Malaysia

 Time Zone: UTC +8 Religions: Language: Population: 28 Million Government: Constitutional Monarchy Capital City: Kuala Lumpur
 * Doing business in** **Malaysia **
 * Islam
 * Buddhism
 * Daoism
 * Hinduism
 * Christianity
 * Sikhism
 * Bahasa Malay (official)
 * English (official for some purposes)
 * Chinese dialects( Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien)[[image:http://www.cultureshocktherapy.com/pic/my/5350.jpg width="310" height="284" align="right"]]
 * Punjabi
 * Thai

**﻿** **How to meet and address Malaysians:** > exchanged if the woman offers it first to a man.
 * Introductions are normally initiated with a handshake. In Muslim Culture, handshakes are normally exchanged between people of the same gender. Muslim women may address a gentleman with a nod and a smile.
 * Handshakes can be
 * Chinese may look downwards rather than at the person they are meeting as a sign of respect.
 * Initial greetings should be formal and denote proper respect.
 * It is important to remember that professional titles are used in business. Malays and Indians use titles with their first names and the Chinese use titles with their surname.


 * Communication: **[[image:http://superkboard.typepad.com/photos/places/89200010.JPG width="219" height="311" align="right"]]
 * As an extension of the need to maintain harmonious relations, Malaysians make extensive use of non-verbal communication such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and body language. This use makes their communication to be subtle, they prefer to hint at the subject or a point rather than make a direct statement since that might cause the other person to lose face.
 * Malaysians put high regard into their public image and will try to save face as not to unbalance their harmony in their relationships.
 * Silence is an important element of Malaysian communication. Pausing before responding shows that the question has been given appropriate thought and consideration. Hastily replying is often considered thoughtless and rude.


 * Proper Business Attire: **

Regular business attire is commonly made up of dark colored pants and slacks, long sleeved shirts and a tie. Suits are normally worn during presentations and meetings. ** __For women:__ ** Women may wear appropriate attire such as skirts, slacks, or traditional costumes. Revealing attire is frowned upon. Batik apparel is considered appropriate and fashionable when attending formal occasions.
 * __For men:__**
 * Business Cards: **


 * It is customary to exchange with the people you meet for business. Business cards should usually be given with both hands or with the left hand holding up the right one. It is polite to spend some time studying the card you have recieved.
 * Business cards should be exchanged after the initial introductions.
 * Never write on someone's card in their presence.
 * If you meet Chinese businessmen have one side translated into chinese with the characters printed in gold.
 * If you meet governement officials have one side translated into bahasa malay.



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