“Beauty is meaningless until it is shared.”
― George Orwell, Burmese Days

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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