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DO & DON'T
THINGS IN MYANMAR |
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Typical Character
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Friendly, helpful, honest but proud.
- Treat everyone with respect and you will be
respected.
Speaking
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When addressing people, don’t leave out U (which
stands for Mr) or Daw (which stands for Ms/Mrs).
- Speak slowly and clearly.
Manners
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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 form street
vendors.
- Don’t drink tap water.
- Drink only bottle d 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 and export
permit.
- Buy arts from authorized dealers only and
get a certified receipt.
Safety
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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
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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
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Most Myanmar do not wear shoes in their homes.
Take off when visiting.
Moving About
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Don’t jays walk? Watch where you walk and what
you step on.
- If driving, city speed limit is 30 mph.
Drive on the right side.
Religion
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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 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 status or images on the
floor or somewhere in appropriate.
- 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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