General Advice
Show respect and use your head and eyes and common sense will guide you well in navigating Lao culture safely.
When in Laos, try and do as the as the Lao do and remember; don't touch heads, don't loose your cool with people and don't flash your flesh. The rest is about manners, shoes left outside, accepting hosts' greetings and not upsetting religious feelings.The Lao are very friendly and hospitable and a minimum effort will make your trip smooth and memorable.Respect the culture and you will earn its respect in turn.
Welcome
A kiss or embrace from a stranger is insulting and humiliating. Traditionally, Lao people use the 'NOP' on meeting and using it will win you instant friends if performed sincerely.
How to use the 'NOP'?
Raise your hands in a praying gesture. The higher you go, the more respect you show, but don't be over the top!
A handshake will suffice, but try to use the Lao greeting of 'Sabai Dee'.
Feelings in public
Public displays of affection are taboo in Lao society, so don't cause shock or embarrassment by kissing or cuddling in front of people.
Modest dress and discreet behaviour will ensure you don't attract unwanted attention or embarrass others.
Foot and Head
In Buddhism and general Asian society, the head is very important to the souls and its purity, while the feet walk the earth and all that is deposited on it. Raising your feet to headheight, putting them on furniture or pointing with them is taken as a deliberate insult or sign of barbarism.
Don't gesture with your feet or touch an Asian head. You would be asking for trouble.
Here, as in all things, check out what local people do with their feet and shoes and try to follow suit.
Shouting
Never raise your voice to Lao people as they never react well to it. Even shouting to friends or for taxis will cause shock and worry.Lao is a land of calm and patience, and shattering the peace will do you no favours.
Appearance
Bodily hygiene and cleanliness are of the highest standard in Lao and a visitor's failure to meet these standards is not well received. Wash yourself and your clothes daily or prepare to be laughed at and avoided!
In a Lao House
Shoes are generally no-go indoors. Use your eyes and common sense to maximise your chances of social success.
Keep your head and general profile low at gatherings.
Particularly when passing by older people respect should be seen to be shown!
Religion
Religion is a major part of daily life and remains the practice of the massive majority.Show respect in temples and shrines, watching how locals behave in such places. Dress neatly when visiting temples and religious shrines. You should never go shirtless, or in shorts, miniskirts or hot pants.
It is acceptable to wear shoes when walking around a temple compound, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Visitors are welcome to relax and be peaceful in all temples.
Every Buddha image is regarded as a sacred object, no matter how big, small, old or new. Never climb onto a buddah image to take a photograph or do anything which might indicate a lack of respect.
Keep your head lower than the buddahs and monks. Buddhist priests must not be touched by a woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman gives anything to a monk, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Don't turn your back on a buddah.
Environment
You will rarely be alone in Laos, even when you seem to be, and pollution is not well received.Bins are scarce, so use your plastic bags to return rubbish to towns or villages.
Drugs
The penalties may be severe for you and even worse for the Lao society.
And finally...
Keep smiling, and you will make lots of friends!
Do's
Do try local specialty such as Amok and Num Bachok.
Do watch traditional and cultural dance shows which are available in various restaurants.
Do visit a local market in the morning to experience a daily life of the local.
Do take bicycle ride along the rice field and country sides.
Do ask for permission before taking photos of others.
Do bargain when buying things. Bargaining can be an enjoyable experience in interacting with the locals.
Do learn some words in Khmer such as “Hello” or “Thank you”. To learn Khmer click here.
Do take off hat and shoes before entering a Khmer home and pagodas.
Do take up the opportunity of staying with a Khmer family, a great way to experience the life-style of the locals.
Do buy Khmer souvenirs before returning to your home country.
Do avoid hugging and kissing in public.
Don'ts
Don’t purchase historical artifacts in Cambodia. Buy only the replica ones.
Don’t take home pieces of stone from the temples and tourist sites no matter how small and undecorated they are.
Don’t touch someone on the head. Head is considered holy.
Don’t point or gesture with your feet or put your on the furniture. Feet are considered the lowest form of the body.
Don’t give children vendors in the temples candies if you do not intend to buy their products.
Don’t be foul-mouthed in middle of lake or jungle. It is considered bad omen.
Don’t involve in narcotic drug consumption and sexual exploitation of children.
