13 Quick Dos And Don'ts In Nepal

Nepal is a land of rigid social conventions and strict etiquettes. The best and the safest way to avoid disagreeable situations is that when you are in Nepal, do as the Nepalese do. There are some local customs and norms which should be preserved at all costs so that your stay in the country becomes worthwhile. Mentioned below are some of the most commonly held beliefs and conventions in Nepal:

The standard form of greeting is 'Namaste' where the palms are pressed together as if one is offering prayers. A handshake is not held to be as acceptable form of greeting and hence it should be avoided.

If you have already bitten or tasted a solid food item or a drink, steer clear of offering it to anybody else. If at all you want to offer an eatable, offer it before tasting it yourself.

Remove your shoes (socks as well) when entering someone's home (shrine or kitchen especially) or stupa.

Do not accept or offer any eatable or non-eatable item with your left hand. Use your right hand or better still, both the hands.

Pointing at an individual with a finger or foot is considered to be excessively rude.

Standing in front of a person who is having his/ her meals is not considered as a courteous gesture. Drag a chair or come after the person has finished his meals.

Leather articles are not allowed inside religious precincts. It is always better to seek permission before crossing a religious threshold.

Public display of affection that is overt and brazen is highly inappropriate. Exhibiting love for a person blatantly in Nepal, especially near historical and religious places is a BIG no-no.

Obscene clothing is also not appreciated; neither for men, nor for women. Women should wear a garment that covers their back, legs and shoulders properly and this clearly implies that bikinis, bare backs and shorts are not permitted. Likewise, men should not attempt to take off their shirts or pants in public. They say that Nepalese men take off their shirts only in shower.

People who wear casual stuff to formal events and occasions are not considered in high esteem. One should dress exactly as per the mood of the occasion.

You should also be careful that you don't step over a person's feet. If, by chance, you end up doing that, feel sorry immediately.

Barring a few exceptional religious and historic places, photography is allowed all over Nepal. It is still wise to seek permission before clicking random shots in Nepal.

It is not considered elegant to touch anything with your foot. Use your hands and if they are not free, wait for them to be free and clean.

So these are some very basic conventions followed all across Nepal. The locals will be quite impressed and shall treat you nicely if you observe all of them mindfully. Otherwise also, these are some very easy norms to follow and the tourists should not have any issue in observing them.