Myanmar travel tips: DOs and DON'Ts

Myanmar Travel tips: Dos and Don’ts
  As a responsible tourist, you should  try to make sure that the people you meet enjoy your stay in their country as much as you do - or at least, that you do not offend your host. Gomyanmarvisa.com suggests the following guidelines for tourists:
 
DOs

• Do say “Mingalarbar” when meeting someone, use  “U” in front of men names and “Daw” in front of women names;
• Do let the oldest be served first;
• Do offer articles with both hands and keep both feet on the ground;
• Do bend slightly in front of the elders;
• Do dress and act decently, speak slowly and clearly;
• Do sit lower than a monk and elders;
• Do show respect to monks, novices and nuns (even if they are children);
• Do wear clothes to cover your shoulders, cleavages and legs while visiting temples and holy sites;
• Do take off your footwear before entering temples and holy sites;
• Do ask permission before taking photographs;
• Do accept or give things with your right hand;

 
DON’Ts

• Don’t touch anybody’s head;
• Don’t hug or kiss in public;
• Don’t step over any part of a person, as it is considered rude;
• Don’t offer to shake hands with monk, a woman should not touch a monk;
• Don’t offer food to a monk, nun, or a novice after noon time;
• Don’t touch women;
• Don’t point a finger straight in the face;
• Don’t step over any part of the person;
• Don’t go where you are advised not to go;
• Don’t traffic, handle, or use narcotic drugs;
• Don’t sit with your back towards Buddha’s image;
• Don’t step on a monk’s shadow;
• Don’t handle Buddha images or sacred objects with disrespect or keep them in inappropriate places;

 
Other notices:

- You should not drink tap water. The tap water in Myanmar is not clean enough to drink. Also don’t drink water and soft drinks from opened bottles.

-If you purchase gems or any expensive souvenirs, make sure you get the export permit with them. Only purchase arts from authorized dealers and get certified receipt.

-Beware of cheats, swindlers, imposters. Always make the price clear with the dealers before paying. Don’t leave your expensive items in your room, use safe deposit box.

-If driving, city speed limit is 30 mph. Drive on the right side.

-Myanmar traditional food is often complained “oily” so tourists are suggested to eat in decent restaurants where Myanmar food is cooked with international standards.