Malaysia: The Essential Guide to Customs & Culture (Culture Smart!)

The Federation of Malaysia, a nation of 27 million people and aconstitutional monarchy and democracy, is one of the successfulnewly industrializing countries of the Asia Pacific region.Although relatively small, Malaysia was an economically vital partof the British Empire, and a major exporter of a number of primaryproducts and natural resources.In many respects Malaysia is a modern nation-state, and from apredominantly rural society in the immediate postwar years it hasbecome an increasingly urbanised one. Nevertheless, elements of thetraditional past remain. The country still presents the visitorwith an exciting and fascinating medley of cultures—Malay, Chinese,Indian, Arab, Eurasian, Dayak, and aboriginal. These communitieshave retained, though in a much changed form, a considerable amountof their cultural heritage, and Malaysia continues to demonstratethe virtues of a culturally diverse, exotic, and vibrant “pluralsociety” in customs, religion, festivals, costume, cuisine,language, and architecture.To help foreign visitors and residents navigate this rich andcomplex cultural mix, Culture Smart! Malaysia provides a succinctand straightforward introduction to Malaysian history and society.It explains the deeper core values of the different ethnic groups,and guides you through Malaysian etiquette and behaviour. Most ofall, it will help readers approach these new experiences withgreater sensitivity and poise.