Once a Malaysian, always a Malaysian.
I realize that even though I don't plan to return that soon to my home country to work and live, I still have that smidgen of loyalty ingrained upon my soul. When Malaysians group together around here, we either talk about food, strange Americans, or the state of things back home. The first two are neutral topics, but woe betide any non-Malaysian to helpfully join in the discussion where Malaysians are ruefully bitching about their own country.
Like a friend complaining about his/her significant other, or a wife expressing her frustration over her own parents, the rules are simple. You, an outsider are just not allowed to comment on the situation! Show sympathy, ask questions, but don't contribute any bitching and agreeing of your own. Compare these scenarios:
Wife: My mother is crazy!
Husband: I agree, dear.
Wife: What? You think my mother is crazy?
Husband, But... that's what you...
Wife: How dare you insult my mother!
(wife runs into kitchen and grabs a frozen leg of lamb)
Msian1: I wish Malaysia was more clean, like in America.
Msian2: More accessible dustbins, like Singapore.
Non-Msian: I couldn't agree more. Even when I was hiking in the jungle in Malaysia I saw...
Msian1: So how come breakfast cereal is so different here, huh?
Msian2: Yeah, I really miss eating Koko Krunch.
It only just struck me that I too am that sensitive about my own country. Most people, when complaining, do so about something that is deeply personal to them. But they don't like it being pointed out to their face, especially by an outsider, or someone who isn't really in the same situation as they are in. That's why family members can bitch about each other but if they hear anything bad outside the family? The claws come out!
That's why I couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed when Matt Harding called Kuala Lumpur a "fairly dreary, unpleasant place" and criticized the food. Of course, when I read the whole blog, I realized he had probably gone to places where no Malaysian normally sets foot to eat anyway. Seeking standard American fare, he stumbled into a McDonald's without knowing what all Malaysian U.S.-ed students like myself know. McDonald's is better in the U.S., TGIF rules in Malaysia (bigger portions if you can believe it) and KFC kicks yo mama's ass all around the world with super spicy crunchy juicy chicken deliciousness.
Although I do admire Matt for visiting 42 countries in 14 months and making a chicken dance video compilation (I cried! The video was beautiful!), I do feel sad that he didn't have local guides in a lot of the places he went to. While its fun to explore on your own (Americans believe in this thing called "road trips"), you can end up kicking yourself when you missed something great that you didn't know about before because you couldn't have known.