One of the most important factors in being a great tourist is getting on the locals’ good books! That’s right, we said it. This is something that doesn’t get the attention that it should, but it is essential to follow the unwritten laws and social etiquette of the local culture if you want to make the most of your trip to Sri Lanka.
Read on to learn some basic etiquette tips that will guarantee a smooth time in Sri Lanka.
Dress Conservatively:
Sri Lanka has come a long way in the past decade, but the local culture and the people still frown (a little bit) at clothes that reveal a bit too much skin. This is only an issue if you’re visiting a rural village, or a place of religious value. If you’re in a major city like Colombo or Galle, you could wear whatever you’d like to, and no one will treat you any differently. However, as mentioned before if you’re in a village, you might get some undue attention and hostility. You need to cover up from your shoulders to your knees when visiting temples, mosques, or kovils, as you will be on holy and spiritual ground. You should also know that public nudity isn’t allowed in Sri Lanka, although you could still hit the beaches for a bikini-clad paradise experience! Make the smart and easy decision to dress accordingly before you take off for your destination as it will save you the trouble.
Public Displays of Affection aka PDA:
Public Displays of Affection is a taboo subject in Sri Lanka, for both tourists and locals. There have even been cases where the police or guards have got involved. You might hear unsolicited and rude comments from passerby locals. The people tend to be strongly opinionated. That’s just the culture here. Don’t overthink, just roll with it. LGBTQ+ relationships are still illegal in the country, unfortunately. However, you could still find places where you could embrace your identity and have fun!
It might benefit you to befriend an openminded local as they will direct you to all the right places. Sri Lankans are nothing if not helpful.
No Smoking:
There is a smoking ban in public spaces in Sri Lanka, which is great for the non-smokers out there. Sri Lanka is the first country in the world to ratify the World Health Organisation’s Initiation on the Framework of Tobacco and Alcohol, which basically bans the sale of tobacco to anyone under 21 years, as well as smoking in public places. This includes roads and beaches, although it is permissible to smoke in outdoor areas belonging to restaurants and food-courts. You will be able to find smoking areas in almost everywhere you go. We should also mention that drugs are highly illegal in Sri Lanka, including marijuana.
Use Your Hands:
Sri Lankans are not too keen on cutlery. They believe that food tastes best when you mix it on your fingertips, and they aren’t wrong! It’s a humble way of life. They will insist on you doing the same, but restaurants will offer you cutlery regardless. Be polite and ask for whatever it is that you require. We suggest you give this a go, as embracing the local culture is part of the fun in traveling to new places and discovering new things to fall in love with. And Sri Lankan gastronomy is definitely going on that list!
Respecting the Buddhist Culture:
Being a Buddhist-majority country, everything related to the Lord Buddha is sacrosanct. There are Buddhist temples scattered everywhere in the country, with special holy places like Anuradhapura, Kandy, Sri Padha that have historical, spiritual and cultural significance as well. Some of the simple rules on how to conduct yourself at temples are, never turning your back on Buddha statues, wearing white clothes, covering yourself up, maintaining a peaceful quiet manner, offering freshly plucked flowers, and abstaining from taking photos. Moreover, you should always offer your seat to monks in public transport, and treat them with the highest respect. Make sure you don’t have buddha tattoos (or cover up if you do) as they could get you in trouble, since it is considered to be disrespectful.
As a general rule of thumb, always treat all religious places, cultures and authorities with the utmost respect. Sri Lanka is a multicultural nation, that practices remarkable harmony among citizens.
Sri Lanka is a breathtakingly gorgeous country that will amaze you at every turn. Their unique culture and social laws are part of that charm. Follow our etiquette guidelines to have the time of your life in this beautiful country. It’s worth it!
Photos sourced from Travelmag, David Stanley and Charlie Marchant.
