Greetings
Author
Nina Evason,
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- Greetings are very important in Malaysia and are thought to indicate the respect you will show an individual from then on.
- When greeting a group of people, the oldest person should be greeted first.
- Always address individuals according to their appropriate titles (i.e. Mr, Mrs, Doctor) unless they specifically ask you to speak more casually. If you indicate that you prefer to be addressed on a first-name basis, you may find they feel more comfortable continuing to use your title and last name.
- The common Malay verbal greeting is “Salaam”.
- Elders may be addressed as “pakcik” (uncle) or “makcik” (aunty) out of respect. You may similarly be referred to in this way by people younger than yourself.
- The common greeting across all ethnicities is a handshake. However, physical contact between men and women is frowned upon in most circumstances. If greeting a Malaysian woman, wait to see if she extends her hand first before offering to shake.
- People may put one hand over their chest and give a slight nod to greet those they perceive are unaccustomed to being touched.
- Muslim Malays may greet people of the same gender by using both hands to grasp the other person’s.
- Formal greetings involve extending both hands to the recipient's right hand and placing it between one’s own. The individual then makes a small bow and places their own right hand on their heart.
- Bow the head slightly to greet someone older. If in a more formal setting, place the forehead or the tip of the nose on the back of the elder recipient's hand.
- Older Malaysian Chinese may lower their gaze out of respect during a greeting.