Visiting Someone

When visiting a small token of gratitude in the form of a gift is always appreciated. Gifts should always be offered with the right hand. If you want to be particularly polite, support your right elbow with the fingers of your left hand as you do so. Khmer Ways Khmers or Cambodians do not wear their shoes or hats in a home or in wat out of respect; they are removed and left at the entrance.

Do not cross your fingers (often done to indicate ‘good luck’ in the West); this is an obscene gesture in Cambodia.

An important aspect of sitting is to remember not to point the soles of your feet towards anyone, as that is perceived as insulting.

In many homes and in Buddhist temples there may be no chairs and you will be expected to sit on mats. Men traditionally sit in the lotus position and women sit with their feet to one side, legs together.

When sitting in a chair, do not cross your legs. Women, particularly, should always keep their legs together.

The Cambodians are a quiet and gentle people and it is imperative to keep your voice low and to be calm. Never show anger or speak loudly to a Cambodian. It is impolite behavior. You will lose face if you shout or become angry and it will accomplish nothing. If, when discussing a problem with Cambodians they smile or giggle, it is not a sign of disrespect but rather a nervous reaction to a tense situation.

Getting angry and showing it by shouting or becoming abusive is impolite. If this aren’t being done, as they should, remember that there is a critical shortage of trained people in the country because the vast majority of educated Cambodians either fled the country or were ki8lled between 1975 and 1979.

It is improper to pat children on the head; it is a sacred part of their body. If you would like someone to come over to you, motion with your whole hand held palm down signaling with your index finger and your palm pointed sky-ward may be interpreted as being sexually suggestive.

When using a toothpick, it is considered polite to hold it in one hand and to cover your open mouth with the other.

When handing things to other people, use hands or your right hand only, never your left hand.

Cambodians are very polite and do not like to say ‘no.’ If a Cambodian says ‘yes’ with any hesitation, it may well mean ‘no.’

It is disrespectful to point at someone, especially at his/her head. Cambodians believe we all have a guardian spirit, from the moment we were born, and that spirit is usually perched on the head or shoulders.

Cambodians are naturally modest, something that should be taken into account by tourists. There are exceptions, of course, but initially you will want to err on the side of conservative. You should refrain from wearing short shorts and leaving the midriff bare. Most do not wear shorts or short shirts or have bare shoulders. Traditionally, men and women wear sarongs in their homers. For formal occasions women dress in beautiful silk sampots. Nowadays many younger Cambodians, especially in the cities, wear casual western dress at home.

Remove your hat when entering the temple grounds and your shoes before entering the temple. If you sit on a chair or squat on the floor, be careful not to have your feet pointing at the Buddha or a person. It is very offensive to directly point your foot at someone.

While traveling around rural Cambodia, you will see many temple donation drives set up next to the roadside. There are usually beautiful Khmer girls dressed in traditional attire and holding donation bowls for the passing traffic to drop a donation in for the construction or renovation of a temple or school. Additionally, there is always a loudspeaker set up with a donations MC talking to mile a minute at full volume, trying to talk passersby into anteing up some money and thanking those who do. It’s always a fun roadside diversion and a good chance to make a donation and mingle.

Back To Top