Culture, Custom and Etiquette for Bangladesh: Guide for Traveler

Warm, hospitable culture

Bangladesh, di land of rivers and Bengali language, dey famous for how dem dey welcome people. Dem dey treat guest with atithi (hospitality) wey almost holy, and small cultural sense go carry you far, from di busy Dhaka to di tea gardens of Sylhet.

Greetings

• Muslims often greet with Assalamu alaikum (peace dey with you); you go answer Wa alaikum assalam.
• Friendly Nomoshkar with palms together dey fit Hindu people; simple Kemon achen? (How you dey?) go work for everybody.
• Men dey shake hand; with woman, wait make she extend her hand first. Use your right hand or both hands.

Dress and modesty

• Dress well, no expose body. Cover shoulder and knee; woman fit carry light scarf (orna) for mosque and shrine.
• Comot shoe before you enter house, mosque and plenty shops.
• Public display of affection no fine for eye.

Chop table etiquette

• Meal dey centre for rice, lentils (dal), fish and curry; national fish na hilsa (ilish).
• Chop with your right hand; left hand no clean for dis culture. Wash hand before and after.
• Your host go dey insist make you add more food. To refuse first offer na politeness; if you accept later, e go please dem.
• Try street snack like fuchka, jhalmuri and sweet roshogolla.

Dos and don'ts

• Do accept tea or food when dem offer you; if you refuse fit disappoint dem.
• Do ask before you snap person, especially woman.
• Don't point your leg for person or di Quran, or step over food.
• Don't drink alcohol for public; e get restriction and e dey sensitive culturally.
• Don't yarn about di 1971 Liberation War anyhow; e dey touch dem well well.

Tipping (bakshish)

• Restaurant: round up or leave 5-10% if service charge no dey.
• Hotel porter: 50-100 taka per bag. Driver: round up di fare.
• Tour guide: 500-1,000 taka per day for good service.

Religion and festivals

During Ramadan, no chop for public for daytime. Enjoy di joy of Pohela Boishakh (Bengali New Year, April 14) and Eid festivals, when cities dey empty as families dey reunite.

Stay connected for Bangladesh

HelloSIM eSIM go keep you online for maps, translation and booking di moment wey you land, no roaming bill or hunting for local SIM.