|
 Local Cuisine | Climate | Currency & Money Changing |
| Language | Time Difference | Etiquette |
 | Satay:Bite-sized pieces of beef or chicken marinated in spices, then skewered through thin bamboo strips, and barbecued over charcoal fire. Satay is accompanied by a sweet-spicy peanut gravy and served with Ketupat (rice cake), cucumber, and onions. |
 | Nasi Lemak:Nasi Lemak is rice cooked in coconut milk and served with ikan bilis (anchovies), sambal, boiled egg, fried peanuts and cucumber slices. One of Malaysia's popular breakfast fare, it is also widely eaten during lunch or dinner. |
 | Nasi Dagang: Nasi Dagang is glutinous rice, white or pinkish, cooked in coconut milk and served with fish curry, cucumber, pickle and coconut sambal. More recent accompanying items include chicken and seafood cooked in curry. |
Climate
| With a temperature that fluctuates little throughout the year, travel in Malaysia is a pleasure. Average temperature is between 21 C and 32 C. Humidity is high. Rain tends to occur between November to February on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, on western Sarawak, and north-eastern Sabah. On the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia the rainy season is April to May and October to November. As Malaysia's climate is sunny almost year round, light clothing is ideal. It is advisable for ladies, when entering mosques and temples, to wear long sleeves and loose pants or long skirts. |
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Average Temperature(Celcius) | 26.1 | 26.6 | 26.9 | 27.0 | 27.2 | 27.0 | 26.6 | 26.6 | 26.4 | 26.3 | 26.3 | 26.1 |
| The Malaysian Ringgit (RM), the standard unit is worth 100 sen. Currency notes are in denominations of RM1, RM2, RM5, RM10, RM20, RM50,and RM100,
Coins are in denominations of 1 sen, 10 sen, 20 sen, 50sen and RM1. Current rate(as of Aug, 2000): 1RM = 30 yen or 30 cents Foreign currency and travellers cheques may be changed in all commercial banks during banking hours: Mondays to Fridays - 10.00 am to 3.00 pm Saturdays - 9.30 am to 11.30 am Licensed money changers at the airport, international hotels and within the city sometimes offer better rates than banks. Travellers Cheques are also accepted by hotels and major departmental stores but banks give the best rates. |
| English | Malay |
| Yes | Ya |
| No | Teedak |
| Hello | apa kabar |
| Good bye | se la mat jalan |
| Thank you | Sa ma Sa ma |
| Excuse me | Ma fkan say-ya |
| Do you speak English? | Ta-hoo-kah ber -da ha sa Ingris? |
| I don't understand | Sa-ya tee dak fa-ham |
| Help! | To-long! |
| Please bring me the menu | To long bawa untuk say-ya me-noo |
| Please bring me the bill | To long bawa untuk say-ya bill |
| Malaysia is 1 hour behind Japan time, 8 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 16 hours ahead of United States Pacific Standard Time. |
| To avoid "cultural offenses," here are some tips: 1)Remove shoes when entering homes and places of worship. 2)Dress neatly in a suitable attire which covers arms and legs when visiting places of worship. 3)Handle food with your right hand. 4)Do not point your foot at someone. 5)When giving or receiving money gifts to/from a Malaysian, do so with your right hand. |