Behave Yourself in Cambodia
Behave Yourself in Cambodia
A note about your behavior in Cambodia
Those who dress conservatively will most likely find acceptance with the locals. Displaying a multitude of tattoos, some offensive in any company may bring comments. Moreover, while on the subject of tattoos, understand that images of Buddha, some religious insignia, royal families & governments, nudity & expletives, etc. may be considered offensive and/or controversial, better to keep them out of sight.
It is highly disrespectful, to point your feet at people and/or touch their heads.
Moreover, in public, moderate your voice and avoid expletives. Furthermore, being drunk and disorderly in public is unacceptable virtually everywhere.
Behave Yourself in Cambodia and do not touch other people’s property
Put simply, if it’s not yours, don’t touch
Those who cannot take care of themselves may need your assistance, perhaps to cross a street, but try to avoid getting involved in any local disputes and demonstrations, etc.
Behave Yourself in Cambodia and use an appropriate dress code
Beachwear is exactly that, & may not be acceptable for shopping or visiting historical sites & government offices, etc. Not sure? simply observe what locals are wearing, copy, & you can’t go far wrong.
Behave Yourself in Cambodia and always present yourself in an acceptable manner
Perhaps difficult to define “acceptable”, but most will understand & agree that skimpy skin-tight revealing clothing, offering little to the imagination, is unacceptable when visiting religious sites & sensitive places such as Buddhist wats, The Killing Fields, The Genocide Museum & wartime cemeteries, etc. Moreover, raised voices & undisciplined noisy children, are further examples of unacceptable behavior, in this context.
Behave Yourself in Cambodia, a special request when visiting sensitive sites:
Please be aware that some visitors to places such as the Genocide Museum, are making a pilgrimage, searching for evidence of long-lost family members. It is, therefore, both kind & considerate to respect this, by behaving & dressing in an inoffensive manner.
Be aware that some visitors to the Genocide Museum may have traveled considerable distances while others are local, city residents. Relatives or friends of those imprisoned here. Sharing a desire to feel close to those who suffered & died in their own country, at the hands of pure evil, The Khmer Rouge Regime.
Some may have struggled for many years to find courage enough, to make their personal pilgrimage of discovery to S21. Moreover, some will hope to put in place, a missing piece of family history. All will pray for those who died at the hands of the Khmer Rouge Regime.
May all the victims forever rest in peace, and never ever be forgotten.
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A footnote: Along the riverfront, at restaurants & bars, there are youngsters, far fewer nowadays, selling souvenirs, trinkets, travel guides & flowers, etc. Nonetheless, whatever your views on this activity may be, treat them with respect & kindness. They are not criminals.
Moreover, should you not wish to purchase from them, a simple wave away with your hands is usually sufficient to send them on their way. However, should they become a little pushy, instead of getting angry, speak quietly to the proprietor, well experienced in this matter.
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