What to do and what not to do in Nepal?

What’s to do and what’s don’t while you are in Nepal?

• No kissing, hugging or display of affections in the public.
• No smoking when you are entering temples or religious sites.
• Take your shoes off before you enter to temples, religious sites, or when you are invited into a Nepali home.
• Dress code: Both male and female are not advised to wear sleeveless tops, skimpy T-shirts and shorts. No nudity, no bikinis even you are in the river or doing any water sports. Your body must be covered at almost all the time. You wear nothing only in your room.
• Left hand is considered unclean. Use your right hand when you are giving, taking, eating, shaking hands and etc. Remember when receiving or giving money, you must use your right hand. NOTE: Nepalese will touch their right elbow with their left hand as they offer or take money as a mark of respect.
• The feet are considered unclean. Don’t kick someone, put your feet up on a chair or table, point your feet at someone or something revered or to touch someone else’s feet. Be careful where you point your feet when sitting in a Nepali home, as to point your feet at religious shines causes offense.
• Walk clockwise around any religious building or monuments like stupas to pay yours respects and have your wishes granted.
• Local people leave a small donation when visiting a temple, so if possible, do the same.
• You greet the local people with word: Namaste, where at the same time, you lift your hands in front of your chest like in a prayer position. Nepalese people tend not to shake hands (other than in formal office or work situations).
• Don’t throw rubbish onto a fire used for cooking. Fire is considered sacred.
• You must ask permission when you want to take a picture of people. Photographs are often not allowed inside temples and monasteries.