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My Friend Marquis and his wife iPheeng from Malaysia

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My Friend Marquis and his wife iPheeng from Malaysia

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Me (in the red shirt) buying food from a street vendor in Reynosa, Mexico.

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Me (in the red shirt) buying food from a street vendor in Reynosa, Mexico.

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Malaysian Funerals:
In Islam, funerals follow fairly specific rites in accordance to syariah (religious law). As a general rule, the burial must occur as soon as possible after death, and the jenazah (body of the deceased) must be handled very gently and with utmost care at all times. Prior to burial, the body must be bathed, which is an essential ritual with the purpose of physically cleansing the body. While the body is washed, a cloth covers the jenazah’s aurat (parts of the body that should be hidden according to Islamic law). After the body has been bathed, it must be wrapped in a simple and modest cloth, usually of white cotton or linen. This is called the kafan and its purpose is to protect the jenazah’s privacy and dignity. After the body has been shrouded, it is brought to a nearby surau or mosque for a special collective prayer called solat jenazah. During this prayer, the deceased is covered with a piece of batik cloth. Members of the Muslim community join the family of the deceased to pray for the departed. The prayer also includes the recitation of supplications for the deceased.  As cremation is forbidden in Islam, the body must be buried in a grave, with burial procedures accompanied by the recitation of various prayers. The grave itself should be aligned perpendicular to the Kiblat (direction of Mecca), and the jenazah is to be lowered into the grave without a casket, lying on its right side and facing the Kiblat. To position the jenazah properly, three fist-sized balls of soil are used to prop the head, chin and shoulder. The lowering of the jenazah and positioning of soil balls are usually performed by male next of kin. While weeping for the deceased is perfectly acceptable in Islam, loud wailing is strongly prohibited.

Malaysian Child Rearing:
Most Malaysian children learn the importance of age hierarchy, especially the proper use of titles to address their elders. The family also teaches that kin are the appropriate source of friendly companionship. The frequent presence of siblings and cousins provides familiarity with the extended family and a preferred source of playmates. In turn, many families teach that strangers are a source of suspicion. The school experience reinforces the ethnic differences in the population, since the schools are divided into separate systems with Malay-medium, Mandarin-medium, and Tamil-medium instruction. Yet the schools do provide common experiences, the most important of which is measuring progress by examination, which helps to emphasize mastery of accumulated knowledge as the point of education. Outside of school, adolescents who mix freely with others or spend significant time away from home are considered "social," a disparaging remark that suggests involvement in illicit activity. A good Malaysian child respects  hierarchy, stays close to kin, follows past examples, and is demure among strangers. These lessons teach Malaysian children how to fit into a diverse society.

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Birthdays in Mexico:
Birthdays in Mexico are a day of great festivities and traditions. One tradition that is very important for Mexican culture, is the pinata. The pinata is a clay pot or figure of paper mache decorated and built to look like a particular festive object or animal. It is filled with candies, treats, and small toys. Party goers take turns trying to hit and break open the pinata in order to enjoy its spoils. Common foods for a birthday party are arroz con leche (Mexican rice pudding), tortillas with salsa, churros, caramel flan, and taquitos (rolled tacos). Drinks are also important, tequilas and margaritas are usually enjoyed in celebration. The chanting of the song “La Mordida,” meaning the Bribe, is typically done as the individual for whom the party is for takes the first bite of the cake with their hands tied behind their back.

Weddings in Mexico:
During traditional Mexican weddings, the bride and groom are linked together with a Lazo to symbolize their joining in love and trust. The Lazo is placed by sponsors either around the couple's necks, shoulders or wrists. The Lazo can be a white ribbon, large rosary or decorated cord.  The placement of the Lazo occurs during a special wedding prayer, after the bride and groom have exchanged vows. The couple wears the Lazo throughout the remainder of the service and keeps it as a keepsake.
Traditionally, the groom wears a linen suit.  Brides gowns are to be sewn by her family members and paid for by the groom's family.  During the ceremony the groom gifts the bride with 13 gold coins. This is referred to as the "Arras". The officiant blesses these coins during the ceremony.  The coins symbolize the groom's commitment to supporting the bride and also represent Christ and his apostles. The bride's acceptance of the coins represents her unconditional confidence and trust in the groom.

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~Say, "Salud!" when someone sneezes, to not do so is rude.
~Take off sunglasses and hats when entering a church.
~Be late, it is expected.
~Tip 10-20%
~Be patient and moderate your expectations regarding time.

*Do not be on time for a visit to someone's home.
*Do not drink water from the tap.
*Do not wear shorts.
*Do not use words like "No" or "I don't know" as they are considered rude.
*Do have liability insurance when driving as it is the law.

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~When visiting a Buddha temple, show respect and remove hats and shoes, do not wear shorts.  When sitting, never point your feet at a person or image of Buddha.  Stand when monks enter.
~Enter shrines with your left foot first and exit with your right foot first.
~Shake hands with men, not with women unless they do so first.
~Remove your shoes before entering a home.
~Use the right hand to eat, receive, or give something.

*Do not use your left hand to hand over or receive things.
*Do not pound your fist of one hand into the palm of the other, it is considered an obscene gesture.
*Do not kiss in public.
*Do not touch the head of an adult.
*Do not use your forefinger to point, instead use your thumb with all other fingers tucked away.

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http://www.traveltaboo.com/mexico-travel-tips-dos-and-donts/
https://www.roughguides.com/destinations/north-america/mexico/culture-etiquette/

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Mexico City Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia

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http://www.traveltaboo.com/malaysia-travel-tips-dos-and-donts/
http://www.malaysia.travel/en/sg/about-malaysia/culture-n-heritage

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Malaysia Vacation Travel Guide | Expedia