysian people
will considered it to be rude.
• Malaysian people usually talk in soft tones with the long periods of
pause, which might last up to ten seconds, as Malaysian people
value silence between the conversations. Because it is essential
component of Malaysian communication style.
• They view people who speak with the loud noise. They consider
them as one who has no self-disciplines.
Non verbal communication
• In Malaysia, making physical contacts when meeting for the first
time is considered to be impolite, except only handshakes.
• When communicating with Malaysian people for the first time, a
direct eye contact is viewed as impolite.

8. PUBLIC CUSTOM
• 1) Don't eat while walking.
• 2) Avoid using left hand. “ The right hand is more honorable.”
• 3) Public displays of affection between different sexes is frowned
upon.
• 4) Show respect towards elders.
• 5) Don't cross your legs in front of an older people and don't step
over someone with crossed legs who is sitting down.
• 6) Don't pat someone on the head.
• 7) Don't gesture by pointing.
• 8) Placing the hands on the hips indicates anger.
• 9) Malaysians often laugh when embarrassed.
• 10) Don't expose the soles of your feet. Never put your feet on a
table.

9. GIFTING
GENERAL GIFT GIVING ETIQUETTE GUIDELINES
(MALAYS)
• If invited to someone's home for dinner, bring the hostess pastries or
good quality chocolates.
• Never give alcohol.
• Do not give toy dogs or pigs to children.
• Do not give anything made of pigskin.
• Avoid white wrapping paper as it symbolizes death and mourning.
• Avoid yellow wrapping paper, as it is the color of royalty.
• If you give food, it must be “halal” (meaning permissible for muslims).
• Offer gifts with the right hand only or both hands if the item is large.
• Gifts are generally not opened when received.

10. BUSINESS ETIQUETTE AND PROTOCOL IN
MALAYSIA
MEETING AND GREETING
Within the business context most Malaysian business people are
culturally-savvy and internationally exposes. . The best approach is always
friendly yet formal.
• Initial greetings should be formal and denote proper respect.
• If in a team, introduce the most important person first.
• Many Malays are uncomfortable shaking hands with a member of the
opposite sex.
• Foreign men should always wait for a Malaysian woman to extend her
hand. Foreign women should also wait for a Malaysian man to extend his
hand.
• It is important that professional titles (professor, doctor, engineer) and

11. BUSINESS CARD
ETIQUETTE
• Business cards are exchanged after the initial introductions.
• If you will be meeting government officials, have one side of your
card translated into Bahasa Malaysia.
• Use two hands or the right hand only to exchange business cards.
• Examine any business card you receive before putting it in your
business card case.
• The respect you show someone's business card is indicative of the
respect you will show the individual in business. Act accordingly.
• Never write on someone's card in their presence

12. BUSINESS MEETINGS
• It is a good idea for the most senior person on your team to enter
first so that he or she is the first to greet the most senior
Malaysian.
• This gives face to both parties as it demonstrates respect towards
the Malaysian and shows that you respect hierarchy within your
company.
• It is customary for leaders to sit opposite each other around the
table.
• Many companies will have their team seated in descending rank,
although this is not always the case. Expect the most senior
Malaysian to give a brief welcoming speech. You need not
reciprocate.

13. • Meetings may be conducted or continue over lunch and dinner.
• Meetings, especially initial ones, are generally somewhat formal.
• Treat all Malaysian participants with respect and be cautious not
to lose your temper or appear irritated.
• At the first meeting between two companies, Malaysians will
generally not get into in-depth discussions. They prefer to use the
first meeting as an opportunity to get to know the other side and
build a rapport, which is essential in this consensus-driven
culture.

14. DINING
ETIQUETTE
Malay cuisine is known for its unique and distinctive flavors.
There are many dishes that one cannot stop savoring.
The native Malays consume halal food and are against
consuming alcohol and pork. Make sure you refrain from
asking for the same in halal restaurants or Malay homes.
1. Traditional Malay homes prefer being seated on the floor
while having meals. However, modern Malay homes do have
dining tables and seaters.
2. Bring a small gift for your host or hostess or some
delicacies and a souvenir from your home country.
3. Wait till you are shown your seat on the table (by the host).
The guests are seated to the left hand side of the elder most
member of the family. It is a way of respecting the guest.

15. 4. Wait for the host to signal when you can start eating.
To start eating without being asked to, shows disrespect
and could also mean you are in a hurry to leave
5. Using of the left hand should be strictly avoided,
either to serve food or eat. The left hand is use for
washroom purposes and should be strictly avoided on
the dining table.
6. Allow the elders to take the serving first (in case you
both reach for food at the same time)
7. Each grain of rice is sacred and must not be wasted. It
is advisable to scoop enough rice for your own
consumption and not too much.
8. Toothpicks are placed next to the plates. Always cover
your mouth with the left hand while using them.

16. DRESS
ETIQUETTE
• Men should wear a suit, with dark
pants, a long-sleeved shirt and a tie.
• Women can wear skirts, trousers or a
traditional dress. Revealing clothes are
inappropriate. Garments, fully covering
a woman's body, or headscarfes are
very common.

17. THANK
YOU