1.Religious influence and Common Courtesies

2.What you should do and don't

3.Let speak Lao

 

Lao peole boast a plethora of distinctive monuments and architectural styles. One of the most notable structures is That Luang, the Great Sacred stupa, in Vientiane. Its dome like stupa and four-cornered superstructure is the model for similar monuments throughout Laos. Stupas serve to commemorate the life of the Buddha and many stupas are said to house sacred relics (parts of Buddha's body).

Generally, Hinayana Buddhists cremate the dead body then collect the bone and put in the stupa which up around the temple. Different styles of architecture are evident in the numerous buddhist vats. Three architectural styles can be distinguished, corresponding to the geographical location of temple and monasteries.Vats built in Vientiane are large rectangular structures constructed of brick and covered with stucco and high-peaked roofs. In Luang Phrabang the roofs sweep very low and, unlike in Vientiane, almost reach the ground. These two styles are different from Vats of Xieng Khuang where the temple roofs are not tiered.

Lao religious images and art are also distinctive and set Lao apart from its neighbours. The 'Calling for Rain' posture of Buddha images in Lao, for example, which depicts the Buddha standing with his hands held rigidly at his side, fingers pointing to the ground, can not be found in other Southeast Asian Buddhist art traditions.

Religious influences are also pervasive in classical Lao literature, especially in the Pha Lak Pha Lam, the Lao version of India's epic Ramayana. Projects are underway to preserve classic Lao religious scrips which were transcriped into palm leaf manuscripts hundreds of years ago and stored in Vats. Another exellent example for the richness of of Lao culture is its folk music, which is extremely popular with people throughout the whole country. The principal instrucment is the Khaen, a wind instrument which comprises a double row of bammboo-like reeds fitted into a hardwood soundbox. The Khaen is often accompanied by a bowed string instrument or saw. The national folk dance is the lamvong, a circle dance in which people dance circles around each other so that ultimately there are three circles: a circle danced by the individual, another one by the couple, and a third one danced by the whole party.

Common Courtesies

Lao people are frank, open and friendly, and they possess a strongly developed sense of courtesy and respect. Everyone who adheres to the latter will receive a warm welcome.

The generally accepted from of greeting among Lao people is the Nop. It is performed by placing one's palm together in a position of praying at chest level, but not touching the body. The higher the hands, the greater the sign of respect. Nonetheless, the hands should not be held above the level of the nose. The Nop is accompanied by a slight bow to show repect to persons of higher status and age. It is also used as an expression of thanks, regret or saying good-bye. But with western people it is acceptable to shake hands.

When entering a vat or a private home it is customary to remove shoes. In Lao homes raised off the ground, the shoes are left at the stairs. In traditional homes one sits on low seats or cushions on the floor. Men usually sit with their legs crossed or folded to one side, women prefer solely the latter. Upon entering guests may be served fruit or tea. These gestures of hospitality should not be refused.

Since the head is considered the most sacred part of the body and of the soles of the feet the least, one should not touch a person's head nor use one's foot to point at a person or any object. Moreover men and women rarely show affection in public.
It is also forbidden for a women to touch a Buddhist monk

DO AND DON’T

Do,
-Keep your smile and greet strangers with “ sa bai dee”.
-Remove your shoes when entering Wat or Lao home.
-Take care when driving. Traffic is undisciplined. At night, cyclists use no lights. Be vigilant at traffic lights. Vehicles and cyclists often stop in the right lane to turn left and vice versa. They may do so directly in front of you without looking and without signaling.
-Attempt to learn some Lao
-If you display a Buddha image for decorative purposes (it’s better no to do so), place it at a lofty height and definitely not in a stairwell.
-Cultivate patience, remember to reinforce requests if something is required on a routine basis; otherwise, the assumption is that you wanted it once only.
-If you’re a woman, keep your shoulders covered and make sure that clothes have at least cap sleeves if meeting Lao people or going to the market.
-Kneel when putting money into the “ donations box” in a wat.
Don’t
-Shout and rage at a Lao, you lose face.
-Reprimand a Lao in front of others. He loses face
-Place your feet, the least respected part of the body, on a table in the company of Lao. This is insulting.
-Indicate with your foot. When seated on the floor in company or wat (temple) of Lao, keep feet tucked below or behind you. Try not to have the sole of your foot directed to ward anyone. Take care when sitting cross-legged.
-Pat a child on the head or abuse a Lao’s head in any way. The head is the most sacred part of the body.
-Wear scanty clothes in public. No matter how hot the weather, shorts of any kind are inappropriate as office attire.
-Be irritated by giggles when you consider the occasion to be anything but a laughing matter. They often hide embarrassment or shyness.-If you’re a woman, attempt to shake the hand of a monk, hand anything to him directly or sit beside him. Monks are not allowed to touch women. If you wish to hand something to a monk, do so through a male, offer it on a tray, or place it on a table or on the ground in front of him.

 

Greeting
Hello! Hi!- Chang dai ( sa bai dee)

Good morning -Sa bai dee
Good afternoon -Sa bai dee
Good evening -Sa bai dee

How are you? -Chao sa bai dee baw?
How do you do? -Chao sa bai dee baw?
I’m fine, thanks -Khoy sa bai dee, Khob chai
And you -Lae chao de:I’m fine, too -Khoy sa bai dee, keu kan
I’m pleased to meet you -Khoy dee chai lai thee dai phob chao
Good by-La kon
See you -Laew phob kan mai
Name
What’s your name? -Chao seu gnang?
My name is…. -Khoy seu….
What’s his/her name? -Lao/nang seu gnang?
How old are you? -Chao a: gnu chak pee?
I’m twenty years old -Khoy a: gnu sao pee
Are you married? -Cha sang khob khua laew baw
Yes/no -Sang laew/ gnang baw sang
Taxi
Where is the taxi station -sathanee lod taxi yu sai
How far from here to…?-Kai pan dai chak nee pai ha…?
How much to…? -Thao dai/chak kip pai ha…?
Too expensive -Pheng lai/ pheng thae
Bus
Where is the bus station? -Sa tha nee lod me: yu sai?
What time will the bus leave?-Lod me: cha awk chak mong?
How much is the fare? -Pee lod thao dai?
Does this bus go to? -Lod nee cha pai thang dai?
Boat
Where can we get on the boat? -Phuak hao cha pai kheun heua yu sai?
What time does it leave? -Chak mong heua cha awk?
Air
Where can I buy a plane ticket? -khoy sa mad pai seu pee heua bin yu sai?
Hotels/guesthouse
Is there any hotels/guest house near by? -Yu nee mee hong haem/ban phak baw?
Can I/we stay here? -Khoy /phuak hao phak yu nee dai baw?
Do you have a room? -Chao mee hong phak baw?
How much per night? -Kheun neung thao dai?
Do you have any other room? -Chao mee hong eun eek baw?