Tour Guide, Yangon, Myanmar
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The Ministry of Hotels & Tourism Myanmar proposes the following Do's and Don't
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 means 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 has often been complained about being ‘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 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.
Tread Buddha images with respect.
Tuck away your feet. Don’t point it 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.