Hill Tribe Customs in Laos
Others contend that buying items from youngsters and giving money to beggars just encourages them, which is one of the lists of Laos culture, customs, and etiquette. If you give anything to one individual, a crowd will frequently swarm you and demand they're fair portion. Beggars frequent tourist-heavy locations like Times Square. Giving them money encourages them to harass tourists for cash rather than look for more ethical methods to make a living.
Giving children money encourages parents to stop sending them to school and instead send them out into the world to work for money. Criminal gangs will sometimes force youngsters who are begging to work, especially if there is high pay involved. Some individuals suggest providing the kids a food or donating money to their parents if you really want to help the kids.
- Many hill tribes fear photography. Don’t photograph anyone or anything without permission first.
- Show respect towards religious objects and structures. Don’t touch anything or enter or walk through any religious structure unless you are sure it is okay. If in doubt ask.
- Don’t interfere in rituals in any way.
- Don’t enter a village house without permission or an invitation. Sometimes you need to exercise caution entering a village by, for example, not walking through a gate reserved for forest spirits.
- Error on the side of restraint when giving gifts. Gifts of medicine may undermine confidence in traditional medicines. Gift of clothes may encourage them to abandon their traditional clothes.
