Disclaimer: In Real Life is a platform for everyday people to share their experiences and voices. All articles are personal stories and do not necessarily echo In Real Life’s sentiments.
Subscribe to our Telegram for updates.
Ever wondered why a colleague may throw up their hands in frustration, saying “I want to quit!” but then find themselves back at the same desk the next morning?
Let’s face it, Malaysians have a flair for the dramatic. A bad day at work isn’t met with a simple sigh, it’s a full-blown Shakespearean monologue of “Aku nak berhenti kerja!” delivered with enough passion to make the office fan tremble.
But instead of quitting, most Malaysians do not throw in the towel. Instead they get back on their feet, dust themselves off and carry on.
In a testament to the Malaysian spirit of never giving up, here are 5 reasons why Malaysians don’t quit their jobs:
“It’s like letting down the whole team.”
Musa, a high school teacher, shares:
“Walking away from a steady paycheck isn’t just a personal choice, it’s like letting down your whole team,” shared Musa, a high school teacher.
“I’ve got my own bills and a family to look after. Even when part of me is itching to jump at a new opportunity, I can’t just shake off this feeling that I’ve got to keep things stable for my family.”
That’s pretty much why I end up staying put in my job. Even if it means putting my own job happiness on the back burner, as long as I can keep things secure for the family, it’s worth it,” said Musa.
“Stable jobs are hard to come by.”
Andrew, a software developer, shares:
“I value a comfy job like mine. I can come in late or leave early and no one minds. That’s why I’m hesitant to leave. Imagine losing these perks in a new job, adapting to a new boss and team. It’s daunting.”
“Here’s an example: My friend had a job where he could work from home twice a week. Then he switched companies, and there were no more work-from-home days. He really struggled with that change.”
“With our economy’s ups and downs, something as stable and well-paying is hard to come by.”
“So, I stick to what’s familiar,” said Andrew.
“It’s my way of letting off steam.”
Laila, a Customer Service Manager, shares:
“Sometimes, when I say, ‘Aku nak berhenti kerja,’ it’s not really about me wanting to quit my job for real. It’s more like my way of letting off steam after a tough day at work.”
“For instance, after a day when everything seems to go wrong, or when a difference in opinion leads to a heated discussion, I find myself thinking, ‘That’s it, I want to quit!’ But deep down, I know it’s just my way of dealing with the moment’s pressure. “
“Voicing out thoughts like this can be surprisingly therapeutic,” said Laila.
“Even if I quit, there’s nowhere else to go.”
Raj, Bank Branch Manager, shares:
“I feel totally stuck. I live in an area with few job opportunities. Even if I quit, there’s no other place for me to go.”
“The job market is so tough. For someone with my specific set of skills, there aren’t many open positions.”
“Family and community opinions matter so much in our culture. If I switch to a job that my family doesn’t really approve of, I’d be facing an uphill battle trying to convince them it’s worth it,” he shared.
“I have hope that things will get better soon.”
Emily, Sales Associate, shares:
“One of the main reasons I find myself sticking to my job, even when it’s tough, is hope. There’s this deep belief inside me that things will get better.”
“Sometimes I think, ‘Maybe if I hang in there a bit longer, I’ll get that promotion,’ or ‘Perhaps the office environment will improve soon.'”
“My faith helps me overlook daily challenges and frustrations. That’s why, even when I say I want to quit, I don’t actually do it.”
“It’s this hope that keeps me going.”
Offer a tissue and a knowing smile.
In our Malaysian work culture, having a steady income and being able to provide for our families takes precedence over everything else.
That’s why, even when the going gets tough, we hesitate to make a drastic change like quitting our jobs. The spirit of ‘tahan’, to endure hardships, is part of Malaysian culture.
So, the next time you witness a colleague’s melodramatic resignation outburst, offer a tissue and a knowing smile. After all, in Malaysia, “I want to quit!” is just another way of saying, “Mondays, am I right?”
What do you think of this story?
Let us know in the comments!
Submit your story to hello@inreallife.my and you may be featured on In Real Life Malaysia.
Read also: M’sian Man Who Quit High Paying Job Reveals Dark Side of Corporate Culture
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.
M’sian Man Who Quit High Paying Job Reveals the Dark Side of Corporate Culture
More from Real Skills
How I Saved Almost RM50,000 On Buying My First Car
Here's how this Malaysian man with a RM3,500 salary saved RM50,000 on his first car.
Angry M’sian Boss Demands Unpaid Overtime Over Raya, Causes 9 Staff To Quit
An anonymous employee at a local SME shares how a bad-tempered boss eventually caused 9 staff to quit before Hari …
I Studied In Chinese School As A Malay Boy, Here’s What I Learnt
Every time I used Mandarin outside of school, family members would come up to me at gatherings and ask me …
