Drinking Customs in Laos
Laotians frequently consume "lao lao" and eat food while partying on the home's floor. The host, or an older man who serves as the bartender, oversees the gathering and starts the drinking by drawing out a bottle, pouring the first shot on the ground to honor the house spirit, and then taking a shot himself.
After that, the host serves lao lao in a shot glass to the person to his left. The drinker raises his glass, looks around at the other guests, and swallows the shot whole. The glass is returned to the bartender, who makes a shot for the following individual and repeats the process. There must be at least nine drinks per guest. Refusing is quite rude. Refusing the first drink is nearly unheard of, but subsequent drinks may be declined.
A website that provided information on conducting business in Laos stated: "In the Lao drinking ritual, one person, usually the host, travels around the room serving a shot glass of whiskey to each guest. The server must drink first and everyone in attendance must see it. You might assume this crucial role as the guest of honor as well. It will please the host. But take care. Each guest will ask you to drink from the glass first as you go around the table. You are free to decline and divert their focus with humor.
