While traffic jams are prevalent in many other countries as well, it’s still an annoying staple and a monstrosity for every Malaysian driver, earning itself a mention on this list. Usually, it’s because of rush-hours, however occasionally you’d have some unfortunate fellow whose car broke down, or nosey drivers who just love watching the accident which happened on the opposite side of the road.

Credits to: Faiz Luqman

1b. Comparing prices 

We know the value of a dollar -- or, a ringgit, in this context -- as we love comparing the prices of goods. We know which market seller sells cheaper vegetables and are familiar with the sigh of utter dismay when we encounter another seller who sells the same crop for an even cheaper price, right after we’ve purchased our groceries. 

Credits to: Carmen Liau

1c. The secret definition of “on the way” 

Stereotypical? Absolutely! However, a joke that isn’t particularly inaccurate. Malaysian society does not necessarily prioritise punctuality and being late is generally acceptable despite its inconvenience. Typically, the phrase implies that the person is at least making an effort to catch the scheduled appointment, but it does not indicate whether the said individual will be on time.



2. Our Parents

2a. Infamous quotes 

The question, “Why are you not a doctor or a lawyer yet?”, poses as a comical jab at the stereotype of Malaysian (Asian) parents holding high expectations for their children in terms of academic and career success, concluding that parents would only allow their children to have an incredibly limited amount of career options that are deemed as “successful”. Other careers that could make the list are engineers and businessmen.

2b. Comparing children 

Malaysian parents are notorious for comparing their children’s achievements with their peers or relatives, birthing another stereotypical joke among the Malaysian youth about how parents love comparing their children to a classmate, the neighbour’s kid, or even some incredibly distant relative. Whilst it is taken lightly in society, one cannot ignore the fact that this is actually harmful to the child. Thankfully, such practice is slowly dying out, and hopefully, the only remnants left are the humorous aspects of it.

2c. Multipurpose household objects 

Malaysian parents have a skill of creatively using objects in unexpected ways. For instance, cleaning dusters and slippers become weapons of discipline, empty paint buckets become a pail for mopping, while old and worn clothes become cleaning rags. Creativity and innovation never seem to run out with them!


3. Malaysian Childhood 

 

3a. After-school tuition and extracurriculars  

Most Malaysian children are definitely familiar with after-school tuition or extracurricular classes. Often, this is a result of parents wishing for well-rounded and high-achieving children and are hence often left to attend these classes to improve in both academics and extracurricular fields.

3b. The “555” notebook 

For those who don’t know, the “555” notebook is a small pocket-sized booklet which was a staple in Malaysian life and in our childhoods. These booklets were widely used due to its versatility, convenience, and price. They were basically the Excel spreadsheets of old merchants back in the day! Meanwhile, in school, they would be used by the prefects to keep track of the names of disobedient students.

3c. Games 

The prospect of spending half a day buried in books for five days a week seemed to be a daunting prospect for many Malaysian students, and decided to entertain ourselves with games like “one, two, jus”, the “chopsticks game”, and the “erasers game”, where cheap erasers (or, “rubbers”, as we called them) were flicked onto opponents’ erasers. During recess, you might find students frolicking the field playing games like “fire and ice”, “lompat getah”, “Pepsi Cola”, and much more.


4. Food

4a. Malaysian signatures 

Nasi lemak, char kuey teow, roti canai, rendang, pan mee; the list goes on. There’s no way that an article about Malaysia would go without a dedicated food section. Food is a vital aspect in the Malaysian lifestyle; some might say it’s sacred. One thing’s for sure, though: we are very defensive about our food. For reference, look back at the whole “crispy chicken rendang” fiasco.

4b. The roadside aunty 

Don’t worry, we’re not implying that Malaysians have a taste for elderly ladies. But we do love the street-side food stalls. They usually set up close to places such as schools and commercial and housing areas. A personal favourite of mine are banana fritters, or pisang goreng. But many kinds of foods are sold, such as nasi lemak, kuih lapis (layered cakes), and refreshments such as syrup bandung and air limau (lime juice). Of course, one cannot forget the ice-cream seller who would attract students on their way back from school! 

4c. The daily teh tarik 

Though being drinks, they are definitely worth a mention in this section. Malaysians love winding down at the local mamak stall with their favourite comfort drink. Teh tarik, literally meaning “pulled tea”, is a daily favourite for many Malaysians. People tend to grab one after work or when they gather with their friends for a quick viewing of football matches.

5. Seasonal

5a. The sales seasons 

It happens every year, usually around the major holidays of Chinese New Year, Hari Raya, and Deepavali. You can tell that the crowds at the malls are just a tad bit crazier around these times as families scramble around to catch the best deals. To some degree, I’m glad that there isn’t a Black Friday holiday over here. 

Credits to: Poh Hoh Shan

Credits to: Theodore Lee

5b. The balik kampung season 

We all know that the balik kampung season also implies the heavy-traffic season, which takes place annually right before the major holidays. Those who travelled back to their hometowns grew accustomed to it, while those who remained in the city briefly enjoyed emptier roads. Family gatherings are inevitable, with children playing with fireworks or their favourite games while the adults gather for a chat, some snacks, and a gamble. 

5c. That inevitable interview session 

It seems to be a recurring joke whenever holiday season arises, about that one family member who really enjoys asking a whole load of personal questions. That family member, usually a middle-aged aunt, tends to ask questions such as: “what are you studying”, “have you gotten a job yet”, “how were your exam results”, “do you have a partner”, etc.. Way too uncomfortable to answer, you feel trapped in a job interview you didn’t ask for.

That concludes a brief trip down memory lane for Malaysians, while it hopefully serves as a small insight into Malaysian life for international readers. As a closing note, whilst living in Malaysia has its ups and downs, I believe I can echo a sentiment many Malaysians share about Malaysia still being home, despite our ingrained love for complaining.