A photo of a seemingly harmless handwashing station in the centre of a food court has caused surprise and even malicious abuse on social media.
The post, originally made by Canadian music celebrity Eric Alper on Threads, read: "This mall food court has a station to wash your hands." The photograph depicts two sinks and a hand towel dispenser.
Many Malaysians were astonished by the uploader's 'shock' at discovering a handwashing station in a food court, maybe due to cultural differences and dining habits.
Users like faizal.c.johari asked, "So you guys don't wash your hands when eating?"
Several answers merely pointed out cultural differences, with user niedaburn expressing surprise: "Wait... you're telling me that's not the norm?"
It is unclear why Malaysians were drawn to the post, given there was no indication that the photograph was from Malaysia.
Nonetheless, it elicited angry responses who questioned cleanliness measures in the west.
User hanizarulle said, "It's no surprise that westerners find eating with their hands repulsive. It's because you guys don't even wash your hands correctly."
User madame_pilot2 commented, "Duh...we've had this since I was born in Malaysia in the 1990s. Why don't Westerners have these handwashing stations? So, you don't wash your hands before eating?"
