Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
People & Culture
Since the glory days of the Angkorian empire, the Cambodian people have been on
the losing side of many a historical battle, their country all too often a minnow amid
the circling sharks. Popular attitudes have been shaped by this history, and the rela-
tionship between Cambodia and its neighbours Thailand and Vietnam is marked by a
cocktail of fear, admiration and animosity.
CAMBODIAN GREETINGS
Cambodians traditionally greet each other with the sompiah, which involves pressing the hands together
in prayer and bowing, similar to the wai in Thailand. The higher the hands and the lower the bow, the
more respect is conveyed - important to remember when meeting officials or the elderly. In recent
times this custom has been partly replaced by the handshake but, although men tend to shake hands
with each other, women usually use the traditional greeting with both men and women. It is considered
acceptable (or perhaps excusable) for foreigners to shake hands with Cambodians of both sexes.
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