| The form
of greeting in Nepal is
"Namaste" and
is performed by joining
the palms together. Do not
be offended if a Nepalese
lady hesitates to shake
hands. In Nepal, people,
especially women, do not
normally shake hands when
they greet one another,
but instead press palms
together in a prayer-hike
gesture known as "Namaste".
|
| Seek permission
first before entering a
Hindu temple. In some of
the temples entrance may
be prohibited for non-Hindus.
|
| Before entering
a Nepalese home, temple,
and stupa remember to remove
your shoes. Leather articles
are also prohibited to be
taken inside the temple.
|
| Take photographs
only after receiving permission
for the object or person
being photographed. |
| Walking around
temples or stupas is traditionally
done clockwise. |
| Please do
not sit or climb on the
top of statues. |
| Never touch
anything with your feet.
This is considered an offence
among Nepalese. |
| While traveling,
dress appropriately. Women
should especially avoid
dressing in skimpy outfits.
|
| Table manners
in Nepal are quite different
from those at home. In typical
and traditional Nepali houses,
plates, knives, forks and
spoons may be absent from
the dinner table. While
eating, Nepalese people
use their right hand. But
this does not mean, however,
that the guests are not
to use forks and spoons.
|
| Any food
or utensils touched by the
used knife or spoon or finger
or lips or into which spittle
has fallen is considered
"Jutho" which
means, "contaminated".
It would humiliate a person
if such food were offered
to him. Nor should the dish
containing such food be
used again without it being
properly washed. |
| Cheap charity
breeds beggars but does
not solve their basic problem.
Therefore, do not encourage
beggary by being benevolent.
|
| Beware of
touts who claim to be representing
companies and offer to take
your bargain hunting. |
| Use hotel
safety boxes for your valuables.
Do not leave cash and other
valuable things lying around
in the room. |
| It is better
not to touch offerings or
persons when they are on
way to shrines. Beef is
strictly prohibited among
both Hindus and Buddhists.
No female animal is killed
for food. |
| Remember,
many times, when a person
shakes his head from left
to right, he may mean, "Yes".
|
| There is
and export ban on certain
items. Antiques can be taken
out of the country only
with special permission
granted by the Department
of Archaeology. It is illegal
to export objects over 100
years old (sacred images,
paintings, manuscripts)
that are valued for cultural
& religious reason and
belong to Nepal. |
| You are requested
to get the arrival/departure
stamps on your passport
at the entry/exit points
to avoid further legal complications. |
