Depending on your person, there are a number of ways to show excitement. A smile, a cheer or even bringing out a cheeky bottle of champagne to toast a special moment. However, recent news has revealed that some believe these expressions of celebration and excitement too tame. After all, why sip on bubbly when you can drop your drawers and proudly display another country’s flag on the all-too Australian ‘Budgie Smugglers’?
A bold move in a conservative country.
Earlier this week, nine Australian men stripped down to their swimwear briefs and proudly displayed the image of the Malaysian flag at the Malaysian Grand Prix. Much to their surprise, their actions resulted in spending four nights in custody and standing before a magistrate in Sepang Magistrates Court.
The nine men pleaded guilty to charges of public nuisance but all of them were cautioned and discharged without a conviction. However, it is hard to imagine that any of them will forget the incident any time soon, as the Judge cautioned them, “Your conduct…was totally inappropriate…I hope that this incident will serve as a reminder to you and anybody travelling in this country to learn about our local culture and customs. What is acceptable in your country may not necessarily be accepted in this country”.
Before the decision was handed down, one of the nine men read out an apology to the people of Malaysia. The letter read,
“On behalf of my fellow countrymen who were arrested and detained by the Malaysian authority ... I apologise sincerely for our actions on the 2nd of October 2016 ... Which have offended the feeling and sentiments of the people of this beautiful country. We are remorseful of our actions on that day. We had no idea that our conduct would be deemed to be inappropriate, crass or even downright offensive to the citizens of this country. Please know that we do not have the slightest of intention to undermine or degrade the dignity of the Jalur Gemilang (flag), this country or her people”.
The lawyer acting for the group, Shafee Abdullah, made sure to impress upon the court that Australia is a place where it is not uncommon for people to strip down to their swimwear or wear the national flag as it is a sign of patriotism.
We can all learn something from this incident. Firstly, always remember to respect the culture of the country you are visiting because it is obvious that not everybody shares the same values and ‘inside’ jokes. Secondly, never wear Budgie Smugglers in public because those pictures will last a lifetime.
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