Lao Voices

“Some western people visiting Laos behave like a Dutch farmer on wooden shoes in a china shop. Some other westerners are tip-toeing around anxious not to upset their delicate hosts.” This is from Stickyrice.wordpress.com, it’s amusing statement that might have some truth in it, but it’s hard for me to picture what a Dutch farmer on wooden shoes looks like, I’m picturing ‘Jek Tirn Fai’ (Chinese yelling when they see fire), this is often used if someone is extremely loud.

This part of the article is great, “Monks have taken a vow of celibacy and have chosen not to have any physical contact with women. As a woman, please be careful not to touch a monk or his robe. If you want to hand something to a monk, just place it on the ground in front of him.” Read the rest of the article of Do’s & Don’t in Laos.

I love the cartoon, I recalled that Mrs. Bush shook hand with a monk during her visit to Thailand, no matter whom you are, it’s inappropriate to touch a monk if you’re a female. I was taught to crouch or stoop down a little to show respect when monks passing by.

Lao People’s Democratic Republic has opened its doors to welcome tourists from every continent around the world in 1998. The tourism sector plays a significant role in the socio-economic development of the Lao PDR. In 1995, UNESCO officials deemed Luang Prabang “the best preserved city in Southeast Asia,” and placed the city on its World Heritage list. It was made a WHS because it is a well-preserved and outstanding example of the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures with those built by the European colonial authorities in the 19th and 20th centuries. Since then, tourism has soared.

I believed that Laos is no longer a sleepy beauty as many claimed, but it has waken and is moving toward modernization, and somewhat difficult in trying to keep it as Lao classic. Lao Women’s Union is working hard in The Fight to Preserve Lao Traditional Dress. It appears to me that the burden falls on the women and this might be because the clothes worn by local women are often the first representation of our culture that is apparent to foreigners. According to Mr. Bouangeun, “Our regulations won’t force people to dress appropriately, but the directives should be aimed at public figures, such as singers, presenters and performers, in order to set a good example to others,” this, I think is a positive step to take. I’d assume that the dress code is stricter, and enforced in Luang Prabang area, as most Lao women are probably expected to wear Sinh at Wat (Buddhist Temple,) and also for those Lao women that wish to conduct business in government offices throughout the country.

If you’re planning to visit Laos, I think it’s a good idea to know the culture and as for the dress code, dress should be modest for both men and women, avoid short, tight skirts because Laotians consider it disrespectful to dress too revealing. Also, shoes should be removed before entering a home or Buddhist temple. When entering Wat (Buddhist Temple), it is best to observe the dress code and I think ladies should wear sinh (a traditional skirt/tubular skirt), a dress or at least a suitable long skirt and shoulders must be covered. As for me personally, to be on the safe side, I’d carry my Sinh wherever I go, it can easily be worn over my pants or shorts.

If you look at our neighboring country, Thailand in particular, they also have dress code when you enter the Grand Palace and this also includes tourists as well, and proper attire is expected and if you don’t dress properly, then they have clothes for you to wear, which means clothes that were worn by many others. I think to foreigners, this could be very confusing because the Thais obviously know the appropriate clothing attire for places such as this and dressed accordingly, but the foreigners seeing the Thais as wearing what ever they want, and the dress code might only appears to foreigners, but in reality, it’s for all, and to show respect, one must dress appropriately, keep in mind that you are a guest in their country.