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- People greet each other by bowing and pressing their hands together as if praying.
- When Cambodians enter a home or wat (temple), they take off their shoes and hat and leave them at the door.
- They show special respect to people who are "higher" than they are - for example, people who are wealthier, have power, or are older. For example, they never disagree with them and they bend and sit lower down than the important person.
- It is rude to point at people, especially at their head, as traditionally Cambodians believe people have a guardian spirit perched on their shoulders.
- It is rude to pat someone's head, even a child's, as the head is sacred.
- It is rude to point the sole of your foot towards anyone (for example when sitting).
- Cambodians do not like to say "no". If a Cambodian says "yes" with any hesitation, it may mean "no".
- The chbab srei, or traditional code of conduct for women, says that they should be demure, respectful, caring, moral and discreet. Women are judged harshly if they wear indiscreet clothing or travel alone outside the district.
- There is a chbab proh describing how men should behave, but people pay less attention to that.
- Girls are less likely to go to secondary school and it is harder for women to run a large business or to get high-ranking jobs like judge or Member of Parliament.
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copyright worldvision 2003
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