There are some behaviours and gestures you need to note when you travel to Southeast Asian countries. Even though each country has its unique standards, but they agree upon one certain rule: you can never be too polite, as they are raised with a highly developed sense of courtesy and respect.
Just simply refer to the following list of cultural traditions in Southeast Asia, and you will understand the rule of thumb.
Respectful Greetings
Respect in Southeast Asia is shown in many ways, including greeting gestures. If you are familiar with yoga, you will notice that yogis often make a prayer-like hand gesture. That is exactly the typical greeting of Southeast Asians, called as ‘nop’ in Laos, ‘wai’ in Thailand, and Cambodians refer the gesture as ‘sampeah’.
This greeting is derived from India’s Anjali Mudra. If you are greeted with this hand gesture, you do not need to do the same, simply smile, and a nod will be enough.
Conversations
Southeast Asians tend to open even a highly important discussion with small talks, as they are quite known for not being direct. Asking about your family, general background, your daily life, habits, and your age are very common, so you do not have to be offended. Sometimes they want to know you better, but sometimes they do it for the same of “warming up”. Just reveal small information about yourself if you are a bit disturbed, or if you find yourself enjoying the talks, you can ask them in return.
Remember to dress properly
Bring your favourite bikinis or swimsuit to the beach is allowable, but be mindful of certain places especially when Muslims comprise the majority of the total population, such in parts of Malaysia or Indonesian city of Aceh where you should put on long and loose outfits.
Eating
Like Asians in general, people in this region always let the eldest person in the room have their first bites. When eating together in a group at the restaurant, they tend to wait until everyone is served with the ordered meals and drink before start eating. If you are okay with them having their meals first, just let them know.
There are times when you invite them to have dinner or lunch at your home. Commonly, you have to ask them to eat and start yourself. Chances are, some of them will refuse to have one or make an excuse saying they are already full—sometimes it’s just a lie, and in this case, you need to offer or ensure them again.
Receiving gifts
Taking and giving gifts are common in Southeast Asia, especially if they invite you to come over to their house. First of all, if you do not have any idea which color to choose for the wrapping papers, simply hand your gift with its original paper bag. If you want the gifts to be more personal, choose the paper wisely! If you are invited by a Singaporean, avoid blue or black colors as the wrapping papers since these colors are highly associated with funerals. In Thailand, gold is commonly their favorite. In Indonesia, be mindful of the gender; if they are women or feminine, choose pink or red. If they are men, blue is the safest color.
Dating
Even though most of the teenagers in Southeast Asia nowadays are more into self- expression when it comes to dating or giving bold opinions in a public setting, but most of them still live it in a more conservative way. In the dating life, it is believed the men should make the first moves and the women tend to hide their feelings and will not let their guard down until certain dates. Also, public displays of affection—more than hand-holding—are quite taboo as they consider it impolite.
Head high, feet low
According to Eastern culture, the head is quite sacred, in a way that you can freely touch someone’s hand without any proper reasons, especially if they are older. In contrast, feet are seen the unclean part of your whole body, thus avoid pointing at people with your toe. When entering someone’s home, or sacred places like temples or mosques, you are required to take off your shoes, unless they instruct you otherwise.
The Street Food
Despite the questionable hygiene, street foods in Southeast Asia remain very popular. You might be interested to try one of them. But if you are unsure, these tips might help you!
Train Your Anger
You should never be express your anger at public places. Most of conservative Southeast Asians will hide their angry expressions when they get offended, especially in front of others. They prefer to have a deeply personal talk to handle this kind of situation or let it go altogether if you are lucky enough. Not only do they want to keep the good atmosphere, but they also do it for the sake of ‘saving their face’ during social interactions, because arguing with them will have them trapped in a situation where people consider it as embarrassing. It is an offensive and rude action for them, and if this happens, sometimes others will talk about it for days!
Rice culture
Southeast Asians love to eat rice that they consume it one until third times a day. Most of their tastiest snacks are often rice-based. In some parts of the region, people will not say they have eaten until they have rice as the main menu.