Etiquette in Myanmar

Like many social cultures, etiquette varies greatly depending on one's status relative to the person in question.

Myanmar is bordered by India and Bangladesh to its west, Thailand and Laos to its east and China to its north and northeast.

[3] In the 9th century, the Bamar people entered the upper Irrawaddy valley and, following the establishment of the Pagan Kingdom in the 1050s, the Burmese language, culture and Theravada Buddhism slowly became dominant in the country.

In the 16th century, reunified by the Taungoo Dynasty, the country was for a brief period the largest empire in the history of Mainland Southeast Asia.

[4] The early 19th century Konbaung Dynasty ruled over an area that included modern Myanmar and briefly controlled Manipur and Assam as well.

Myanmar's recent political history is underlined by its struggle to establish democratic structures amidst conflicting factions.

This political transition from a closely held military rule to a free democratic system is widely believed to be determining the future of Myanmar.

The resounding victory of Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy in 2015 general elections has raised hope for a successful culmination of this transition.

[5][6] The Myanmar language has various ways to address people of different ranks, ages, and relationships.

In their absence a spoonful of rice is put aside first in the pot as a token of respect (ဦးချ u cha) before serving the meal.

It is characterized by a hesitation, reluctance or avoidance, to perform an action based on the fear that it will offend someone or cause someone to lose face or become embarrassed.

[16] Hpon refers to the cumulative result of past deeds, an idea that power or social position comes from merit earned in previous lives.

Young people would avoid sitting on a higher level than the elders or passing in front of them unless unavoidable, and then only treading softly with a slight bow.

Physical demonstrations of affection in public are common between friends of the same gender or between members of the family, but seldom seen between lovers.

It is thus common to see friends walking together holding hands or with arms round each other, but couples rarely do so, except in major cities.