HANDBOOK FOR U.S. HOST FAMILIES OF Malaysian Participants TABLE OF CONTENTS Malaysian Culture Quiz ......................................................................................................................3 Introduction ......................................................................................................................................7 Foreword ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 Handbook Objectives ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Overview ................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Brief Outline of the History of Malaysia .................................................................................................................... 8 Geography ................................................................................................................................................................. 9 Climate ...................................................................................................................................................................... 9 Community Life................................................................................................................................ 10 Diversity of Malaysia ............................................................................................................................................... 10 Culture ..................................................................................................................................................................... 10 Generalizations and Stereotypes ............................................................................................................................ 12 Culture and Perception ........................................................................................................................................... 13 Celebrations and Holidays ....................................................................................................................................... 14 Personal Life .................................................................................................................................... 16 Collectivism/Group Affiliation ................................................................................................................................. 16 Direct versus Indirect Communication .................................................................................................................... 16 Concept of “Face”.................................................................................................................................................... 17 Meeting & Greeting Etiquette ................................................................................................................................. 18 Personal Space ........................................................................................................................................................ 18 Privacy ..................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Sense of Time .......................................................................................................................................................... 19 Religion .................................................................................................................................................................... 19 Muslim Students ..................................................................................................................................................... 20 Buddhist Students ................................................................................................................................................... 22 Hindu Students ........................................................................................................................................................ 22 Religion in Your Household ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Personal Hygiene ..................................................................................................................................................... 23 Sensitive Subjects .................................................................................................................................................... 24 Family Life ....................................................................................................................................... 26 Respect for Elders and Authority ............................................................................................................................ 26 Family Roles ............................................................................................................................................................. 26 Household Chores ................................................................................................................................................... 27 Family Togetherness ............................................................................................................................................... 27 Showing Affection ................................................................................................................................................... 27 Parental Guidance ................................................................................................................................................... 27 Food ......................................................................................................................................................................... 28 Teenage Life .................................................................................................................................... 30 Peer Relationships & Dating .................................................................................................................................... 30 Social Events & Parties ............................................................................................................................................ 30 Clothing & Appearance ........................................................................................................................................... 30 Transportation ......................................................................................................................................................... 31 Hosting Participants from Malaysia 1 School Life ....................................................................................................................................... 32 Daily Schedule ......................................................................................................................................................... 32 Classes & Schoolwork .............................................................................................................................................. 32 Teacher-Student Interaction ................................................................................................................................... 33 Extracurricular Activities ......................................................................................................................................... 33 School Environment ................................................................................................................................................ 33 School Uniform and Dress Code .............................................................................................................................. 34 Parental Involvement .............................................................................................................................................. 34 Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................... 34 Appendix A – References .................................................................................................................. 35 Appendix B – A Guide to Malaysian Cuisine ...................................................................................... 36 Appendix C – YES Cultural Tips Sheet ................................................................................................ 38 Acknowledgements.......................................................................................................................... 43 Hosting Participants from Malaysia 2 MALAYSIAN CULTURE QUIZ Take this quick true/false quiz to find out how much you already know about Malaysia and Malaysian culture. 1. T or F Malaysia is a young country with a long, diverse cultural history. 2. T or F The way that a Malaysian person communicates is most likely to be very straightforward and direct. 3. T or F In Malaysia, religion is often tied to a particular ethnic group. 4. T or F Buddhism is the official religion of Malaysia 5. T or F To