No matter from where you are, what culture you come from, you always have some

routines that can cause offense somewhere in different corners of the world. Therefore,

one of the most important you should include in your Cambodia tour packages is this

prime on the cultures mistakes in this country.

Ask permission before taking photo with locals

Even though Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are well adjusted to tourist behaviors, people

living in other rural areas are more difficult. Therefore, always ask permission before you

take somebody’s picture, as many in the more remote areas do not like to be

photographed. Moreover some in the urban areas may be great scampers, they can easily

take pictures with you then ask for payment.

Ask permission before taking photo with locals

Appropriate dressing

Dress for women is more conservative in Cambodia. While shorts are now acceptable in

Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, it is more respectful to wear knee length shorts or trousers

when outside of these areas. This is important everywhere, but especially at the temples.

The temples are sacred places of worship, and although you will see many tourists

dressed inappropriately here, this is considered to be extremely disrespectful.

Children in Cambodia

Groups of young children can be found everywhere in Cambodia and many travellers feel

‘pestered’ by them to purchase their friendship bracelets and other wares. However, it’s

often the case that children enjoy the chance to practice their English on you- and by

asking them their names and ages a conversation is likely to develop where the ‘hard sell’

is forgotten.

The Political Issue

The Khmer Rouge issue is a very delicate one, and one which Cambodians generally

prefer not to talk about. However, if you approach it with politeness, they’ll gladly

respond.

Going barefoot outside

It is a common sense that Asian citizens always take off their shoes upon entering a

house. They believe that going bare foot is good for health because it allows the

relexology pressure points in your feet be stimulated. However it is also a surprise for me

that Cambodia also hate someone go on bare feet then walk back inside their house with

dirty feet. Frankly, the streets in Cambodia are quite grotty, so it is understandable to

take your shoes off in order not to track all that dirt and grime inside.

Never play “Duck Duck Goose” in front of Cambodians

One of my Australian friends told me a story after their trip to Cambodia, which was

about a game named “Duck Duck Goose”. In this game, participants sitting in a circle

while one person would walk around to tap anyone who said either “Duck” or “Goose”.

Well, it seemed to be a harmless game for children, but everyone in the train station

looked at them with crooked eyes when they played this game. And then he realized that

his family did make a cultural mistake. In Cambodia and other Asian countries, touching

anyone on the head, where the spirit is considered to reside, is considered a personal

insult to the person that you’re touching and perhaps even to his ancestors.

Pointing with your feet

Besides touching others’ heads with your hands, pointing with your foot is another

important taboo. As for example, I will tell you my incident when I visited the Killing

Fields near Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The Killing Fields are full of so shocked, horrified

and sickened that I wanted to observe and shared with my friend, Sarah… with my foot.

Our tour guide noticed and just said to me: “The body of my uncle was buried here

somewhere” then I realized that I had done something disrespectful to not only his uncle

but also someone’s uncle, aunt father or mothers remains in this sombre places. It took

me a long time to live in guilty for that mistake.

Pointing with your feet

Don't offer change, gifts or objects with your left hand

In South East Asia, in general, passing or accepting anything with your left hand is

unacceptable. To avoid being taken offence for your thoughtless behaviors, you can keep

your left hand go higher than the elbow when receive something. The higher the left

hand is resting on the right arm, the more respective you are. Nevertheless, you can also

accept with both hands. Thankfully this is one of those customs that you won't get driven

out of a shop for not following. But you will gain more respect if you do follow it.

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