Laos - Culture

Laos is a gentle, conservative society where courtesy and respect are deeply valued. Greetings are typically made with a smile and a slight bow, sometimes accompanied by the traditional gesture known as the nop — palms pressed together at chest level. Shaking hands is becoming more common in business and with foreigners, but physical contact between men and women in public is generally avoided. Public displays of affection should also be kept discreet.

Visitors should dress modestly, especially in temples and rural areas. Shoulders and knees should be covered, and shoes removed before entering religious buildings or someone's home. Pointing feet at people or religious objects is considered disrespectful, as is touching someone's head, including that of a child. Monks are highly respected and should not be touched; women should avoid direct contact and instead hand offerings through a man or place them nearby.

Laotians are patient and soft-spoken, and losing one's temper in public is frowned upon. Photography is generally welcomed, but always ask permission before photographing people, especially monks or villagers. Visitors who follow these simple courtesies will find the Lao people friendly, warm and sincerely hospitable.