You might be interested in my experience in SE Asia as a Westerner. In the US I was alone very easily. I spent most of every day alone. I like to walk at night and no one is ever out there when I walked in the us. The few people I would see would not make eye contact and one of us might cross the road so we do not even meet.
When I first moved to Thailand, the people out everywhere at all hours was hard for me to get used to especially since they all wanted to smile at me as they passed. I had to learn how to smile and not any fake American smile either!
Then I moved to KL and there are even more people out here. And since they speak English, they not only smile - they might want to talk to me too. I am a very slow walker, so people overtake me often. Sometimes the person will slow down to my speed and start talking - asking me where I am from, or what I am doing, or just saying hello.
Another different thing is all the communal eating. I am used to eating at my desk or alone and now I eat with crowds of people all the time.
This is all so different for me but I am getting used to it now. You might even say I like it! I call myself a nomadic hermit, but it seems this this is changing :)
“wow, I really need some rest” <<< lol - this is me after a long day of talking to and mingling with Malaysians!
That is very interesting @fitinfun, i shows that how culture can literally change us right. From introvert to extrovert.
Hahaha that trying not to make the fake American smile is so funny 😂 . Here in malaysia, people are very friendly especially for foreigners.
Im glad that you can manage to get used to all the changes 😄. Do you have any plan coming to Sabah? Or you already did.
No, i have not been there and have no plans. I think it would be expensive to get there maybe and I always need to save for my 90 day trips out of the country. But it looks awesome up there. I saw your post about the food stalls and that looked so fun. I have also seen other posts from there and I am sure I would like it. Is this where you are from originally?
Wow 90 days? 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. Im glad that my post could show you maybe a little about what we have here in sabah 😊. Yes im from here.
Yes, keep posting your local area. That is what people like to see. Check out the travelfeed tag maybe. You are somewhere most of us do not get to, so it is interesting.
I have been traveling every 90 days for 2.5 years now. I'm getting skilled at it lol.
Ok @fitinfun, sure will. So next time, when i want to travel i can get some travelling tips from you. 😄😄