Kuala Lampur, Dec. 22 -- I had a funny little moment at work recently with a colleague from the Middle East.

Despite coming from a completely different linguistic background, she picked up "lah" faster than some Malaysians I know.

There was one day I was stressing out about a task, and she looked at me and said, "Don't worry lah," with this extra-long "lahhhh" that instantly made me chuckle.

And just like that, I actually did feel better. Moments like that remind me how something so small and familiar can be surprisingly comforting, and how even those who come from far outside our culture can learn our little quirks just to connect with us better.

In any Malaysian office, you'll easily hear things like "Sure or not ah?" or "Don't worr...