There are a few things that you notice as you drive along the town/city streets over here.
The dogs for example….there isn’t the same affiliation to dogs here. The dogs travel in packs of around 6 or so, and perilously make their way through life. It struck me that they are a bit like teenagers, sticking together, snarling at anyone that tries to help, going their own way….or is that just Tonge Moor? 
The attitude to cows is another major issue. Cows are sacred animals and are treated as such. So even if the cows are wandering across a busy highway, you have to just slow down and manoeuvre your way around them. It’s very strange to see them in the city instead of in fields grazing.
The radio songs are interspersed with uplifting messages or messages to help the citizens become more caring toward one another. For example – “When you park your car, please ensure that you park within the painted lines, otherwise you will spoil someone elses day and risk them getting upset and angry that they cant use the space next to you.” Another one is not to raise your voice in public” or ”help someone lift their shopping into their car.” Its quite nice actually to be reminded and I think it’s something we could well try and take onboard – go on - try and make a difference to someone today!
This message is also borne out by slogan t-shirts.
Not quite the same as the ones we have back home….these have statements on them instead. Make peace / keep calm / have a smile / work hard / give way / love one another etc….It’s just a nice touch.
We went to visit Dr Tan today, one of our customers in KL. He is a lovely man and insists on making us Chinese tea. This is a very ceremonious process. The small terracotta bowl and lid with holes in it comes out, thimble size terracotta cups that sit on top, the cups have to be warmed first with boiled water. A selection of tea is put into the small teapot, brewed for a specific length of time (depends on the type of tea leaf used), poured, offered and repeated as the 3 mouthfuls of tea liquor are consumed. We discuss business; he has a lucrative contract on the go with the Middle East and shows us some of the luxury soaps that will be offered to the Arabs…they have actual gold flecks in them – real gold! Anyway, after business we discuss the Chinese prophecies of what December 21st 2012 holds, but i’ll save all that for a later blog next year instead – a very pleasant afternoon meeting all in all. 
On the way back to the hotel, we pass the Carlsberg factory again, and sure enough, there are the workers outside in the shade with glasses of amber nectar!
Well, its check out time - Goodbye to Malaysia and your happy smiling people. I hope to see you again soon.
Bali next……
