It’s natural to be curious about foreigners’ thoughts about our country – even if their opinions are harsh. However, sometimes, even the locals can’t help but agree with what a foreigner has to say. Through her TikTok account @/itsrekya, a French-Moroccan TikTok user named Rekya shares about her life as a foreigner living in Malaysia. Recently, she shared her likes and dislikes about the Southeast Asian country, inviting some comments from locals.
In her first video, Rekya spoke about her dislikes about Malaysia, first noting the extreme humidity in Malaysia. She also lamented the lack of walkable roads in the city, comparing it to cities in Europe and Japan. She then spoke about how locals interact with children, often being too comfortable with them despite being strangers. She also complained about the laziness of some workers in Malaysia, particularly those in the service industry. Lastly, she lamented that most of the food in Malaysia are too spicy for her palette.
However, that’s not to say that Rekya doesn’t have a positive experience here in Malaysia because she also shared her likes about the country. In the video, she noted how respectful people are towards those from different backgrounds, adding that Malaysia is more tolerant than the French. As a Muslim, Rekya also said that being in Malaysia allows her to be closer to her religion and practice in peace.
Additionally, Rekya praised the cafes and restaurants in Malaysia, saying the food here is good and up to her standards as a French person. She also praises the scenery in Malaysia, adding that there are a lot of beautiful beaches, forests and jungles here. She also commented that there are many things to explore in Malaysia, so there’s never a dull moment when you’re in the country.
Many Malaysians have reacted to Rekya’s videos – but most, surprisingly, agreed with her comments about humidity and lack of walkable roads. Many locals said they also wished the country had walkable cities and lamented the humidity in Malaysia. However, many noted that the climate is why it isn’t ideal to walk outside. Some netizens also helped Rekya with her issue of spicy food, saying she could ask for less spicy meals or have the cook omit any chilli.
It’s worth noting that Rekya is speaking on her experience, so we should respect her opinion – but what do you think about the videos?
Watch the videos below:
