In my travels, I’ve visited many kinds of religious shrines, temples, and churches. From the Vatican to the Blue Mosque to holy caves in the Taklimakan desert, I always find it interesting to observe local etiquette and mark dos and don’ts when visiting sacred sites. Thailand is one of the countries where I most enjoy […]

Vietnam is a country with people proud of their culture and heritage. While the Vietnamese are quite welcoming to foreigners, knowing a little about what is considered polite will win you points with the locals. Here are some of the more common etiquette practices that you will find useful whether you are in the country […]

The Philippines was a Spanish colony for more than 300 years, and a regular pit stop of Chinese traders long before the country was claimed for and named after King Philip of Spain. Albeit short-lived, the Japanese occupation during World War II also left indelible marks in the Filipino psyche. The Americans came last, and […]

Malaysia is a melting pot of different cultures, religions, and beliefs. This multi-cultural environment is heavily influenced by the colorful mix of races that make up the Malaysian population, which include Malays, Indians, and Chinese. The culture of Malaysia is made even more interesting with the influences of the Portuguese, Dutch, British, and Thai, as […]

Singapore has a variety of ethnicities that stay strong to their culture. The three main ethnicities being Chinese, Malay, and Indian, provide an ethnic mix of culture, religion, customs, etiquette, and language. The Singaporean way is almost nonexistent since the country is so diverse, but that doesn’t mean customs shouldn’t be followed. A good understanding […]

Mai pen rai, which translates to ‘never mind’, is a common phrase that Thais live by. It is mostly used during frustrating moments, and proves their laidback mindset. These three simple words enable Thai people to keep on smiling through everything they do. Although Thais have an easy going approach to life, they still have […]