8 do and donts to know before a trip to cambodia
TRANSCRIPT
No matter from where you are, what culture you come from, you always have some
routines that can cause offense somewhere in different corners of the world. Therefore,
one of the most important you should include in your Cambodia tour packages is this
prime on the cultures mistakes in this country.
Ask permission before taking photo with locals
Even though Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are well adjusted to tourist behaviors, people
living in other rural areas are more difficult. Therefore, always ask permission before you
take somebody’s picture, as many in the more remote areas do not like to be
photographed. Moreover some in the urban areas may be great scampers, they can easily
take pictures with you then ask for payment.
Ask permission before taking photo with locals
Appropriate dressing
Dress for women is more conservative in Cambodia. While shorts are now acceptable in
Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, it is more respectful to wear knee length shorts or trousers
when outside of these areas. This is important everywhere, but especially at the temples.
The temples are sacred places of worship, and although you will see many tourists
dressed inappropriately here, this is considered to be extremely disrespectful.
Children in Cambodia
Groups of young children can be found everywhere in Cambodia and many travellers feel
‘pestered’ by them to purchase their friendship bracelets and other wares. However, it’s
often the case that children enjoy the chance to practice their English on you- and by
asking them their names and ages a conversation is likely to develop where the ‘hard sell’
is forgotten.
The Political Issue
The Khmer Rouge issue is a very delicate one, and one which Cambodians generally
prefer not to talk about. However, if you approach it with politeness, they’ll gladly
respond.
Going barefoot outside
It is a common sense that Asian citizens always take off their shoes upon entering a
house. They believe that going bare foot is good for health because it allows the
relexology pressure points in your feet be stimulated. However it is also a surprise for me
that Cambodia also hate someone go on bare feet then walk back inside their house with
dirty feet. Frankly, the streets in Cambodia are quite grotty, so it is understandable to
take your shoes off in order not to track all that dirt and grime inside.
Never play “Duck Duck Goose” in front of Cambodians
One of my Australian friends told me a story after their trip to Cambodia, which was
about a game named “Duck Duck Goose”. In this game, participants sitting in a circle
while one person would walk around to tap anyone who said either “Duck” or “Goose”.
Well, it seemed to be a harmless game for children, but everyone in the train station
looked at them with crooked eyes when they played this game. And then he realized that
his family did make a cultural mistake. In Cambodia and other Asian countries, touching
anyone on the head, where the spirit is considered to reside, is considered a personal
insult to the person that you’re touching and perhaps even to his ancestors.
Pointing with your feet
Besides touching others’ heads with your hands, pointing with your foot is another
important taboo. As for example, I will tell you my incident when I visited the Killing
Fields near Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Killing Fields are full of so shocked, horrified
and sickened that I wanted to observe and shared with my friend, Sarah… with my foot.
Our tour guide noticed and just said to me: “The body of my uncle was buried here
somewhere” then I realized that I had done something disrespectful to not only his uncle
but also someone’s uncle, aunt father or mothers remains in this sombre places. It took
me a long time to live in guilty for that mistake.
Pointing with your feet
Don't offer change, gifts or objects with your left hand
In South East Asia, in general, passing or accepting anything with your left hand is
unacceptable. To avoid being taken offence for your thoughtless behaviors, you can keep
your left hand go higher than the elbow when receive something. The higher the left
hand is resting on the right arm, the more respective you are. Nevertheless, you can also
accept with both hands. Thankfully this is one of those customs that you won't get driven
out of a shop for not following. But you will gain more respect if you do follow it.
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