Cambodia Language & Culture

Language

Khmer is the official language of Cambodia and is spoken by over 95% of the population. Khmer is not as tonal as Thai or Vietnamese and is easier to learn. Nearly all schools teach English, so a lot of younger people speak some English. Some of the older generation speak French, which they learnt when Cambodia was a French colony. There are many schools for Cambodians to learn English and there are also other schools for learning Japanese, Korean, French, Chinese, Thai and a number of other languages.

Religion

Theravada Buddhism is the main religion which originated in India with over 95% of the population practising the religion. The religion teaches that life and death are connected or intertwined through reincarnation, although if you ask a monk they will not use the word reincarnation. Most people have heard of "karma" which is a term used to describe sayings such as “if you do good by helping other people then you will rewarded in your next life” and “if you do bad to other people then you will be punished in your next life”.

Know your ranking?

Through their religion, Cambodians believe that you must respect everyone with a higher ranking than you, which is determined in a number of ways. Someone who is older than you must be being given respect. For example, when you are eating you should wait for the eldest person to start first and if you introducing a group of people to someone you should always start by introducing the eldest person first. In business, the person with the highest position in the company is given the most respect. In Khmer different words are used for different rankings and it depends on what that person is to you as to what you would call them. Some of the words you will hear used are Boo, Bong, Po-oun, E, Je-ay, Omm and Ming.

Greeting people

When greeting each other formally, Cambodians say Jim-reep-soo which means "how do you do?" and when saying this they will put their hands together like a prayer up to their face and then bow their heads gently towards each other. If they know each other well, then the greeting is less formal and they will say Sok-Sa-Bai which means "how are you?" and they will not greet with their hands. A lot of Cambodians are now changing over to the western ways with a hand shake, so most Cambodians will not take offense to it if you offer your hand. However, do not offer your hand to a lady unless she offers her hand to you first.

General information about Cambodian culture

• It is rude to make eye contact for too long with someone.
• Losing your temper in public is regarded as bad manners and a weakness.
• People use their right hand when receiving or giving something.
• White is the colour of mourning.
• When invited to someone’s home a small gift is normally given but is not open in front of the person.
• Birthdays are not celebrated in Cambodia and many people will not know their proper birthday.
• Cambodians in general will say they were born on Khmer New Year (April 13th) and they will also be 9 months old when they were born.
• Dress code is formal unless going to an informal affair.
• Dress with respect when visiting religious temples.
• Cambodians regard putting all the dishes on a table as being inappropiate when having a meal. There is always a type of soup as part of the main meal, but not as a starter which is why sometimes you will not get your soup first when ordering a meal.
• Haggling or bartering is normal and is part of every day life.
• Pointing your feet towards someone is considered impolite.
• Patting or touching someone’s head is considered very offensive.
• Taking off your shoes when entering a home is considered polite and respectful.

Cambodia’s Public Holidays in 2008

If any holidays fall on a Saturday or a Sunday, then the following Monday becomes a Public Holiday.