Etiquette - The Definitive Guide to Moving to Southeast Asia: Cambodia - page 90

In keeping with the lack of personal boundaries, Cambodians also demonstrate outward
signs of physical affection. You'll often see two young women holding hands or a couple
of men with their arms around one another. If you find yourself being touched or hugged,
understand this is a sign of affection and acceptance, and that there's nothing sexual or im-
proper about it.
There are also a number of personal habits which may be alarming to visitors from the
west. Everywhere you look, you'll see men urinating on walls or trees, and Cambodians
think nothing of picking their nose or spitting onto the street in public .
We've also encountered forms of reverse discrimination which made us feel awkward.
Once, my husband and I attended a large conference featuring speakers and attendees from
around the country. When the organiser spotted us, she hurried to the door and ushered us
totheVIPseatsinthefrontrow,simplybecausewearewesterners,eventhoughshehadno
ideawhowewere.Wewerethereasvolunteersrepresenting theNGOsweworkedfor,and
it made us feel uncomfortable to be given prime seating while our more senior colleagues
sat at the back of the room.