If there is one thing Malaysians are known for besides food, it is our ability to talk to almost anyone.
Taxi drivers, aunties at the kopitiam, the stranger queueing next to us, somehow a simple greeting can turn into a full-blown conversation about life, business, weather, and sometimes even the price of durians.
And now, one tourist has gone viral for noticing this very Malaysian trait.
Russian tourist compares taxi rides in Malaysia and Hong Kong
A traveller from Russia recently caught the attention of TikTok users after she shared two very different taxi experiences she had in Malaysia and Hong Kong.
In her video posted by @zhurchika, she stitched two moments side by side.
In Hong Kong, she sat quietly in the taxi and stared out the window. When she tried to start a conversation with the driver, the situation turned awkward almost immediately.
But the moment the video switched to Malaysia, the vibe completely changed.
“Talking is almost a sport here”
During her taxi ride in Malaysia, @zhurchika looked cheerful and at ease as she chatted happily with the driver. She continued talking non-stop while casually filming her journey.
“This is what you should expect when travelling in Malaysia. Talking is almost considered a sport here,” she wrote in the caption.
TikTok users quickly jumped into the comments to say she is absolutely right.
“We really do talk a lot”
The comments were filled with Malaysians poking fun at themselves and agreeing that Malaysian hospitality often starts with small talk.
“Careful during lunch hour, later they invite you to join them for lunch,” one user joked.
Another added,
“I have learned so many things just by talking to Grab drivers in Malaysia. About the world economy, business opportunities, culture, the automotive scene and sometimes even their personal stories.”
Many others shared similar experiences, saying that the friendliness and talkativeness of Malaysians often become the most memorable part of a tourist’s trip.
Watch the clip here:
