DON’T give knives as a gift!

Each Friday I am going to present to you some research I have been doing on one of the countries we will hopefully be visiting through the course of the Race.  I will provide you with some history lessons, some culture lessons, and well, whatever I feel like it!  So, without further ado, I’d like to present you with the

• DO– wake up before sunrise or you are considered lazy
• DON’T– make sounds with your skirt when you walk
• DO– close doors softly when you go through them
• DON’T– wear shoes or hats when you enter a house or temple
• DO– sit with your legs straight out (crossing legs shows disrespect)
• DON’T– ever put your feet on the table or show the soles of your feet to others
• DO– speak softly and gently
• DON’T– speak unless spoken to (for children and visitors)
• DO– use the communal spoon (not using it indicates you are insincere or not part of the group)
• DON’T– eat a lot (if you are a woman) or too fast (if you are a man)
• DO– offer a traditional greeting with hands in front of face, in prayer-like fashion (If one intends to show greater respect the bow is lower and the hands brought higher)
• DON’T– hug, kiss, or touch the body of a Khmer woman while greeting her (if you are a man) or look women directly in the eye
• DO– avoid skirts above the knees and sleeveless or low-cut blouses (for women), as well as tshirts and sandals (for men)
• DON’T– wear shorts when in public or when a guest
• DO– keep your hair short (for men)
• DON’T– give knives as a gift!
• DO– present fruits, sweets, pastries, or flowers if invited to a home
• DON’T– use white wrapping paper (it is the color of mourning)
• DO– give gifts using both hands
• DON’T– open gift when it’s received
• DO– wait to be seated at dinner and let the oldest person sit first
• DON’T– begin eating until the oldest person starts
• DO– ask permission before taking pictures of people, especially monks
• DON’T– touch someone on the head, as it is the most sacred part of the body
• DO– follow what others do
• DON’T– show strong emotions unless in the home, includes anger and frustration