Myanmar Culture and Etiquette

Myanmar culture is basically Buddhist and so much of the accepted etiquette pertains to Buddhist beliefs. As in all Buddhist countries, the head is considered to be the most sacred part of the body, where as the feet are considered dirty and corrupt. For this reason it is important never to touch anyone's head. Even ruffling a child's hair will be seen as a grave insult.

In the same way, visitors to Myanmar should never point their feet at anyone and especially not at a Buddha statue or image or at an elderly person or even a photograph of an elderly person. Pointing to someone with the feet is seen as extremely rude behaviour. The habit of some westerners of sitting back in a chair and putting one's feet on the table may not be the best of behaviour at home, but in Myanmar it is considered absolutely outrageous.

No one in Myanmar would ever use the same towel to dry their hair and feet and would use a different basin to wash each. Using water reserved for drinking to wash one's feet is a grave insult. Women are even prohibited to sit on higher levels such as the roof of a boat, or buses while or monks or nuns and men are sitting beneath.

Men should never touch a woman, even to shake hands. This is not respectful at all. Similarly women should never touch Buddhist monks. If a woman is making a donation, she will place it somewhere the monk can retrieve it, rather than hand it over directly. When visiting Buddhist monasteries all footwear including socks should be removed – there are places to leave your footwear – and short sleeved tops and shorts are not allowed. Myanmar women dress conservatively and expect the same from those who visit. Taking photographs of Buddhist statues or images is considered to be sacrilegious.

If visiting a Myanmar home, shoes should be taken off at the door. More urbane city dwellers may find that a polite attempt at removing shoes shows enough respect, but even then do not walk on carpets or rugs. These are for sitting on. When eating, it is customary for the elderly to be served first and coughing, sneezing or blowing one's nose at table is not acceptable. Politely excuse yourself if you feel the need.

In Myanmar, there are no family names. Siblings usually have totally different names. Most consist of two or three syllables and should never be abbreviated. Also, as is common in this part of the world, women do not change names on marrying.

If presenting or receiving a gift, always do so with both hands. This is even true of giving or receiving business cards – a custom the Myanmar people have enthusiastically absorbed. Do not be surprised if your gift is not immediately opened, but just places aside. It is somewhat rude to open it immediately – this can be interpreted as being rather greedy.