The Most Common Tibetan Customs

Deeply influenced by unique culture and religion, Tibetans have different ways of behavior in many aspects. The most common custom in Tibet is presenting Hada which is a common practice among the Tibetan people to express their best wishes on many occasions. In Tibet, at the funeral and wedding ceremony, receiving or sending someone, visiting elders and betters, going to the Buddha Statues, you may feel the habit of presenting hada at all the circumstances above. The white Hada, a long narrow scarf made of silk, embodies purity and good fortune. So presenting hada is to show your purity, honesty, sincerity and respect to others. It is said that when the Tibetan people go to the temple, they would present a hada first and then make their pilgrimage to the Buddha Statue or visit the halls. When they decide to leave the temple, they also leave a hada there, suggesting that though they have left there, their hearts are still in the temple. When other presents you Hada, you should bow your head, and when you present Hada to other use both of your hands.
 

When you pay a visit to Tibet, visiting a Tibetan family is the best way to know more about Tibetan people's life. But being a guest, you should pay attention to some etiquettes. A Tibetan host will usually propose a toast of barley wine or beer. So when you are drinking, you should dip your index finger in the wine and flick the wine into the sky, in the air and to the ground respectively to express your respects to the heaven, the earth and the ancestors before sipping the wine. The host will fill the cup, and you take a sip of the wine again. After the host fills your cup again, you have to bottom it up. If you are asked to sit down please do not stretch your legs forward and face your sole to others. While offering tea, wine or cigarette, you should offer them by both hands and any fingers do not tough inside of the bowl. If you are presented a gift, you should accept the gift with both hands. When you call a Tibetan's name, don't forget to add "la" after their name such as Tashi La, Droma La, because it is a way of showing respect in Tibetan language. Another thing you should notice about dietary custom is that Tibetan people do not eat horse, dog and donkey meat and also do not eat fish in some areas, so please respect their diet habits.

Besides, when you go to visit the sacred destinations in Tibet, monasteries in particular, remember to take off your hat, keep quite, do not touch, walk over or sit on any religious texts, objects or prayer flags. Also it is banned to touch the statue of Buddha and religious articles and take pictures of them. In addition, all should walk clockwise in most sacred places in Tibet. Therefore, when you see any dagobas, monasteries or Mani piles, please go around them clockwise; do not cross them.