Malaysians are generally warm and kind folks, where they would often treat locals and foreign tourists alike with the same level of friendliness.
However, one foreign tourist seemed to have a different take on this, claiming that Malaysians don’t like to smile at each other as much as he personally saw in Thailand.
‘M’sians don’t smile as much as those in Thailand’
Taking to TikTok to share his observation, the TikToker named @marilyn_ruv said that he was particularly bothered by how little Malaysians reciprocate his smile when he gives them one.
He then juxtaposed it with his experience in Thailand, where he said that the people there were more generous with their smile as they would show it to anyone they met in public.
@marilyn_ruv added that his observation of how little Malaysians smile left him feeling “weird and uncomfortable”.
I know there are a lot of laws here and very strict laws…but the people here are like a little nervous.
M’sians strongly disagree
Naturally, the tourist’s opinions were bound to ruffle some feathers and it was made apparent in the comment section.
Some slammed him for making an issue out of something minor and trying to seek attention for himself with the clip.
A netizen said that the reason Malaysians usually don’t smile was due to their shyness, to which @marilyn_ruv replied with: ‘It’s doesn’t look like “shy(ness). It looks like they hate me or something.’
Meanwhile, a British tourist came to Malaysia’s defense, saying that Malaysians were “the warmest and most welcoming people” she had met.
Watch the clip here:
@marilyn_ruv Not really anything bad, just feel like that, generally country so really nice and beautifel #travel #fyp #foryou #foryoupage ♬ original sound – Marilyn_ruv
Do you agree with the tourist’s observations? Share with us in the comment section!
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