5 Truly Local Malaysian Traditions You Should Experience

While most holidaymakers do not venture beyond touristic Malaysia to uncover the country's true cultural identity, there are certain traditions we can all observe during a trip to the country. Those who are visiting Malaysia for the first time will find that local traditions in this part of the world are woven into everyday life and are at the centre of all cultural encounters. Here are some easy-to-spot Malaysian conventions that every holidaymaker can spot during a getaway to the country.

Food Culture

 One inescapable element of Malaysian culture is its undying love of food and dining on the go. This is the reason why food stalls, kiosks and restaurants in the country are not only open around the clock but accessible and ubiquitous in every village and town. Malaysians do not stick to strict meal times and love to grab a bite regardless of the time of day and the time elapsed since their last meal. The popularity of 24-hour cafeterias and hawker stalls can be traced back to this habit and the reason why Pasar Malam or night markets are also part of every town's retail landscape.  The after-dark hours are the best times to experience Malaysia's love affair with food and snacks as everything from meat on skewers to local burgers called Ramly are served up fresh and piping hot. No tour of Malaysia would be complete without dining at a Mamak roadside stall as it is where locals of all races and faiths gather to enjoy a meal together.

Multi-Lingual Speak in Malaysia

With so many cultures inhabiting one geographical terrain, it should come as no surprise that Malaysians like to mix words from at least 4 languages in everyday speech. With Tamil, Malay, Mandarin, English and Cantonese reigning supreme as the most widely spoken languages in the country, it is not unusual to see locals use words from all 4 tongues in common phrases. In fact, smattering Tamil and English words alongside Chinese words is how most locals communicate in daily life. The Malaysian education system is credited with making its populace proficient in more than two languages as all 4 languages are taught in some capacity in the school curriculum. Whether one is based at Travelodge Ipoh or any other hotel in Ipoh Perak, one is likely to encounter servers and waiting staff combining Malay and Tamil words with English or Cantonese expressions or vice versa.

Fusion Lifestyles

As with languages and food, the lifestyle of a conventional or typical Malaysian family is also an amalgamation of cultures and different heritages. It is not uncommon for a local household to prepare traditional Malaysian fare for breakfast enjoy Chinese noodles for lunch and have burgers for dinner. The fashion and clothing styles in Malaysia also reflect this mixing and matching of cultures while the architecture of local homes, furnishings and decor are just as multicultural.

United Celebrations

Malaysia's reputation as a politically stable and peaceful nation is due to how well different cultures co-exist within local society. Nowhere is this fact more evident than at local festivals and celebrations which are marked by all Malaysians regardless of their ethnicity and race. Chinese New Year, Christmas and Thaipusam are three red-letter national cultural festivals when every Malaysian gets into the spirit of the occasion and celebrates alongside their fellow countrymen.

Covert Patriotism

Tourists who are fortunate enough to interact with ordinary Malaysians may come to notice that the local citizenry loves to complain and moan about everyday inconveniences they experience. While everything from lack of parking facilities to slow drivers elicits negative remarks and heated exchanges among locals, Malaysians are deeply patriotic in their heart of hearts.