Culture and Etiquette in Nepal

Nepal is tolerant of visitors’ mistakes, but a few habits go a long way. Most of them come down to respect for religion, elders and the right hand.

Greetings and the right hand

• “Namaste” with palms together is the universal greeting; it works for everyone, in every situation.
• Give and receive things, especially food and money, with the right hand or both hands. The left is considered unclean.
• Do not touch anyone on the head, and do not point the soles of your feet at people or shrines.

Temples, stupas and monasteries

• Remove shoes before entering temples and monastery prayer halls; leather belts and bags are sometimes refused in Hindu temples.
• Non-Hindus may not enter the inner sanctum of some temples, including the main Pashupatinath temple; signs make this clear.
• Walk clockwise around stupas, mani walls and chortens, keeping them on your right.
• Ask before photographing people, and never photograph cremations at Pashupatinath up close.
• Dress modestly at religious sites: covered shoulders and knees for everyone.

Homes and food

• Take your shoes off when entering a home. Accepting tea is polite; a refusal of a second helping is expected to be insisted upon.
• Food that has touched your plate or lips is “jutho” and should not be offered to others; do not eat from shared plates with your own spoon.
• In teahouses, order from the lodge where you sleep; it is how they make a living from cheap rooms.

Money, tipping and bargaining

• Tipping is customary for guides and porters (about 10–15 percent of their fee) and welcome in restaurants (5–10 percent if no service charge is added).
• Bargain in markets and with taxi drivers, good-naturedly; fixed-price shops and restaurants do not expect it.
• Avoid giving money or sweets to children who ask; it fuels begging. Donate to a school or clinic instead.

Festivals worth planning around

• Dashain (September–October): the biggest festival; many businesses close for several days and transport is packed.
• Tihar (October–November): the festival of lights, with houses decorated and dogs, cows and brothers honoured on successive days.
• Holi (March): the colour festival, celebrated with enthusiasm in Kathmandu and the Terai.
• Indra Jatra (September) in Kathmandu and Bisket Jatra (April) in Bhaktapur: spectacular chariot festivals.