Do’s & Don’ts

Religious

Dress neatly and respectfully in all religious shrines. Never go shirtless or in shorts or short skirts. It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around a temple complex, but not inside a chapel, where the principal Buddha image is kept.

Every Buddha image is regarded as a sacred object, no matter the size or age. Never climb onto a Buddha image to take a photo or act in any way that local people might interpret as a lack of respect. Buddhist monks must not be touched by women or accept anything from their hands. If a woman gives anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man who then presents it to the monk.

Social

Lao people do not normally shake hands when greeting one another. Rather, they press their palms together in a prayer-like gesture called a nop. Generally, a younger person will nop an older person, and a person of lower social status will nop a person of higher status. When greeting a Lao person, a smile and slight bow of the head are acceptable. When greeting Westerners, a Lao person will often shake hands, a custom which is becoming more common.

Never touch a Lao person on top of the head and try not to point your feet at people or objects as these gestures are considered very rude. Shoes should be removed when entering a person’s home. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. At all costs, never raise your voice or shout as this is considered very impolite. Instead, speak calmly but firmly when voicing a complaint or disagreement and keep smiling.