What began as an ordinary moment on a busy street in Seoul has unexpectedly captured the hearts of netizens online.
A video shared on TikTok shows a Malaysian man waiting patiently at a pedestrian crossing in South Korea's capital. As vehicles slowed to a stop, he raised his hand in a familiar gesture commonly used in Malaysia, a polite signal to thank drivers for giving way before crossing the road.
The simple act, so natural back home, stood out in a foreign setting. Many viewers were delighted to see a small piece of Malaysian courtesy travel across borders, turning an everyday habit into a wholesome moment abroad.
Netizens praised the man for his manners, with some saying the gesture felt warm and respectful, regardless of where it was practiced. Others joked that Malaysians could never let go of the hand signal, even thousands of kilometres from home.
While brief and unplanned, the moment served as a gentle reminder that kindness and gratitude are universal languages easily understood, no matter the country.
