Etiquette, Kuala Lumpur

When handing something over to someone or eating with your hands, always try to use your right hand, even if you're left-handed. Some Muslims consider it disrespectful if you use your left hand to do that because it is regarded as used for "unclean" activities.

KL may be a modern city but there are several etiquette still practiced by all races in Malaysia. When entering someone's home, you must take off your shoes because we don't like the dirt from outside to be trampled all over inside the house. Even my sister who lives in Europe brought the habit there and insist that no dirty shoes enters her flat.

Particularly with Malays but now days, with everyone, shake hands firmly but not too much so AND THEN gently place your hand over your heart for 1 or 2 seconds.

People will know you have studied the culture of indicating sincerity in your greeting.

well, maybe this is not a big problem,but i'v been noticed this for a long time and it is just keep bothering me for years...maybe is just me? i don't know, but for a local custom, i think most of asian countries think the same, my experience with foreign friends, they used to put their legs on the other chair or table when they chilled out, so better take note guys, keep your legs down, i'm sure u don't want people to give some kind of that 'look'....cheers guys..

It's illegal, unless you are married, to show public displays of affection. If you are married, you must have your marriage license on your person in case you are approached by a police officer. You are also not allowed to be alone in a room (including an elevator) with a single, non-relative female.

Like most asian countries, we are usually barefeet indoors. Mostly at private homes and sometimes small centres/the likes, we take off our shoes before stepping indoors. Private places like homes are usually always kept clean with regular cleaning, and good enough for bare feet and for sitting/crawling, and if extremely clean, for sleeping on even. But sleeping on cold floors is not good for health, as much as it's uncomfortable, so people do not usually sleep directly on floors. Anyway, back to being barefoot, if you see shoes just outside of the doorstep of a house/home/places like that, take it as one of the clues to take off your shoes before stepping in.

On a more elaborate manner and generally applies in modern homes, if convenient, after stepping into the house, you may request to wash your feet before you start making yourself comfortable. It's a matter of individual lifestyle, as some hosts would be pleased that their guest (or anyone) go wash their feet first right after stepping in. You don't need to use soap or anything if you haven't gotten any dirt/stain on them, just a shower or pail splash of water on those feet will do. And usually there'll be a floor mat (more like towel) at the washroom's doorstep to dry your feet with. Not only your host may be pleased, you would feel much more comfortable after.

When entering a malay home or most chinese and Indian homes as well in malaysia... shoes off please. We can arrange a display of our designer shoes or not so designer shoes by the front door. It has been a custom here for as long as anyone can remember.

instead of hand shaking or kissing on cheek (like in saudi), it's to smell your guests' cheeks.
Back to my Malay relatives, I remember when my opah (=grandma) used to smell me when i was a smelly kid.
To me, it's so beautiful greeting.
This is common among Malay ethnics.