Just wanted to clarify. Malaysia is a pretty great country overall. Laying awake in 88 degree heat last night while getting bit up by mosquitoes was no fun, but I've had great random-encounter conversations with Malays in all of the ten places I've visited so far. Their friendliness is much more genuine than other Third Worlders. If you want to travel to a high-trust, low-crime society and chat with locals over a cup of teh O ais, Malaysia is a good choice of destination. Small towns are the friendliest, but some people struggle with English or refuse to speak it altogether.

The guy I was talking to at the market today, he came right out and said it in so many words. "You can buy, or not, whichever you want. Just because we're having a friendly chat doesn't mean you have to buy something." Evidently he was married to a white wife. Her sourdough panini with chicken salad was bomb, as was the cheesecake. The baked mac & cheese looked awesome as well.