Last Friday, out of curiosity, I started to Google, “Why are Malaysians…” and before I could finish typing “Malaysians” I got quite a few derogatory search results regarding Malays.
This is a really sensitive topic so I won’t go there, yet having said that, it seems every nationality or ethnic group gets negative comments.
Why are Malaysians…
- so rude?
I wouldn’t say we’re especially rude. Personally I think it’s the Asian culture of introversion, plus the majority of Malaysians aren’t fluent in English, and often silence is seen as unfriendliness. One thing is for sure: Malaysians turn into rude psychopaths once they get behind the wheel. If you thought Italians were obnoxious drivers, I’ve heard from friends that Malaysians are worse. Thanks to haphazard road planning, lack of public transport options and shoddy law enforcement, Malaysians have evolved into aggressive animals on the road. It’s like survival of the fittest: you have to battle your way through or you won’t get far.
Note: I later realised that just about every nationality is deemed rude.
Driving in KL is super fun
- lazy?
We’re not lazier than Americans, Indians or Russians.
- racist?
The "main races" (l-r): Iban, Indian, Malay, Chinese, Kadazan
Should I even touch this? Like with any country, there are bound to be stereotypes. I believe that people tend to make snap judgements because of the human need for simplicity, hence why we put things in neat little boxes and label them.
- Muslims?
Easy one. Not all Malaysians are Muslim, but all Malays are required to be Muslim by Malaysian law.
Why are Americans…
- so fat?
What if Hollywood used actors that represent the majority? Would super hero films still work?
- so ignorant?
- so stupid?
Why are the British…
- called poms?
I first heard this term in Australia and the myth that “pom” stands for Prisoner of her Majesty or Prisoner of Mother England”. But the Australian National Museum states that the word came into use in 1912 long after the time of convict deportations. The Oxford English Dictionary supports the theory that “pom” is short for “pomegranate”, referring to the sunburnt immigrants of the British in Australia.
- army in Afghanistan?
- teeth so bad?
My parents complained about the dental care they received in the UK when they used to live there.
Why are Chinese…
- girls so easy?
- people so smart?
- people so good at math?
- building ghost cities?
- so cruel to animals?
Some favourites
- Why are Singaporeans kiasu (afraid to lose)?
- Why are the Japanese so polite?
- Why are the Dutch so weird?
- Why are the French cowards?
- Why are Italians so loud?
- Why are Swedes so good-looking?
- Why are humans so fascinated with understanding the universe?
Can someone tell me why humans are so bitchy? ;)
