Results tagged “culture” from Volume of Interactions

In Malaysia, quality of work is often equated to the quantity of work. A person who does massive amounts of overtime is valued by the company as a hard worker, a person who leaves the office "on the dot" is jeered.

Even in professional circles, non-operational areas of responsibility, i've seen the same thing happen.

"Wah, so hardworking, putting in overtime."
"Looking for a promotion, izzit? 9pm still not going back yet!"

At the other end of the stick.

"So free, meh? Go home at 5.30pm everyday. Got to ask boss to give you more work."
"Going home so early today?" (loudly so that everyone around can hear and look at you)

In Switzerland, punctuality is key. People work until 5pm and no longer. If you want to work beyond 5pm, you need to submit a written request to Management. If you work long hours, it reflects poorly on you because it means you're inefficient and unable to finish your work in regular office hours.

That's Switzerland. This is Malaysia. It's almost silly to compare the two. Isn't it?

I'm entertaining some guests from Australia today at work. Going to take them out for lunch in a bit, probably Nando's.

Trying my best to be a gracious host, i ask, "Is there anything you wanted to buy? Friday lunch hours are long due to prayers, you have ample time to visit some shopping malls."

"Well, yes, there is something my family wanted me to get for them from Malaysia. DVDs."

"DVDs? you mean the pirated ones?"

"Yes. Do you know where i can buy them?"

"Of course." (Petaling Street is right next to Nando's)

Good to know that Malaysia is famous for something. To the mat sallehs, we're culturally dead, piratesRus.

ps. Interesting tidbit here: buying pirated DVDs is funding terrorism. So the mat sallehs buy the pirated DVDs from us, the money ends up in some terrorist's hands, and is used to buy bombs to blow the mat sallehs up. Freaking poetic justice if there ever was one.