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• On greeting, the best way is to cup your hands in-front of your chest and say hello. ‘Hello’ in Khmer is ‘chom reap suor' or 'sous dey’ (informal), but if you say hello in English of course everyone will understand.

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• When saying goodbye, again cupping your hands and saying goodbye and thank you is most acceptable. Goodbye in Khmer is 'leah seun hai' and thank you is 'awkhun'.

 

• When you enter homes or pagodas, you will need to remove your shoes – for that reason slip-ons/sandals/thongs/crocs will be most convenient and practical (all very acceptable footwear for daytime or night-time).

 

• When sitting on the floor in homes or pagodas, feet should be to your side or sit cross-legged as it’s considered impolite to sit with your legs straight and pointing at someone.

 

• It's always warm – shorts are perfectly acceptable. T-shirts are best, otherwise short-sleeve shirts – singlets are OK for tourists but not recommended for the NGO. You can wear any of the above at the temples and the pagodas – although we would recommend to have your shoulders covered at the pagodas (no singlets) – out of respect more than anything else.

 

• Tipping is much appreciated throughout Cambodia, but in moderation - $1 at the max….. Keep in mind MOST people in Cambodia live on $1 a day – so  $1 is a lot of money. Cambodia's currency is the Riel, but US Dollars are accpeted everywhere.  1 USD is equivalent to approximately 4000 KHR.