A: It is important to know the local customs and taboos when touring in Tibet.
The Tibetan people practice many forms of social etiquette. Presenting hada is
most commonly seen - on weddings, funerals, festive occasions, and when visiting
an elderly or a respected person, or paying respects to Buddha.
Tibetans do
not address people directly by their name. Usually they attach an honorific. In
Lhasa, for example, people use the suffix "la." In xigaze, the prefix
"Agyi" or "Ajog" is attached to a man's name.
On meeting
an elderly or respected person, Tibetan take off their hats and bow, holding their
hat just a few inches above the ground. On meeting a peer, they merely lower their
head a little, and take off their hat to hold at their chest.
When visiting
a local family, a guest will be offered highland barley wine by the host, into
which he should dip his fourth finger and then flick, three times altogether.
The three drops of wine are meant for worshipping heaven, earth and Tibetan ancestors.
It is only then that the guest should take a sip, and have his cup refilled three
times. On the host refilling his cup a third time, the guest should empty it,
otherwise, the host will be insulted, and considering the guest impolite or arrogant.
While seated (sitting upright on the floor with legs crossed), the host will present
the guest with butter tea. The guest should wait for the host to hand over the
tea and not help himself/herself to it. When receiving a gift, the guest should
accept with both hands. When presenting a gift, he/she should bow and hold the
gift high above the head. When offering wine or tea, the guest should hold the
bowl with both hands, and his fingers should not touch its rim.
Tibetans
do not cat donkey, horse or dog meat. In some places, people eat neither fish
nor birds. Tibetan Buddhism also forbids the hunting and killing of wildlife.
When coming across monasteries, piles of Mani stones, pagodas and other religious
structures, people should walk around them clockwise. They should not step across
ritual utensils and firs basins, nor should they turn prayer wheels in the wrong
direction. Finally, one should never touch a Tibetan on the head. |
