For more than 10 years, our regular author Viktor Aleksandrovich Pogadaev has been living and working in Malaysia, in its capital Kuala Lumpur. He is a professor at the University of Malaya and teaches Russian language and Russian culture to Malaysian students. Viktor Alexandrovich is a graduate of Moscow State University, a prominent specialist in the history and culture of Southeast Asian countries, a full member of the Russian Geographical Society and just a very enthusiastic person. During his next visit to Moscow, he told us in the editorial office about the specifics of his teaching work. Question. The establishment of diplomatic relations between the USSR and Malaysia in 1967 contributed to the development of economic and cultural relations between our countries. But the world has changed in many ways since then, and you are now representing Russia in Malaysia. Has Malaysia changed? Answer. Yes, the other one. In the words of Chekhov's character, Malaysia, like Greece, has everything. However, the comparison with Greece may not be entirely appropriate now, since Malaysia is not in danger of a financial crisis in which Greece is mired. On the contrary, it ranks first in the world in the production of electronic chips and household air conditioners, and is one of the leaders in the production of natural rubber, tin, and palm oil... The scale of construction in the country is amazing: there are no skyscrapers in its capital, and in other cities too. There are almost no beggars on the streets, and the cleanliness is downright sterile. Do not try to shake the cigarette ash on the road from the car: if you see it, you will immediately be punished, with a fine of up to $100! An interesting feature: in Malaysian trade usage, the word "no" is not used, although it is naturally present in the language. If the product you need is not available in the store, or maybe it never was, you will be answered: "over", and the word " no " will never be uttered. They may say: "not ... Read more