An African-American tourist claimed she was on the receiving end of racism during her trip to Malaysia due to her skin colour.
As a result, this led her to conclude that the country was the “most racist country” she had ever visited so far, although she did reserve praise for the local cuisine.
Visited M’sia with high hopes
In a TikTok video by the tourist, she said she travelled to Malaysia after hearing so many recommendations about it.
Upon touching down at the airport, she ordered herself a salad at a restaurant and was puzzled to see the waiter serving others their food but not hers.
“But when my salad’s ready, he (the waiter) tells me I need to come up and get it. And I’m like, ‘Oh, oh, okay.’ Don’t know why I gotta get my salad and they don’t, but okay.
“I get up, go to the counter, grab my food, sit down, and eat my salad, which was delicious. But then I noticed while I’m eating, the server’s bringing more people their food that they ordered.”
Although bemused by the encounter, the tourist decided to brush it off as a one-time event and continue on with her day.
Claimed e-hailing driver ignored her
The tourist and her friend, presumably a Malaysian Chinese, then went to book an e-hailing ride, where they opted for the most expensive option.
“Me and my friend had a bunch of bags and I was waving at the driver as he pulled up. As I was waving, he looks at me, dead in my eye, looks forward, and looks at me again before ignoring me altogether.
My friend then waves at him and he looks, smiles, and waves back before getting out of the car and helping her with her bags. Does this man know that I’m the one paying and the one who called the car?”
The tourist also alleged that the e-hailing driver never once offered to help her with her bags and only did so when her friend handed them to him.
She added that another Black friend of hers was on the same trip and had asked for directions, only to be met with a cold shoulder.
Shoe incident
Things came to a boiling point when the tourist visited a shoe store in KL and was deeply bothered by the lingering sense of hostility and dirty looks which were allegedly thrown her way by staff.
“I’m like, we’re in this store out here trying to earn you commission, and you out here treating us like we’re criminals. And this wasn’t just that one store. This was like almost all the stores we went into.
People look at us with such disgust, such disgust. And I’m like, y’all n***as are almost as brown as me! Make it make sense!
“Also, fun fact: it took me three days to find lotion that didn’t have skin lightener in it. Says something about their society,” she quipped.
Claimed no disrespect was shown
The tourist also rejected the notion that she had rightfully earned the hostility of locals with her behaviour, adding that she had not acted belligerently or was disrespectful.
“Before we could even say anything, people were just like, ‘I guess you don’t want my money. I don’t take it elsewhere.’
“I will say Malaysian food was some of the best food I ever had in Asia. Does it make up for the racism? No, but the food was blessing.”
Watch the clip here:
@ooeygooee Malaysia is one of the most racist countries I've been to 👎🏿 #Malaysia #Travel #BigBackTravels ♬ original sound – OoeyGooee
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