Decency and behaviors

You are in a “different world” and you are the alien. Much of what is considered in your home as no-go, is here lived everyday life and vice versa. There is no secularization, as is customary in the Western world. Islam is the guideline of all action. This does not need to scare any traveler, because there is hardly a country in which a similarly tolerant tradition is lived. Nevertheless, you should observe a few simple rules which include respect and decency.

• The left hand is used for body hygiene. With this is not greeted, not eaten and no one touched (except left-handed).
• Before entering private premises, apartments, mosques and sometimes offices, etc., remove the shoes.
• Nudist or topless in ladies are a taboo. A bikini is borderline! For a bathing holiday on public beaches, she should pack the good, old bathing suit.
• Hands-holding men of all ages are always and everywhere to be seen (almost) never homosexual, only a firm friendship is demonstrated.
• Homosexuality is still prohibited by law, but this law is hardly applied.
• Feelings of all kinds, as well as the exchange of affections in the public please keep in check.
• Women traditionally stay in the background and are greeted by nods or a smile.
• Men usually celebrate the ritual of handshaking with a hug.
• Rejecting invitations is considered rude and should only be done with reasonable reasons, which are understandable to the Inviter.
• Topic invitation: never eat the plate empty, otherwise follow refill, on refill, on refill…

That’s almost it. That the feet are not on the table, before the food and after the toilets, the hands are washed etc. is surely in all culture circles a normality.

Fasting (Ramadan)

Do not eat, drink or smoke during the fasting months before sunset in the eyes of the public. A “hidden” corner or an attached restaurant is found almost everywhere. The Ramadan rules apply from sunrise (morning prayer Fajr) to sunset (Adhan evening prayer), but not for the elderly/infirm, sick, children or pregnant.

Photographing

Bangladesh is a paradise for hobby photographers. There are no limits to the number of motifs, so why military objects, ministries and authorities, along with their officials? Please do so only on express invitation. The same applies to pilgrim places and mosques, or to the faithful in them. In the settlements of the minorities you should ask beforehand! Otherwise: Bangladeshis want to be photographed! You will be constantly asked to take pictures and yes, it is just nice to show the people the picture too. Since the arrival of the smartphones, this is of course also in the opposite sense, the usual catchword is selfie and this is practiced until vomiting, of course with you as motive. Protection offers your simple announcement: “Two pictures are free, from the third it costs 100 Tk/pic”.