While Malaysia and the United States are as geographically distant as you can get, the relationship between the two countries is one that still holds strong.

Thousands of Malaysians live, study and work in the US, and in Malaysia, there exists a sizeable American expatriate community.

For the most part, the Malaysian perception of American life is shaped by the many movies and TV shows that appear on local screens.

However, as anyone who has stayed in the US for an extended period can claim, living in the US has its fair share of oddities.

Here are just a few that Malaysians report experiencing in the US. What other strange tales have you heard?

1. Guns. Guns everywhere.

If you have invested any time in American crime shows or followed the daily news, you already have a good idea of the US gun culture.

Of course, this depends largely on which state you’re staying in, as gun laws vary from state to state. If you live in a gun-friendly state, it can be unnerving to see firearms lugged around in public spaces.

In Malaysia, applying for gun ownership requires jumping through bureaucratic hoops and illegal ownership is severely punished.

Hence, for Malaysians settling down in the US, witnessing the fervour some Americans have for their firearms is certainly an experience.

2. How much to tip?

Who in Malaysia hasn’t given the elderly petrol station attendant a few ringgit every once in a while? And while it’s a kind gesture it’s still not mandatory and choosing not to tip is not perceived as a faux pas.

However, restaurant workers in the US like bartenders and waiters, depend heavily on the generosity of customers to get by.

In many states, these workers are given an abysmally low base pay, pushing them to rely on tips to give their pay cheques a bit more weight.

So, how much should you tip if you happen to visit? Most folks say 20% of your total bill, but it’s still up for debate.

3. Shopping is… weird

For folks used to grocery shopping in Malaysia, doing it for the first time in the US tends to be quite an eye-opener.

For one, people there tend to buy in bulk rather than just how much they presently need.

Two, unlike in Malaysia where the final price of products includes sales taxes, American price tags tend not to calculate them.

US shoppers are also big on coupons, using every opportunity to get the best discounts and prices.

Admittedly, getting the best deals is also something Malaysians adore, but cutting out coupons and saving them to present at the cashier is quite the rarity here.

4. Ah, Malaysia…where is Malaysia?

Some American folks have never heard of Malaysia at all, especially those in remote rural areas. While they tend to take pride in their national diversity, it’s accurate to say that some Americans are somewhat insulated.

Jokes about bad geographical knowledge aside, Malaysia also rarely makes a blip on their cultural radar, unlike certain neighbours like Singapore who have earned better name recognition in general.

So, whenever people ask where Malaysia is, it’s better to just say it’s smack between Thailand and Singapore.

5. A ‘small’ meal.

There’s no denying Malaysia is a food culture. After all, it’s normal to greet people by asking ‘sudah makan?’.

Likewise, Americans love their food but it often comes as a shock to Malaysian visitors just how large the portions are in the US.

When a menu states a portion is large, be prepared for a humongous serving placed before you. Struggling to finish up a “small” meal is a trial by fire for most foreign visitors.

Of course, there have been consequences to this culinary indulgence, as evidenced by how wide the average American waistline is.

6. Dates and measurements.

For those born and raised in Malaysia, the metric system is as familiar to them as nasi lemak and roti canai.

In all fairness, Malaysia is like most of the world in that regard, with all but three countries currently using the older, less precise imperial system.

Of course, one of those countries is infamously the US, still clinging onto miles and yards even as the world sprints forward in kilometres and centimetres.

It takes some getting used to, especially when you have to do the conversions in your head every time.

And that’s not to forget the strange American date format which involves putting the month before the number.