A cultural travel guide to the world

Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Understanding local customs is where a journey begins. Find the topics that matter to you and feel at ease wherever you go.

Malaysia

1 rules found

Cultural sensitivitiesEveryday mannersPlace-specific guidance · Malaysia

Malaysia: pass things and eat with your right hand

Do

  • Use your right hand to eat with your fingers, to pass and receive things, and to shake hands
  • To point the way, make a loose fist and point with your right thumb

Don’t

  • Pointing at people or things with your index finger

Not illegal, but seen as rude.

Not yet verifiedSource: Tourism Malaysia: travel guide

Site-specific notes 4

Taken from the "don'ts" on each site page here. Open a site for its full etiquette and background.

Petronas Twin Towers, Kuala Lumpur

  • Don't hand things over or point with your left hand
  • don't be loud or affectionate in mosques
  • don't be disrespectful about the royal family or religion
  • same-sex sexual activity is illegal under Malaysian federal law, and public displays of intimacy easily cause offence — please bear this in mind.

George Town, Penang

  • Don't pass judgement on any community's religious customs
  • don't eat or drink inside mosques or Hindu temples
  • don't touch or scribble on the murals when taking photos.

Nasi lemak

  • When eating with your hands, use only your right
  • don't bring pork or alcohol into a halal restaurant

Batu Caves

  • Clothes must cover shoulders and knees — wraps can be rented at the entrance
  • don't feed the monkeys, and keep a tight grip on food and plastic bags
  • don't disturb people at worship