For Myanmar cultural tour, most of Myanmar people are indeed quite eager to share their thoughts with you and introduce you to Myanmar culture and also love to keep their Myanmar traditional culture and religious. For Myanmar Buddhists, especially, the acquisition of spiritual merit by giving to monks, adding gold-leaf layers to Buddha images-help worshippers achieve enlightenment. This is why Myanmar locals in towns that lack a health clinic may bang alms bowls on the side of the road for donations to help build a new pagoda in Myanmar. In Myanmar cities, large apartment blocks are connected to more or less around the clock electricity. Myanmar cities residents are better educated, sometimes, working as lawyers, doctors, clerks and officials that are they work in the buildings. They're a bit more internationally aware, and likely to speak more English. They are honest, friendly, active and also can speak English as well.
Exiled writer pascal Khoo Thwe writes that, growing up in Myanmar's hills,
Myanmar traditional family life meant that "earth is round at school and flat at home", meaning some aspects of modern life are left, along with your shoes, outside the door at home.
Even small-scale open dialogue is not an everyday aspect of life. One exiled my friend explained: "the most important thing I got out of being in England was watching political TV shows, where people were arguing, and explaining different viewpoints. That never happens at home." It tends to surprise Myanmar locals if an American tourist vocalizes disapproval of George W bush's policies, for example. Myanmar Locals here tend to cheer for Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea. Families in Myanmar are big, and the birth of a boy or girl is a big occasion. While boys are coddled more, girls are equally welcomed, as they're expected to look after parents later in life as their Myanmar culture. You might find three or four generations of a family living in a two or three rooms house. Some thatched huts in the countryside have generators pumping life into the TV a couple hours a night. Running water outside the cities and bigger towns are rare. Many families put coconut symbols of the house guardian nat(spirit)inside in Myanmar.
The bulk of Myanmar village life revolves around the farm. Here Yangon's politics or dreams of wealth can pale in importance to the season, the crop, the level of the river (where they bathe, clean and get their drinking water) and Buddha.
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Myanmar people are warm, genial, generous and open with a special welcome for foreigners. Myanmar people greet each other with expressions which exhibit consideration for the other person. If it is meal-time, the greeting is "have you had your meal?" In schools, Myanmar children greet their teacher with Mingalar bah. The teacher replies with the same expression. When foreigner asks what the equivalent Myanmar expression is for "Good morning" or "Good evening", they reply Mingalar bah. However that from of Myanmar greeting is not commonly used by Myanmar people.
Myanmar etiquette is based upon respect for ethers. Elders and anyone who holds an important position, such as Myanmar teachers and Burmese monks, must be given respect as one of Myanmar culture. On visits to pagodas, Myanmar temples and shrines, care should be taken not to show disrespect. Proper dress should be worn no skimpy or see-through tops and knees should be covered. Shoes and socks should be removed in the precinct of Myanmar pagoda, temple or shrine. Religious objects neither should nor be pointed at with the feet in Myanmar. When sitting, the feet should be tucked away from the religious objects in Myanmar.
Do not pose for photographs before Buddha images or shrines in a disrespectful manner inn Myanmar. Images of the Buddha, once they enshrined, should not be touched by women. If holy objects are purchased, they should be displayed respectfully as Myanmar culture. This means not displaying them at the foot of the stairs or at a low level. When visiting Myanmar monasteries, sit lower than the monk and tuck the feet away from him. Women should not touch the Burmese Myanmar monk, no even his robes. The monk will not ask for anything. If you wish to donate an object, it should be presented with both hands. If money is to be donated, it's should be put in an envelope and placed on the floor at his feet. The head of a person is considered worthy of respect in Myanmar. Do nor pat or touch it, even with affection. Do not point to a person or object with the feet while traveling Myanmar. Keep the feet at the lowest level. Never put them on the table or chair. Myanmar women do not normally shake hands. A warm smile with a slight nod is sufficient.
As a Myanmar cultural tour, Myanmar names consist of single word(Nu, for example), two words(Hla Min), or three words(khine Maung Myint), but each is a complete unit. If you use only one word of the name you destroy meaning. There are no family names, only given names, so people within the same family will probably have names with no common element. Myanmar people do not change their names when they marry. There are Myanmar equivalents of Mister, Miss, Miss ect, U is used in addressing a man older than yourself, or one with social or official standing. Similarly for women, Daw is used in addressing a married woman or one of standing. A second less formal term is used in addressing people of about the same age and standing, or among close acquaintances. Ko or Maung for men and boys and Ma for women and girls.
The Myanmar people recognize that foreigners have different ways and accept us as who we are. At the same time, your willingness to learn the Myanmar culture is greatly appreciated in Myanmar.