Social and Cultural Taboos in Southeast Asian Countries

Burmese believe in Buddhism, and they must take off their shoes and go barefoot to visit the temple pagoda to show their respect for the Buddha. Burmese people regard touching their heads as impolite. Don't touch children's heads casually.

Singapore

When dealing with Singaporeans, address them as "Mr", "Mrs" or "Miss", which is applicable to all ethnic groups. When meeting, shaking hands, smiling, looking directly at each other and saying hello are all essential. Pass the business cards to everyone after the introduction. When dating a Singaporean, it is best to make an appointment in advance and keep it on time. They have a strong sense of time and think that punctuality is respect and courtesy to their guests. In Singapore, the best social topics are: local cooking and restaurants, favorite tourist destinations and each other's booming business. Topics to be avoided are: talking about personal character, discussing local politics or shortcomings, racial friction, spouse situation and religious beliefs.

Gifts can bring local things, usually seasonal fruits or other foods. Sometimes you can send cassette tapes, new books, etc.

Singaporeans are very polite to others and are always used to smiling at guests. In daily life, if you disturb others, you should always greet them with a smile.

Singapore should avoid saying "Congratulations on getting rich". They think that the word "making a fortune" means "windfall", which means ill-gotten gains.

Singaporeans have a strong imagination of colors, generally like red, green and blue, regard purple and black as unlucky, and black, white and yellow as taboo colors. Oppose the use of Tathagata shapes and contours in business. It is forbidden to use religious words on signs. I like double happiness, elephants and bats. Number taboo 4, 7, 8, 13, 37, 69. I don't like "7" and think it is a negative number. Taboo turtles, think it is an ominous animal.

In Singapore, the head is regarded as the place of the soul, and touching someone's head can make people feel insulted. Especially don't touch a child's head. Don't hug or kiss anyone in public.

Viet Nam

Vietnam is a country that attaches importance to independence and is committed to economic development. Although materials are still scarce at present, people are equal, just like comrades. Even hotel waiters should treat each other with courtesy, and must not show contempt and cause dissatisfaction among local people.

Thailand

Thailand is a country where Buddhism prevails. There are many provisions in the law to protect religion. Don't disrespect the Buddha statue. Because monks must strictly abide by the teachings of Hinayana Buddhism, it is absolutely forbidden to touch or be touched by women, so female tourists should avoid touching monks in public places.

Before entering the Buddhist temple, you must dress up and not be topless. All idols are sacred, and photos are not allowed. The status of Thai monks and nuns is very lofty. Don't take photos or have physical contact with them. If you buy a Buddha statue as a souvenir, even if you have nothing to carry, you can't put it in your pants pocket. Because they think that their lower parts are unclean, they are suspected of tarnishing the Buddha statue.

In Thailand, Buddhists are most afraid of being touched on their heads. Even if adults caress children, it is forbidden to touch their heads. Because according to traditional Buddhist customs, the head is the noblest part, touching or other actions related to touching others' heads are a great insult to people. At the same time, it is taboo to say rash things in front of Buddha. Buddhists should avoid saying "buy" when buying Buddhist instruments, and can only use words such as "ask for help" or "respect others", otherwise it will be regarded as disrespectful to Buddhism and will bring disaster.

Malaysia

Islam is the state religion of Malaysia, so don't disturb Muslims during evening prayers. Besides, touching a child's head is impolite.

Generally speaking, men and women can shake hands and say hello. However, some Muslim women may nod and smile instead of shaking hands to show their friendship with new men. Back to the faculty, they don't drink alcohol and other stimulating drinks, so they can't buy alcohol or cigarettes in the roadside bars or stalls at night.

You must take off your shoes before entering the Malaysian house. Please be careful. When entering the mosque and the Prime Minister's residence, women should not show their exposed clothes and skirts, but should wear long-sleeved shirts and trousers, and wear headscarves when entering the main hall of the mosque. Please pay attention to your clothes when visiting these places, or you may be rejected.

Like India and other Southeast Asian countries, Malaysia still retains the custom of cleaning with your left hand after going to the toilet, so don't take things with your left hand or communicate with others at any time.

When expressing a place, an object or other people, you should not use the index finger of your right hand, but use your thumb of your right hand and hold it tightly with the other four fingers. This is the correct indication method.

Indonesia

Ethnic minorities in Indonesia believe that photography or flash is a tool to take people's souls, and it is best to ask local people before taking pictures.

90% people in Indonesia are Muslims. They are polite and don't speak ill of others, but it is difficult for them to become bosom friends. Once a heart-to-heart friendship is established, it will be easier and more reliable to cooperate with them.

Don't frown when dealing with Indonesians. Don't put on a high-level national airs. Indonesians like to laugh the most, and laugh when they feel comfortable. Laughter is their other language. They also like joking, and they even think that "laughing often" is a social etiquette.

Indonesians have the habit of greeting each other at the same table. Indonesians think their left hand is not clean. They are used to using their right hands and avoid using their left or both hands to get food and other items.

Javanese in Indonesia avoid talking about birthdays. Balinese women like to bare their backs to show their holiness. Guests must make a hullabaloo about when they enter the Sha people's residential area, otherwise they will be considered to have ulterior motives.

Indonesians are very hospitable. When you visit someone who is eating, you will definitely say, "Come and have dinner with us." At this time, you don't have to mention it. A polite refusal is considered impolite.

Don't touch the child's head, or the other person will turn against him.

Myanmar (Southeast Asian countries)

Known as "the country of stupas". Take off your shoes when you go to Myanmar as a guest. This custom has gradually changed. But when entering a stupa or temple, everyone has to take off their shoes, without exception. This is because in Myanmar, Buddhists avoid eating living things and hold the custom of not killing and not letting go. They think that the leather used to make shoes is obtained from killing, and shoes are dirty when they step on their feet, which will defile the holy land and get rewards.

Burmese people worship cows infinitely, think that cows are loyal friends, and eating beef is ungrateful. Respect cows as gods, and no whipping, posting or slaughtering is allowed. Wherever the "God Bull" goes, people will come up with the best things to serve it. On the road or downtown, pedestrians and vehicles should bypass or temporarily avoid. On holidays, Burmese people will hold cattle worship ceremonies.

It is believed that "the right is big, the left is small", "the right is expensive, and the left is cheap", and the principle of "men are right and women are left" should be observed at all times;

On Sundays, people are forbidden to give things to others, and on Tuesdays, they are forbidden to do things. When you sleep, your head must face the east, and the east stands for light.

In Myanmar, women have a high status and cannot be discriminated against. Men and women should not walk hand in hand. If tourists rush to temples, Buddha statues, monks, etc. They are regarded as "big deviant". Sitting astride the stone statue and taking pictures will cause great disturbance and even be naked. Ordinary people will never sit taller than monks. Merchants must "do as the Romans do" and not be careless.

There are traditional festivals in Myanmar almost every month, with Songgan Festival in early April and Lantern Festival (or Hanukkah Festival) in July 15 being the most grand. On the full moon in February every year, many Buddhists come to the holy land of Mandalay to hold a celebration called "Warm Buddha Festival".

Laos

In Laos, Buddhists observe the Five Commandments, generally do not eat vegetarian food, and only eat fast meat such as elephants, tigers, leopards, lions, horses, dogs, snakes, cats and turtles. In the afternoon, except for the sick monk, all food to be chewed with the mouth is fasted.