Malaysians like switches. There is a switch for everything in your home. Taking a shower? Good. Before you enter, switch on the hot water switch on the wall next to the light switch. It has a red light- red means on. So red means go, though not when driving. No red light on a switch means not on.
Got it, ok, moving on…
Next switch on the lights. Then enter the bathroom. Pull the shower fob and twist the tap. Good. Wait. In a few minutes there will be hot water coming from the tap. If you’ve switched all the switches and knobs you’ll be enjoying a hot shower in several minutes. If you’ve missed one, walk naked back out of the bathroom and check all the switches.
If there is a bank of switches, you want to get dressed again, because you’re going to need half an hour or so.
Got it? Ok great.
Now, want to turn on the Apple TV? Ok turn on the TV. It’s plugged in right? And the wall socket is switched on? Check-check. Wait there is no signal? Ok, better start checking all the switches. Is the Apple TV plugged into the power bar? Good. Now switch the socket it is plugged into on. Good. Now switch the power bar on (it has its own master switch). Good. But wait, still not working? Check the plug socket at the wall, that has a switch too, remember?
Yeah lots of switches. Good times.
Now for reference, see the photo on this post. This is the powerbar that has our Apple TV plugged in. The pink thing is the plug converter that makes a North American plug work with the Malaysian plugs (designed by the Brits – you’ll find the same configuration in the UK).
The North Americans that read this will furrow their brows possibly, the Brits will shrug. If you meet a Brit or a Malaysian, ask to see their index finger. From all the switching work the digit has to do, it has surely got its own bicep.