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Do's & Don'ts in Myanmar

As a responsible tourist, you should  try to make sure that the people you meet enjoy your stay in their country as much as you do - or at least, that you do not offend your host. "Responsible Tourism Mekong" suggests the following guidelines for tourists:

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  • Do say “Mingalarbar” when meeting someone, use  “U” in front of men's names and “Daw” in front of women's names;

  • Do let the oldest be served first;

  • Do offer articles with both hands and keep both feet on the ground;

  • Do bend slightly in front of the elders;

  • Do dress and act decently, speak slowly and clearly;

  • Do ask permission before taking photographs

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  • Don’t touch anybody’s head. Don’t touch women

  • Don’t point a finger straight in the face

  • Don’t step over any part of the person

  • Don’t go where you are advised not to go

  • Don’t traffic, handle, or use narcotic drugs

  • When entering pagodas or monasteries, wear decent clothes (no shorts, bare shoulders or chests) and take off your shoes

  • Don’t sit with your back towards Buddha’s image

  • Show respect to monks, novices and nuns, don’t offer to shake hands, a woman should not touch a monk, don’t step on a monk’s shadow

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Don’t handle Buddha images or sacred objects with disrespect or keep them in inappropriate places (on the floor for example)

(This article was originally published under http://www.mekongresponsibletourism.org/myanmar/10-profile-myanmar/40-pe...)

 

The Ministry of Hotels & Tourism Myanmar proposes the following Do's and Don'ts:

 

Typical Character

  • Friendly, helpful, honest, but proud.

  • Treat everyone with respect and you will be respected.
     

Speaking

  • When addressing people, don’t leave out U (which stand for Mr) or Daw (which stand for Ms/Mrs)

  • Speak slowly and clearly.
     

Manners

  • Not always necessary to shake hands.

  • Don’t hug or kiss in public.

  • Don’t touch any adult on the head.

  • Don’t step over any part of a person, as it is considered rude.

  • Accept or give things with your right hand.

  • In Myanmar, unlike the Indian continent, nodding mean YES, and shaking head means NO.
     

Eating

  • For hygiene reasons, eat only in decent restaurants.

When not available, always eat heated food.

  • Don’t eat food purchased from street vendors.

  • Don’t drink tap water.

  • Drink only bottled water and soft drinks that haven’t been opened yet.

  • Let the oldest be served first.

  • Chinese food is common and suggested.

  • Myanmar food are often complained as ‘oily’.

  • To try good Myanmar food, go to decent restaurants in Yangon area, where they cook Myanmar food according to international standards.
     

Shopping

  • When buying gems, sculptures, or any expensive souvenir, make sure it comes with an export permit.

  • Buy arts from authorized dealers only and get a certified receipt.
     

Safety

  • Don’t leave expensive items in your room. Use a safe deposit box.

  • Beware of cheats, swindlers, imposters.
     

Health

  • Stay away from narcotic drugs.

  • Carry some medicines for diarrhea.

  • If sick, don’t worry. All doctors are English literate.

  • Health insurance is not available

 

Traveling

  • Accept that facilities may not be the best.

  • On trains, keep windows shut.

  • Speed or distance descriptions are in miles, not kilometers.

  • Carry toilet paper in your bag.
     

Visiting

  • Most Myanmar do not wear shoes in their homes. Take off when visiting.
     

Moving About

  • Don’t jay walk. Watch where you walk and what you step on.

  • If driving, city speed limit is 30 mph. Drive on the right side.
     

Religion

  • At religious places, remove footwear, but to remove headwear is not necessary.

  • Avoid shouting or laughing.

  • Avoid being a nuisance when taking photographs.

  • Treat Buddha images with respect.

  • Tuck away your feet. Don’t point them toward the pagoda or a monk.

  • Don’t play loud music in these areas. Note that Buddhist monks are not allowed to listen to music.

  • Do not put Buddha statues or images on the floor or somewhere inappropriate.

  • Don’t touch sacred objects with disrespect. Hold them in your right- hand, or with both hands.

  • Leave a donation when possible.

  • Show respect to monks, nuns, and novices (even if they are children).

  • Don’t offer your hand to shake hands with a monk.

  • Sit lower than a monk and elders.

  • Don’t offer food to a monk, nun, or a novice after noon time.

  • A woman should not touch a monk.

     

     

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