DOs and DON'Ts

(This list will undoubtedly get bigger and bigger the longer I’m here)

DO stand up when an important person/official is entering a room.

When tea is offered by an important person/official, DON’T immediately start drinking it. DO wait until the honored person takes a sip first and then everyone can drink together.

DON’T drink out of plastic containers, i.e. a Nalgene bottle, in front of important people/officials.

Just because all your students’ second name is Dorji, DON’T assume they are all related. Most babies in Bhutan are named by lamas, not by the babies’ parents.

DO observe first. Then ask questions if you’re still confused.

When someone offers you something – even if you want it – DO try to decline two times before finally accepting. In the same token, when offering something to someone else, DON’T accept when s/he says, “no.” DO keep persisting in your offering. If they continue to decline after three offerings, DO finally give up.

When accepting something from someone older than you, DO take the object (or piece of paper or gift) with both hands. When giving a gift, DO give it with intention.

When shaking the hand of someone older than you or a dignitary like a minister, DO shake their one hand with your two hands and DO bow your head a little bit casting your eyes downward.

And, according to a female senator of Thimpu, DO "Loosen up on the idea of independence," meaning if a student offers to carry your bag for you, DO accept their help. DO extend help and DO accept help.