What are the customs of Laos?

Laos social customs etiquette and manners.

The general features of the social customs of the Lao people can be summarized in these words: Laotian friends attach great importance to hospitality, and treat people with great sincerity. The traditional "bolting line" to welcome guests, expresses the affection of extraordinarily close; used to drink altar wine with the guests, meaning that with you do not separate. Most of the nationals believe in Buddhism and abide by the "five precepts" of true feelings. The "no food after noon" is a religious rule, avoid eating "ten meat" not to avoid meat.

Laotians are accustomed to making the ten-finger salute (i.e., raising the palms of both hands together) when they meet their guests. There are the following rules for performing the "Hap Sao" salute: for monks, royal families, elders, superiors and other people whose status is higher than one's own, the palms should be placed in front of the forehead.

For those who are lower in status than oneself, such as juniors and subordinates, the palms are placed under the jaws, and for those who are equals or ordinary people, the palms are placed in front of the face. Nowadays, they are generally treated as equals. At the same time as performing the Hapkam salutation, one greets "Shabedi!" (Greetings!) (How do you do?). Although the handshake salute is also popular, women generally still use the palm salute.

Extended information:

Taboos for Laotians.

Lao people are very jealous of strangers entering the inner room, without the invitation of the host or without the consent of the host, shall not make a request to visit the host's courtyard and home, even if it is a more familiar friend, do not touch the living room in addition to books, flowers and plants in addition to the personal belongings and furnishings in the room. Some mountains and trees are regarded as sacred mountains or sacred trees, and one must not easily enter such mountains or touch such trees with one's hands.

In some local villages, there are special symbols scratched on the door or eaves of some houses, indicating that the house is haunted, so you should not enter such a house without authorization, and you should be led by the master, and you should not sit or touch the house after entering it, and you should obey the master's arrangements. When someone sits and talks to each other, don't pass between the two people talking, if there is no place to go around, you need to pass through the center, bow your head and say sorry.

During Buddhist festivals, Laotians do not kill animals, do not sell meat in the market, and cannot eat meat at home. Don't hold hands with women in public or show excessive intimacy in Laos; they consider it dishonorable for a woman who has been touched by a man in public.

Baidu Encyclopedia - Customs in Laos