customs & culture
Nepal is a culturally diverse country with Hindus, Buddhist, Muslims and Christians all living together in our little corner of the world. The great diversity of our people means that there are many different customs and etiquettes to be aware of as a tourist when visiting our beautiful country. But don’t worry Nepali people are famously friendly and very tolerant of tourist so you will not be expected to strictly follow all the local customs. There are a few things you should know and your effort with these will be received well by your local hosts and will lead to a better experience for everyone.
Greeting
The traditional greeting in Nepal is, “Namaste” It should be said while putting your hands together in front of you as if you were about to pray. Learning this will help you make your first connection with Nepali people. If you are sitting in a group with locals, it’s considered respectful to shake everyone’s hands as you greet them and is a great way to make a connection.
Language
No one will expect you to speak much, if any, Nepalese but if you start with just a few phrases you will earn a lot of respect and favour from the local people. Try “Dhanyabad” for thank you, “Hajur” for excuse me, “subha bihani” for good morning and “suhba ratri” for good night.
Your Left and Right Hands
Nepali people use their left hand for going to the toilet so the left hand is considered dirty. If you are handing someone something, whether it be an apple or some money, you should do it with only your right hand as a sign of respect. If you are eating with your hands, you should only use your right hand or you could get some very strange looks.
Feet and Head
A persons feet are considered the dirtiest part of your body so don’t touch people with your feet.
A person’s head is considered the most sacred and therefore should never be touched.
Bargaining
Bargaining while shopping in Nepal is not just accepted but expected. Nepali business people are very savvy so you can bargain hard but make sure you remain polite.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Nepal. Nice restaurants will include your tip into your bill and you can just leave some change at a local restaurant. Tourism staff will expect a tip for their services of between 5 and 10 percent.
Dal Baht
You will get to know Dal Baht very well during your visit to Nepal. The national dish of rice and lentil soup is so popular because it is so cheap. It is customary to be offered endless servings of Dal Bhat but given the food scarcity in Nepal it is considered rude to ask for more and then not to finish it. Also remember only to touch your food with your right hand as discussed above.
Beef
Hindus do not eat beef. Cows are considered gods in Nepal and it is actually illegal to kill one. You will however have the opportunity to try eating Buffalo and Yak instead.
Temples
Many of the Buddhist and Hindu temples do not allow photography inside. You will also have to take off your shoes before entering a temple.
In Buddhism, it is expected that you walk around temple in a clockwise direction. When you are up trekking in the mountains you should also walk to the left of the Buddhist prayer flags, prayer wheels and mani stones that you pass along your trail.
Dress
Nepal is a modest country and people dress traditionally. Men visiting Nepal should try wearing long trousers and a shirt and women should wear conservative clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. While you are trekking up in the Himalayas its fine to wear your western hiking clothing.
