2026 yongting’s blog

I think comparing Malaysia and Japan shows a big difference between warm friendships and quiet harmony. When someone asks about my part-time job, I like to share my dream of working in a cafe again. In Malaysia, people are very friendly. Sharing small stories is a quick way to make friends. But in Japan, people prefer to keep a polite distance with acquaintances. They usually give short, simple answers to respect each other's space. We also handle disagreements differently. If someone disagrees with my favorite place to live, I feel shocked. However, I will try to explain my feelings so they can understand my side. Malaysians like to use gentle talking to fix misunderstandings. In contrast, Japanese people care a lot about Wa  (social harmony). They often use Tatamae   (a polite public face) to avoid arguing. Finally, I do not like long silences or people who only talk about themselves. In Malaysia, conversations need to keep moving with active chatting. But in Japan, silence ...

Having experienced both Japanese and Malaysian cultures, I find that the way we give gifts shows a fascinating contrast in how we express hospitality. In Japan, a omiyage is almost an art form. It is usually a specialty item, perfectly wrapped in beautiful paper from a department store, showing deep respect and careful planning. In Malaysia, our love is much more casual and delicious. We often show up at a friend's door holding a simple plastic bag filled with fresh, local fruits. It is not about fancy packaging; it is about bringing something practical to share and eat together right away. This difference extends to the house itself. In Japan, guests step into a genkan. Malaysia does not have a genkan; we simply leave our shoes outside the front door or neatly by the main entrance. Punctuality is another interesting point. Japanese guests arrive exactly on time. In Malaysia, people often joke about "Malaysian time," where arriving a bit late is socially accepted so the h...

In my daily life, I usually say hello to my neighbors in the elevator. However, when it comes to strangers, I only smile if we happen to make eye contact. Recently, I heard my classmates talking about hosting a BBQ party and inviting their neighbors. I found this concept very cool; where I live, people rarely do this, though I’ve often thought about trying it myself. Interestingly, this reminds me of Japanese culture. In Japan, there is a strong emphasis on Aisatsu (greetings). Even if people are shy, they often give a small bow in the elevator to show respect. However, unlike in some Western cultures, holding intense eye contact in Japan can be seen as aggressive. They prefer soft eye contact to maintain a comfortable social distance.  On the other hand, people in Malaysia are much more passionate and warm. They are often very welcoming and might start a conversation with a neighbor or even a stranger quite easily. When meeting people for the first time, I am quite shy and definit...

In Malaysia, I never sleep on the train. I need to stay awake to watch my bag and stay safe. But in Japan, it is very different. Japan feels so safe that many people sleep soundly on the subway. Even though I haven't tried it yet, I feel I could sleep there without any worry if I were tired. It must be nice to feel that safe! The second thing that surprised me is fell asleep during work.  In Japan, if you fall asleep at your desk, people might think you are a great worker. They believe you are sleeping because you worked so hard and stayed up late. They call this inemuri. However, in my country, this is impossible! If my boss saw me sleeping, he would be very angry. He would think I am lazy, not hardworking. It is funny how one action can have two very different meanings. I love how safe Japan is, but I also think it is important to get enough sleep at home. In Japan, people are so busy that they have to nap in public just to survive the day. It shows that every culture has its ...

For me, self-awareness is about how I present myself to others. I tend to have a  people pleasing personality but I am aware of it. I try my best to avoid over-pleasing others because I want to respect my own feelings.  In conversations, I try not to say "anything is fine" or "it's up to you" too much. I believe that to earn respect from others, I must first respect myself and others while maintaining a good sense of boundaries. When I first meet someone for the first time, I am naturally friendly. This isn’t fake; I truly want to get to know the person. However, I make sure not to ask many personal questions.  I like to keep a comfortable distance and stop at the right point to make sure everyone feels at ease. I find Conan O’Brien’s videos very humorous. However, I also feel that some of the humor is based on cultural stereotypes (maybe).  It’s entertaining, but I try to look beyond those clichés to understand the real culture. As a Malaysian,  I feel our cult...

Yoo guys my name is Yong Ting,  you can call me Marco, I’m from Malaysia, yay.