Do’s & Don’ts

Religious
Shoes are generally removed at the entrance to pagodas. For visits to the Silver Pagoda with the Royal Palace grounds, visitors are asked to dress more formally. Men are required to wear long trousers and women should wear long skirts (trousers are not acceptable). When visiting temples or pagodas, including those of Angkor Wat, small casual dress is acceptable.

Social
Cambodians greet each other by pressing their palms together in front of their bodies and bowing in what is called a sompeah. Younger or lower-ranked people normally initiate the gesture. A Western handshake is acceptable when being introduced.

Like most Southeast Asian nations, it is important to dress neatly and modestly, and act in a calm, quiet manner. Guests are often judged by their behaviour and general appearance. It is considered rude to point with the feet or touch people on the head. Public displays of tempers can make a bad situation worse. When taking photographs of people, always ask permission, especially with monks and ethnic minorities.