Customs & etiquette
Customs and etiquette in Nepal: temples, dress, manners
Nepalis are welcoming and tolerant towards foreigners, but a few gestures matter a lot, especially in sacred places. Hinduism and Buddhism mingle everywhere: you go from a Shiva temple to a stupa just by crossing the street.
In temples and stupas
- Walk clockwise around stupas, temples and prayer walls (the shrine always on your right), and spin prayer wheels in that direction.
- Take off your shoes before entering a temple or monastery; take off your hat too.
- No leather (belt, bag, shoes) in some Hindu temples: a sign says so.
- Some Hindu temples are closed to non-Hindus (Pashupatinath, Taleju, the inside of Patan's Krishna Mandir…): you look from outside.
- Don't touch offerings, statues or people at prayer; don't step on offerings placed on the ground.
- Photos: ask before photographing a person, a ritual or the inside of a shrine. At the Pashupatinath cremations, keep your distance.
Dress
Shoulders and knees covered in sacred places, and preferably everywhere outside the tourist districts. Short shorts and vests, tolerated in Thamel and Lakeside, are frowned upon elsewhere. Public displays of affection (kissing) make many Nepalis uncomfortable.
Everyday gestures
- Namaste, palms together, to greet: people don't always shake hands, especially between men and women.
- The right hand is used to give, receive and eat; the left is considered impure. To show respect, hand something over with your right hand while touching your forearm with your left.
- The head is sacred, the feet impure: don't touch someone's head (even a child's), don't point your feet at a person or an altar, don't step over someone sitting on the ground.
- “Jutho”: food or drink touched by someone else's mouth is impure. You don't share your fork, and you drink from a shared bottle without touching it with your lips.
- The sideways head wobble often means “yes” or “OK”.
- Patience: raising your voice or getting angry makes everyone lose face and rarely solves the problem.
If you're invited
Take off your shoes at the entrance to the house, don't go into the kitchen unless invited, and accept at least one cup of tea. A small gift (fruit, sweets) is appreciated. Dal bhat is traditionally eaten with the right hand; asking for a spoon won't offend anyone.
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