In my honest opinion, Malaysia from its bustling and beautiful capital center to its seedy black market, is a rather intriguing and different country compared to Singapore. In a few words, I would describe Malaysia as a colorful, lively place, with a culture that is almost completely the opposite of Singapore and the U.S.’s. If you remain in the capital, you are immediately welcomed to a highly industrial world, with many buildings, construction, shops, and malls in sight. Just outside of the inn I stayed at, you could also quickly find yourself within walking distance of nearby restaurants and markets. Everything is within reach— though be aware that traffic can get a little hectic at times. Compared to the U.S. and Singapore, drivers here in Malaysia tend to be less obedient to the law, and that goes for most of the civilians as well. Of all things to see, jaywalking was a common sight to behold!
From my observation then, a part of Malaysia’s culture appears to be that most citizens have an impatient or flashy attitude. Everyone almost seems to be in a rush and working against time, whether to perform their duties or just to have fun. This is evident with the black market I went to, with massive crowds going back and forth, haggling at stalls, buying food and souvenirs, and merely hanging out with friends and coworkers. It was a frightful but exciting experience to witness, for sure!
