Singapore Hotels & Malaysia Hotels
About Singapore Malaysia

ETIQUETTE & CUSTOMS

The mix of cultural influences in Malaysia is the result of centuries of „migration and trade with the out side world, particularly with Arab nations, China, and India. Early group of incoming foreigners brought wealth from around the world, plus heir own unique cultural heritages and religions. Further, once imported, each culture remained largely intact; that is, none have truly been homogenized. 'Traditional temples and churches exist side by side with mosques.

Likewise, traditional art forms of various cultures are still practiced in Malaysia, most notably in the areas of dance and performance art. Chinese opera, Indian dance, and Malay martial arts are all very popular cultural activities. Silat, originating from a martial arts form (and still practiced as such by many), is a dance performed by men and women. Religious and cultural festivals are open for everyone to appreciate and enjoy. Unique arts and traditions of indigenous people distinguish Sabah and Sarawak from the rest of the country. "I'raditional Malaysian music is very similar to Indonesian music. Heavy on rhythms, its constant drum beats underneath the light repetitive melodies of the stringed gamelan (no relation at all to the Indonesian metallophone gamelan, with its gongs and xylophones), will entrance you with its simple beauty. Questions of etiquette in Malaysia are very similar to those in Singapore, so see singapore & malaysia websection 2 for more information.

American Express See individual city sections for offices.
Business Hours Banks are open from t0am to 3pm Monday through Friday and 9:30 to 11:30am on Saturday. Government offices are open from Barn to 12:45pm and 2 to 4:15pm Monday through Friday and from 8am to 12:45pm on Saturday. Smaller shops like provision stores may open as early as 6 or 6:30am and dose as late as 9pm, especially those near the wet markets. Many such stores are dosed on Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons and are busiest before lunch. Other shops are open 9:30am to 7pm. Department stores and shops in malls tend to open later, about 10:30am or 11am till 8:30pm or 9pm throughout the week. Bars, except for those in Penang and the seedier bars in Johor Bahru, must dose at lam. Note that in Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu the weekday runs from Saturday to Wednesday. The above hours generally apply to that part of the country too.
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