What's thing to know before you travel to Cambodia
Cambodian culture is often a little different to what visitors are used to at home. Understanding and respecting these differences is important when staying in the country. International travellers should be aware of what not to do in Cambodia.
What Are the Do’s and Don’ts in Cambodia?
What do I need to remember to do when travelling to Cambodia?
The dos for travelling to Cambodia include the following:
👉 Complete a Cambodia online visa application form to get permission to enter the country.
👉 Make sure your passport is valid.
👉 Learn Cambodian greetings.
👉 Follow the rules of etiquette in Cambodian culture (see below).
Show respect for elders.
👉Dress modestly.
👉Don’t Rely Totally On Internet
👉Don’t Neglect The Hygiene
👉Research first before going to a blind massage centre or an orphanage.
What should I avoid in Cambodia?
The don’ts for visiting Cambodia include:
👉Don’t mock or disrespect Buddhism or Buddhist monks.
👉Don’t wear revealing clothing — especially in temples.
👉 Don’t drink tap water.
👉Don’t take photos of locals without their permission.
Cambodian Greeting Customs
The best way to impress locals is to learn the common Cambodian greeting, known as som pas. Cambodians greet each other with the gesture of pressing their palms close together in front of their face and slightly bowing forward, while saying “Chum Reap Suor”.
👉As elders are held in high regard in Cambodian society, the hands are held higher during som pas when greeting either elders, teachers or officials, with the fingertips either touching the chin or nose.
👉Other instances where you might want to hold your hands higher during som pas include to show extreme gratitude or sincere apology.
👉Hand shaking as a greeting is also becoming more popular in Cambodia, particularly among men and after a som pas has already been exchanged.
👉 The best practice for greetings in Cambodia is to return the welcome gesture you were originally given.
Cambodia Etiquette
Visitors who follow these guidelines will be welcomed warmly by locals — especially if they can also say greetings in Cambodian.
Some important rules of Cambodian etiquette you should practice while in the country:
👉Do Respond to a Smile With a Smile
👉Present a gift to a Cambodian person with both hands, especially an elder
👉While in the company of an elder, allow them to take the lead in all activities
👉Try to never sit higher up than the eldest seated person in the room
👉Do not touch or pat the head of anyone, even children, as the head is considered the most sacred part of the body in Cambodian and Buddhist culture
👉Do not use your feet to point at someone or something, or to push an object to someone, as feet are considered the lowest part of the body in Cambodia
👉Ask for permission before taking any photographs of local people
👉Avoid public displays of affection, considered inappropriate behaviour in Cambodia
👉Take your shoes off at the entrance to someone’s home.
👉Don’t use your left hand for anything, whether it be pointing, eating or touching objects. Your left hand is considered dirty (everyone assumes it’s what you use to clean yourself in the bathroom).
What to Wear in Cambodia
Although Cambodia is a hot, tropical country, locals tend to dress as modestly as possible.
In general, tourists are not expected to cover up too much outside of the exceptions of temples and other sacred buildings. Shorts and t-shirts are considered perfectly suitable attire for outdoor wear, although tourists should avoid wearing clothes that are too revealing, such as miniskirts, short shorts, or tight pants.
Tourists are expected to dress smart and more conservatively in the following situations:
👉When visiting the Buddhists temples in Cambodia
👉When entering a government building
👉When entering someone’s home.
👉Women are expected to wear a knee-length skirt or pants, and may wear a t-shirt or a blouse with either long or short sleeves.
All visitors to sacred sites should remember to remove their shoes and hat, and completely avoid wearing any clothing with religious imagery such as depictions of Buddha or Hindu gods.
Cambodian Rules for Temples or Pagoda
Apart from the strict clothing rules for pagodas (temples) in Cambodia, there are several other regulations for Cambodia’s sacred sites that visitors should keep in mind.
One of the most important is the need to obtain a temple pass in order to visit the busiest sacred sites in the country, including the iconic Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.
When visiting a temple in Cambodia, it’s important to remember that Buddhist monks are deeply revered in Cambodian society, and should be addressed with respect at all times.
Women in particular should take care to not touch a monk’s robes or body, or hand a monk an object.
👉Avoid shouting, laughing, or speaking excessively loudly on sacred grounds.
👉Avoid any kind of disrespectful conversation while in a pagodaTurn off all electronic devices when visiting a temple, and remove headphones
👉Do not touch a Buddha statueDo not turn your back to a Buddha Statue until you are least a few meters awayAsk for permission for taking photographs of the Buddha, and leave a small offering in the donation box if you do
👉Avoid Sitting higher up than any seated monks or the Buddha statue
👉Do not sit with crossed legs or legs outstretched if you have to sit on a floor in a temple. You can sit on your heels. Completely avoid pointing your feet at the Buddha.
