The vast majority of Nepal’s population practices Hinduism and coexists peacefully with Buddhism and other religions. As a result, beneath the snow-capped mountains, Nepal is rich in religious and cultural atmosphere, with unique customs, traditions, and rituals.
1. Greetings
In Nepal, a more formal way of greeting is to press both hands together and say “Namaste” (pronounced: na-ma-s-dei) as a sign of respect for the other person. The higher the hands are held, the greater the respect being shown.
However, in casual interactions with friends or during phone calls, informal greetings such as the English “Hello” can be used.
2. Temples
The majority of Nepal’s population is religious, which is why there are many Hindu and Buddhist temples. It is important to note that many Hindu temples do not allow non-believers to enter. If you wish to visit certain temples or take photographs, you should ask in advance to confirm whether entry and photography are permitted to avoid any misunderstandings.
When visiting a temple, you should walk around the temple or stupa in a clockwise direction. Do not touch statues of deities or Buddha images with your hands—only the feet of the statues may be touched with your head as a sign of respect.
Additionally, shoes must be removed before entering Nepalese temples, and fur or leather items are strictly prohibited.
3. Social Etiquette
For Nepalese people, the head is considered sacred, so avoid touching a child’s head casually.
Do not use your feet to touch a Nepalese person or their belongings, as this is seen as an offensive act.
In most cases, when Nepalese people shake their heads, it actually means agreement. However, this head movement is not the usual side-to-side motion but rather a diagonal tilt from the upper left to the lower right.
It is important to avoid shouting in public places.
During meals, do not use your used utensils to touch someone else’s food.
4. Shopping and Tipping
In Nepalese markets, product prices are usually set higher, so bargaining is common. You can negotiate to get a more reasonable price for your purchase.
Nepal follows a tipping culture. When guides, waiters, porters, and other service providers assist you, it is customary to offer a tip as a token of appreciation.
