The general characteristics of the social customs of Laotians can be summarized in these words:
Laotian friends attach importance to hospitality, and the attitude of treating people is very sincere;
Traditional "bolted thread" to welcome guests, expressing the affection of extraordinarily close;
The habit of drinking altar wine with the guests, meaning that they are not separated from you;
Most nationals believe in Buddhism, and abide by the "five precepts" of true feelings;
"No food at noon".
Most nationals believe in Buddhism and abide by the "Five Precepts" to show their true feelings;
"No food at noon" is a religious rule, and the "Ten Meat" is not a taboo.
The details of life are characterized by the following:
The Laotians have a unique ceremony for receiving guests, namely, the "tie line" (by the old lady or a young girl, the line soaked in perfume is tied to the wrist of the guest, and the mouth also recites the wishes of the guest. When tying the thread, the left arm is usually tied first, and the right hand is raised at the same time; when tying the right arm, the left hand is raised. The hands are aligned with the head, as in the usual greeting, to show respect). After the ceremony, hands together, raised to the forehead, said "Sa" ("I hope so" meaning), was tied to the line of the person, often to wear the white line on the wrist, at least three days to wear, because the white line, contains the Lao people's deep friendship and good wishes. Wishes. In some rural areas of Laos, it is customary to serve guests with altar wine made of glutinous rice and other ingredients. When drinking wine, people sit on the ground with bare feet around the altar. The host opens the sealing clay of the altar and inserts some bamboo tubes into it, and people each hold a bamboo tube and drink the wine from the altar. Laotians believe that drinking with friends and relatives on the same altar is a good way to exchange feelings and has a very friendly atmosphere. Laotians generally do not call guests by their names, but must put a respectful or affectionate name in front of their names, such as "tan" (equivalent to "so-and-so gentleman" or "Mr. so-and-so") "Lun, put, plain, that, Ai, Eai, Eai, Nong" (equivalent to the grandfather, aunt, uncle, aunt, elder brother, eldest mother or lei sister, brother or sister, respectively).
The Laoska people love to use wooden earrings as decorations. It is believed that the thicker and bigger the earrings are, the more beautiful they are. Therefore, many people wear bulky wooden earrings, resulting in unusually wide ear holes, and even some people's ear weight almost down to the shoulder.
Etiquette
When the Lao people meet their guests, they are accustomed to making the ten-finger salute (i.e., raising their hands with ten fingers together and palms together). There are the following rules: for monks, royal family, elders, superiors and other people with higher status than themselves, the palm should be placed in front of the forehead; for the next generation, subordinates and other people with lower status than themselves, the palm of the hand is placed under the jaw, and for ordinary people or ordinary people, the palm should be placed in front of the face. Nowadays, they are generally treated as equals. At the same time as performing the Hupa salutation, one greets "Shamadhi!" (Greetings!) (How do you do?). At present, although it is also fashionable to shake hands, but the general women still tend to use the clap salute.
Beliefs and taboos
The majority of Laotians are Buddhist, and most Buddhists observe the five precepts, but are not vegetarians, and abstain from eating the ten meats (i.e., human, elephant, tiger, leopard, lion, horse, dog, snake, cat, and tortoise), and fast for two times a day, and do not eat after noon.
Laotians are jealous of others to touch their heads. Think the head is the most sacred parts, no one can not violate. They avoid passing things or food with their left hand. It is believed that the left hand is dirty and inferior, and that using it is actually an insult to the person.
Dietary Habits
The Laotians usually have a simple diet of glutinous rice and fresh fish, and only kill pigs and slaughter goats on New Year's festivals. The Ka people's favorite staple food is palm poi (which is a kind of cake made of palm flour and baked on a hot stone). Many people regard it as a precious food. They are in the habit of betel nut chewing and smoking. Even the women are no exception. They are happy to savor Chinese cuisine. They generally do not use knives, forks and chopsticks for their meals, but are accustomed to grabbing rice with their hands.
The Lao people's food habits are characterized by the following:
1) Emphasis on affordable meals and colorful dishes.
②Flavor The general taste is not too salty, but sweet, sour and slightly spicy.
3) Staple food Rice (glutinous rice) is the main staple, also love to eat bean paste buns.
④Side dishes Love fish, shrimp, chicken, duck, lamb, pork, beef, etc.; also like tomatoes, tofu, mushrooms and fresh vegetables; seasonings commonly used onions, garlic, chili, cilantro, oil, soy sauce, salt and so on.
5 Preparation Methods Favor dishes made by stir-frying, broiling, skewering and grilling.
6 Chinese Food Favor Chinese Beijing and Cantonese cuisine.
7 Recipes Appreciate sliced lotus root with sugar, Peking duck, roasted suckling pig, dry-roasted chicken, winter melon, shabu-shabu, roasted asparagus, dry-roasted Mandarin fish, sliced beef with scallions, shredded chicken with green peppers, and other flavorful dishes.
8 water and wine like to drink milk, soft drinks, coffee, fruit juice and foreign wine.
9 fruits Love to eat fruit in the banana, pineapple, peach, watermelon, citrus, orange, apple, etc.; dry fruits love to eat walnuts, almonds, etc..