Laos1. To make a good impression it would be best to introduce yourself the Lao way, which is, 'sabai dee bor', (Hello or are you well?). Talking to them about Laos and the events that go on could be as if you know about their country or asking the right questions could make it seem like you're interested.
2. In Laos, when speaking to someone you must be one arm's length from them, with family and friends it can be closer. 3. Public displays of affection, anger or other emotions are not acceptable in Laos. A display of anger will cause you to lose face quickly. Displays of love and affection are simply never seen in public. 4. Employees are provided training to develop skills and safe conditions to work in, alongside water, showers, toilets, etc. The workplace must have its own Internal Regulations and they must not conflict with Labour Law. They must be approved by the Labour Administration Authority. Normal hours = 6 days a week, no longer than 8 hours a day or 48 hours a week. Overtime is allowed but with limits. There's one day's rest a week, when there's a holiday workers must be given 6 holiday days. Sick leave, annual leave, and personal leave are allowed but they do have instructions to them. 5. Females are in lower or lighter duty jobs and don't always have equal opportunities because of the lack of education or obligations due to marriage. Males are the breadwinners. They may have an easier time finding employment than a female. Women are not allowed to smoke or they are considered prostitutes or ill-mannered. It is common for men to smoke though. Buddhism is the national religion. 90% of Laos is made up of Buddhists. Laotians accept other religions and cultures just as long as they don't try to convert Laotians to their religion. The higher class can afford better education which means better jobs. Lower classes are less educated and have lower skilled jobs. There are 68 ethnic groups in Laos and there is little racial tension between groups. Lao Loom is the main group or largest in Laos. 6. Visit temples and ancient ruins in Louang Prabang and the That Luang temple in Vientiane. Shop at the Morning Market. Most of the monks speak English. There are different celebrations and cultural activities in Laos, attend them. 7. National Heroes: Souphanou Vong and Kaisone Phomvichan, they led the communist movement and united Laos and Vietnam against the Lao Royal Emperor. 8. Lao families are extended. the oldest man is the patriarch of the family and represents the family at meetings. The Lao have great respect for parents and elders. the family unit in Laos is usually a nuclear family. 9. Work in Laos is pretty hard to come by and the economy is quite a poor state throughout the country. The best way for expats to earn money in Laos is by teaching English in a Lao school or college. Although, their industry is growing. 10. Laos loves sports. Their most popular sport is soccer, they love it. They have 2 national sports which are, Muay Lao and Sepak Takraw. Sepak Takraw is like volleyball and soccer, there's a net in the middle and you have to get the ball over without using your hands but only your feet, head, and chest. 11. Healthcare in Laos is inadequate and uneven. Parts of Laos have limited healthcare, mostly in urban areas. 12. The educational system in Laos has been reorganized, education is now available to every kid and it's free until the 5th grade, although fees for books, paying teachers, and supplies are too high. 13. That Luang Festival- The 'That Luang' is an important national public holiday. It's a Buddhist celebration held around the the That Luang, which is the oldest name of the highest acclaimed of all Buddhist temples (stupas). The 'That Luang' Festival is held for 3 continuous days which begins on the full moon of the twelfth month of the Buddhist Calendar. Lao New Year- The Lao New Year is one of the most important celebrations in Laos. the celebration begins on New Year's Eve and ends 3 days afterwards or it can go on for a week, when it ends is when the new year is marked and starts. Celebrating activities and traditions are sand decorations, cleansing with water, freedom to animals, flower arrangements, pageants, dancing and music, food, and greetings. Boat Racing Festival- Boat racing is an event throughout the whole country, the most popular one is Vientiane. It lasts 3 months long, they are held on the weekend, beginning at noon and ending by sunset. Ban Khao Phansa- This is when Buddhist monks stay at a pagoda and focus on meditation as well as strict observance of their religion, they may not sleep anywhere but in their pagoda. Lao people bring food to these monks in their pagodas which is called, "tak bat, it means "morning offering". Other rituals are performed. Children's Day- Every June 1st is Children's Day. During Children's day, children get the chance to take part in festive events, the government stresses that children are the future. Kids go through events, they can read, dress up, and sing. It's their day. Labour Day- On this day, every May 1st workers are recognized for their contributions. There are lectures, rallies, and "community walks" to promote workers and the advancement of workers' rights. National Day- In Laos, National Day is a public holiday where people respect and recall the creation of the Lao's People Democratic Republic in 1975. It allows citizens to celebrate their history and it provides a day of rest. 14. Literature in Laos was Buddhist writing named Pali, the language of Buddhism. Religious writings such as animist writings were written from oral histories and stories. Court documents, histories, and commerce documents were written in Lao or Thai. French was then taught to the upper class who could afford it. Their first book published in Lao was in 1944 called The Sacred Buddha Image. Some writings were often transcribed and translated by the Khmer script. The largest and well-preserved poems were those of the stories pf Sin Xay, Thao Hung Thao Cheuang and Phra Lak Phra. Art in Laos is like a showcase they're full of Buddhist and sculptured art. Most of their art is made out of metal like bronze, gold, and silver. Sculptures used other materials as well like brick-and-mortar and wood. Most of them depict Buddha in a meditative state. In Buddha Park there is Buddhist statues and many other arts, statues from there are mostly created from reinforced concrete. Once some construction working men found several of kilns. Textiles and other handcrafted arts are also important to Laotian art. Arts like paper-making, basket-weaving, embroidery, tapestry weaving, and woodcarving have been passed down from generations, dragons and mythical animals are common themes in these pieces of artwork. The French introduced European-style painting and sculptures to them as well. They had opened up art schools to teach how to make art. 15. Popular Lao food would consist of Sticky Rice (Khao Niao) it is popular throughout Laos, it is steamed in a cone-shaped bamboo basket and placed in a covered basket where it's eaten alongside other dishes, it can be eaten anytime of day. Minced Meat Salad (Larb) it is served with fish sauce, lime juice, fermented fish juice, ground rice, and fresh herbs, it is served on a platter. Green Papaya Salad (Tam Mak Hoong) is usually served in bowl. Steamed Fish (Mok Pa) is wrapped in banana leaves and tied with bamboo string, it must be paired with sticky rice. Baguette (Khao Jee) is a favorited snack in Laos, it can be eaten during breakfast or lunch, it's served out on the streets and is served like a sub. Wet Noodles (Khao Piak Sen) are usually served in a bowl with freshly sliced lemons on the side and is made with rice, it's served as a soup. Lao Sausages (Sai Uah, Sai Gok) are hung outside for days and served just as is, you eat it with your hands with sticky rice. Noodle Soup (Phor) is a soup served in a bowl with a basket containing fresh herbs, chilies, limes, and bean sprouts. Pancakes are sold in the streets with different kinds of fruits inside them. |
Indonesia1. A good discussion topic would be talking about city or area of origin. Talking about family will give you a good impression to Indonesians. Ask about where they work, in what they are skilled in, and their interests.
2. Most Indonesians are shy. They don't talk much and barely ask questions unless they're from a certain part of Indonesia. They use a lot of body language when they talk. Pointing is considered rude and pointing with your toes is considered as arrogance. Shaking your head means, "no" and nodding means, "yes". When giving someone something and using your left hand is seen as impolite. Touching someone's shoulder or their upper back means encouragement but touching their head is considered very rude and arrogant. Looking into someone's eyes is considered rude and arrogant as well, especially between a youngster and a senior person. People avoid having direct eye contact when discussing with one another. 3. Indonesians believe that showing affection is private and should not be depicted in public. Showing a lot of bare skin should be avoided. Impatient, raising your voice, shouting and displaying anger are referred to as uneducated and unprofessional. 4. Indonesia is a tropical country which means it is hot and very humid. People sweat but they're allowed to wear a light undershirt unless there is a formal meeting. Men usually wear light short sleeve shirts and trousers. On the other hand, women wear short/long sleeve shirts and below the knees skirts. Clothes must be cleaned and ironed for work. Friday is sports day for Indonesia so they can wear sports clothing and shoes to work. Once or twice a week workers are allowed to wear uniform or batik. In some offices they can wear dresses/costumes once a week.Sandals are not acceptable unless they have straps. A person is considered successful at work if they do what they're on time, they meet deadlines, and are able to use manners towards others. Someone else has to make plans and deadlines for them. Their plan is what their manager plans. If they do not let their manager know that there's something happening like if they were to say that they needed to miss work to go to school and they went but didn't let their manager know, their manager would say that they were bluffing the next day. 5. Having a certain religion is important in Indonesia. Every Indonesian has to have a religion and have it declared in their identity card. If you're Muslim you're obligated to pray 5 times a day, this doesn't interfere with work, you can pray. Class exists in Hinduism. There are over 300 ethnic identities. Over 50% of the population is Javanese ethnic. A person can tell where a person comes simple by the way they speak "Bahasa Indonesia", the national Indonesian language. Someone can also guess the region of a person by their name or their family's name. Most Indonesians are Muslims and the husbands are the leaders and protectors of the family. If the wife has a good education and wants to work she has to ask for permission by her husband. If the husband lets her work outside, the salary she makes is hers. If she voluntarily helps her husband with household expenses, it is good mannerism. In general the wife seeks her husband for professional opportunities. Most Indonesian men allow their wives to work, be educated, and have a career. Women at work are respected as equally as men. Gender does not restrict women with a career. If her family needs her and she continues working, she keeps her job but has a low profile. 6. The local cinemas and markets are recommended to visit. Travel to tourist sites with markets. Learn the local traditional instruments. Visit the Sultan's Palace, Buddhist and Hindu temples, and watch the performance of the Ramayana. Visit craftsmen and batik producers. Visit paddy fields and watch puppet shows. Visit Toraja with their funeral rituals and the Dayak people and various people from tribes. 7. There are 168 National Heroes set by the Indonesian Government. Some are: Sultan Agung, Nyi Ageng Serang, Diponegoro, Martha Christina Tiahahu, Cut Nyak Dien, R.A. Kartini, Abdul Muis, Soetomo, Ki Hajar Dewantoro, Soekarno. Mohammad Hatta, Muhammad Yamin, Wage Rudolf Supratman, Sudirman, and Bung Tomo. 8. Family is very important in Indonesia and it's very common for extended families that include grandparents, cousins, etc. that live in one place. The dad is the patriarch of the family. The families are very traditional in structure and all play a role. People have responsibility for their families and for their elders. Children are also expected to watch out for their old parents, they learn from a young age. 9. You need to have a workers permit in Indonesia to work. Indonesia's economy is mixed. Younger people or people from other countries usually find jobs as English teachers or tourism. Finding a job in Indonesia is challenging but not impossible. There is only 6.6% of unemployment. there is 45% of work force in service sectors. 10. Recreational activities in Indonesia consist of bull-racing, stone-jumping, and pencak silat. Some sports are soccer, being the most popular, badminton, the second most popular sport, basketball, boxing, surfing, and sepak bola api. 11. Expats in Indonesia are not covered with Indonesian healthcare and those who are on a retired visa and are living in Indonesia are required to have medical insurance by law. Healthy Indonesians and expats often go to Singapore to access better healthcare. Healthcare facilities in Indonesia are limited. Expats in Indonesia tend to have private healthcare. 12. Some say Indonesia has had the worst educational system in the world. Indonesia ranked last in literacy, test results, and graduation rates in 2013. 13. Eid- is a most celebrated holiday Indonesia. Eid marks the end of Ramadan. It is Muslim's holiest month after fasting for a month. It is celebrated with close friends and family. Christmas- People in Indonesia celebrate Christmas but call it Natal, all throughout December there are public decorations. Christians in Indonesia attend church. New Year's Day- Indonesians celebrate New Year's Day. In the New Year's week there are vendors selling fireworks on the streets. Some people go to parties. when the clock hits midnight fireworks are released into the air. Indonesia Independence Day- This holiday is very popular and widely celebrated. the celebration may continue for a month. There is a flag raising ceremony in every city in Indonesia. Small neighborhoods hold games and competitions. It is celebrated to recall the time Indonesia declared independence. Chinese New Year- The holiday occurs every new lunar year. The Chinese in Indonesia enthusiastically celebrate it. There are feasts among friends and family. People always share the red envelope in Indonesia, it contains money, children and the elderly mostly receive. Balinese Hinduism New Year- The holiday is very popular in Bali which celebrates Hinduism in Bali. It is celebrated without electricity and they do not travel to any other place. It is believed by the people who celebrate it that it is a day for one to reflect upon themselves. Waisak Day- It is a day to remember the life, the death, and the enlightenment of Buddha. Buddhists go to temples for ceremonies. They give flowers as offerings and to show respect for Buddha. Easter Day- Christians in Indonesia celebrate Easter. Malls and hotels often hold events. There is parties and egg hunts for children. It is celebrated according to the Christian religion and to their reason to celebrate it. Labour Day- It is celebrated for the workers in Indonesia. It's a reminder for the improvement workers rights. Idul Adha- The Muslim day for sacrifice. Muslims will go to mosques to attend service. There is animal meat shared to the people. It's a day filled with care and warmth for those who are less fortunate. Pancasila Day- it is a holiday from when Indonesia's first president gave his speech, he declared the 5 important principles. Indonesians know them by heart and try to use them in their daily life. the principles hold life philosophy and Indonesian core values. 14. The literature of Indonesia includes Malaysia and Brunei. Indonesian literature is written in a multitude of languages. Early literature was written in Malay but it includes Indonesian, Javanese, Sundanese, Batak, Balinese, Madurese, Dutch, or English. Malay and Indonesian are very similar languages. Traditional literature is marked as after Islam. before the 20th century stories and histories were oral. Then there's older Malay literature. The Balai Pustaka was formed, it's and agency that was responsible for promoting and publishing literature. The first Indonesian novels were published during the time of the Balai Pustaka which helped publish these novels. An era called New Literates came out, it was a a group of youth who sensed a change in literature, their result was the first Indonesian literary magazine. Indonesian arts would include, Asmat totem-like bisji poles, Batak tribal masks, Nias tribal art statues, Toraja wood carving, Sumba ikat weaving, and Javanese silverware. Most of the art was religious based with natural based themes. the Dutch arrived and showed the Indonesians about art techniques. Sculptures were important in Indonesian art. Temples and shrines were the main sites for religious art. 15. Indonesian Satay- Satay is meat skewers cooked over coals. They are usually served with rice cakes with peanut sauce poured all over them. They are sold by street vendors and are served on sticks. Beef Rendang- This is thick beef slices that are slowly cooked with blends of coconut milk and spices. Rice is typically served on the sides, it is served on a bowl or plate. Nasi Goreng- A simple dish with numerous styles. It is steamed rice thrown in a pan and served with chili, shrimp paste, onions, garlic, tomato sauce, and soy sauce, other ingredients may also be added such as, chicken, lamb, pork, beef, green peas, cabbages, mushrooms, eggs, and slices of cucumbers. It is served in a plate. Bakso- It is meatball soup, it is a street dish. A bowl of basco is served with rice vermicelli or egg noodles, tofu, boiled eggs coated in the same meatball mixture, chili, fried onion pieces, and sweet soy sauce. It is served in a bowl. Nasi Uduk- Rice boiled in coconut milk mixed with coriander, salt, bay leaves, and lemongrass. it is often served with fried or grilled chicken, or beef strips, and sliced cucumber and lemon basil leaves. It is served topped with fried shallots and other soups and salads on the side. Some serve them wrapped in banana leaves with a many choices or it is served in a bowl. |
Vietnam1. Good topics include customs and family. They'll then want to know what you think about Vietnam. Vietnamese appreciate when they are asked personal questions about them. You should sensitive topics like politics, religion, democracy, and human rights. A good impression would be speaking some Vietnamese.
2. In formal events or meetings women and men shake hands. They usually say, "Hi" or "How are you?" They maintain a certain distance when speaking to someone. Hugging is becoming more common in Vietnam with younger people to greet one another. They do not maintain eye contact but they do not feel offended if someone did make eye contact with them. Hand gestures are not common in communication. Sitting on a table, pointing, and slouching should be avoided. Vietnamese avoid direct confrontation and keeping face in public is important to them. They prefer to speak in an indirect manner. Discussion takes place behind the scenes in the workplace to seek agreement. 3. In business or formal scenes, Vietnamese don't show their emotions. Away from the workplace and in public it is acceptable to show displays of emotions. 4. Vietnamese can be very strict, so it is best if you are punctual and formal, mostly in work-related meetings. Wear clean and ironed clothes. For women, a blouse or dress with sleeves. For men, shirts and pants, no t-shirts and no jackets. Appearance is important in the work force. offices are usually open from 7:30/8:00 a.m. to 4:30/5:00 p.m. 5. Religion: Vietnam is an atheist country. Although, they do follow "informal" religious customs and folk religions. They are allowed to practice their religions but they are monitored by the government. Some major religions in Vietnam are, Mahayana Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Theravada Buddhism, Hao Hao, and Cao Dai. Religion remains as one of the most politically sensitive topics. Class: Class is not discussed in Vietnam. Vietnamese aren't interested in knowing one's class but their origin and background. Ethnicity: Vietnam has 54 ethnic groups, they all have their own language, lifestyle, and cultural heritage. "Kinh" is the largest ethnic group in Vietnam. Human rights in ethnic minorities remain as a politically sensitive issue. The government has tried to build schools, schools, etc. for ethnic minorities. Gender: Vietnam has promoted gender equality with women and men but it is still a male-dominated society. Vietnamese women still face many challenges like poverty, limited higher education and employment opportunities, discriminatory attitudes and behaviors, under-representation in politics. Although females from outside the country are usually respected and rarely face discrimination at the workplace. 6. Talking to a person's Vietnamese colleagues is a good way to learn more about the Vietnamese culture and people. Local restaurants, coffee shops, markets, parks, museums, cultural houses, etc. Attend traditional and cultural events. Visit the countryside, other cities, and towns. 7. National heroes in Vietnam include Hai Ba Trung, Ngo Quyen, Dinh Tien Hoang, Ly Thuong Kiet, Tran Hung Dao, Le Loi, Nguyen Trai, Quang Trung, Nguyen Hue, Vo Nguyen Giap, etc. Streets are named after them in honor for the rich history that they brought of fighting foreign invaders. 8. Family and marriage are important in Vietnam. Divorce remains uncommon but is frequent in cities. Roles are unable to bend and they are extended families. The man is responsible for economic well-being and is a provider. Discipline is seen as parental duty. Women are expected to submit to their husband or their eldest son if widowed and daughters to their fathers. Older siblings are supposed to watch out for younger siblings. 9. Vietnam's economy is sustaining impressive growth. Expats are free from social security contributions. Getting a work permit can be complicated. Vietnamese companies function in a hierarchical manner. 10. Recreational activities in Vietnam consist of gambling, card playing, "bird watching", T.V, restaurants, nightclubs, and cricket fights. Important sports in Vietnam are horse racing, soccer, basketball, volleyball. swimming. hiking, ping pong, and tennis. 11. Vietnam is working on making a universal healthcare system. Vietnam has made progress since the 1900's it is providing good healthcare. Although, in rural areas there aren't much hospitals or good healthcare. 12. There are 5 stages in Vietnam's educational system which are, pre-primary, primary, intermediate, secondary, and higher education. Children enjoy 12 years of basic education until they move onto college, university, or work. Education plays a big role in Vietnamese life. Education is seen as a chance of advancement. There is a huge demand for education in Vietnam. Although, some schools mainly universities aren't very good and parents spend time investing in time and money to put their child in a good school. The education section is progressing though as the government invests in it. 13. Tet, Vietnamese New Year- Tet is described as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and your birthday all at once. Mid-Autumn Festival- this holiday honors the harvest time and family. Vietnam Lunar New Tear Festival. Giong Festival- It is celebrated in Spring in parts of Hanoi in order to recall and respect Saint Giong, one of the four immortals in Vietnam. 14. Literature in Vietnam was divided into two styles, a classical style based on the Chinese model and a vernacular one based on local themes and genres. Classical literature was written in literary Chinese and formed into poetry, history, and essays. Vernacular literature was written in chu nom and formed into poetry as well or verse novels. The French colonial influenced Vietnamese literature. Drama, poetry and novels were written. In the North a new form of literature was created. Painting is the most significant art in Vietnam, they usually paint their environment. 15. Pho- Rice noodles in soup with meat and many greens, plus a side of fermented fish or chili sauce. A basic bowl containing, beef slices, beef meatballs, or beef flank with bean sprouts, lime wedges, and fresh herbs. Served in a bowl. Banh Mi- Unique French-Vietnamese sandwich. It has toasted baguette sandwich with pickled vegetables, pate, butter, soy sauce, cilantro, chilies, and hot peppers. It is also served with meat fillings. Served as a sandwich. Goi Cuon- These Vietnamese fresh spring rolls consist of thin vermicelli noodles, pork slices, shrimp, basil, and lettuce all tightly wrapped in rice paper. These rolls are usually served with ground chilies and hoisin-based dipping sauce topped with crushed peanuts. They are served as rolls. |