What happens in Malaysia, stays in Malaysia…🤫

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Romanian Katie shares her experiences adapting to Malaysian culture after moving there in 2012. She discusses the challenges of understanding local English slang, building trust with locals, and the joys of Malaysian cuisine. With two children born and raised in Malaysia, Katie appreciates the multicultural exposure they receive. She also talks about her family's travel habits within Malaysia, their love for Kota Kinabalu, and their decision to invest in a beach house there. Cultural differences, service industry insights, and personal anecdotes, including an unexpected pregnancy shortly after arriving in Malaysia, add depth to her story.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Katie, originally from Romania, moved to Malaysia in 2012 with no long-term plans but ended up staying, having a family, and deeply integrating into the local culture.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 She and her family have assimilated Malaysian culture to the extent that they miss it when abroad, highlighting the strong influence of local customs and food on their lives.
• 🍲 Katie appreciated the historical and cultural significance behind Malaysian dishes, which took her some time to discover and enjoy.
• 🗣️ She experienced a cultural shock initially, particularly with the local English accent and slang, but eventually adapted and even mimicked the Malaysian way of speaking.
• 🤝 Building trust and friendships with locals involves sharing meals, discussing food, and being open to cultural exchanges, which Katie found to be a universal approach.
• 🏡 Katie and her family have lived in multiple houses across Malaysia, reflecting their adaptability and deep roots in the country.
• 👶 Her children are born and raised in Malaysia, and she emphasizes the multicultural exposure they receive as a significant advantage.
• 🏝️ The family enjoys traveling within Malaysia, particularly to Kota Kinabalu and lesser-known destinations like Kapas Island, indicating a preference for local exploration over popular tourist spots.
• 🚗 Katie noted that traffic and service industry could be areas for improvement in Malaysia, suggesting a need for better training and infrastructure.
• 🤝 When interacting with different ethnic groups in Malaysia, it's important to be respectful of cultural differences, such as alcohol consumption during Ramadan.
• 💼 Networking and building relationships in Malaysia often start with casual conversations and building trust, rather than directly jumping into business discussions.

Q & A

How long has Katie been in Malaysia?

Katie has been in Malaysia since 2012, which makes it 11 years at the time of the conversation.

What was Katie's initial reaction to Malaysian food?

Katie needed some time to get used to Malaysian food, but she eventually came to appreciate the value and history behind each dish.

Did Katie face any cultural shocks upon arriving in Malaysia?

Katie had to adapt to Malaysian slang, which was initially difficult for her to understand due to the strong accent.

How did Katie overcome the language barrier with local English?

Katie mimicked her Malaysian friends and spent time with them to get accustomed to the local English dialect.

What advice does Katie give to foreigners for building trust with Malaysians?

Katie suggests that foreigners should engage in food discussions and be open to sharing cultural experiences to build trust with Malaysians.

How does Katie describe Malaysia's multiculturalism?

Katie appreciates Malaysia's multiculturalism and has many local friends from various ethnic backgrounds, including Malay, Indian, and Chinese.

What are Katie's children's cultural exposures?

Katie's children are exposed to multiple cultures from a young age, as they are born and raised in Malaysia.

What are some of the places Katie and her family enjoy visiting in Malaysia?

Katie and her family enjoy visiting Kota Kinabalu, Penang, and a lesser-known island called Kapas for vacations.

What is Katie's opinion on the service industry in Malaysia?

Katie believes the service industry in Malaysia could improve with proper training, as she has experienced instances where service was lacking.

How does Katie handle cultural differences when interacting with different ethnic groups in Malaysia?

Katie is mindful of cultural differences and adjusts her approach when interacting with Chinese, Malay, and Indian Malaysians, showing respect for their customs and traditions.

What is Katie's strategy for networking in Malaysia?

Katie's networking strategy involves starting with casual conversations, finding common ground, and building trust before discussing business matters.

Can you share a memorable story Katie has from her time in Malaysia?

A memorable story from Katie's time in Malaysia is when she was offered a job in the hospitality industry and later house-sat for her employer in Switzerland.