The customs and taboos of ethnic minorities reflect their religious culture and civilized habits. When traveling to ethnic regions, knowing a bit about these customs and taboos can help you avoid trouble, reduce misunderstandings, and make your trip smoother.
1. Do not touch the heads or headwear of children, young monks, or young girls at will.
2. Shoes must be removed before entering the main hall of a Dai temple or a Dai bamboo house.
3. When staying in a Dai bamboo house, do not point your head toward the host’s door; instead, have your feet facing it. Also, do not step over a woman’s feet.
4. When someone serves you rice, accept it with both hands. When serving others, do not fill the bowl to the top, nor should you add just one scoop.
5. When visiting Hui areas or entering halal restaurants, avoid talking about *meat. Avoid using the word “fat”; typically, “plump” is used instead of “fat.”
6. Do not touch or step on ethnic or religious symbols.
7. Do not give decorative items to young girls.
8. Do not enter the rooms of new mothers or sick people.
9. Do not whistle or wear straw hats indoors.
10. Do not use chopsticks to tap bowls or hit cats and dogs.
11. Do not discuss sexual topics at home.
12. Do not sit with your back against a sacred place.
13. Do not step over the tripod on the stove, nor should you use your foot to kick it or place shoes, socks, clothes, or pants on it.
14. When participating in Tibetan people's celebratory events, you must first offer a hada.
15. If someone offers you a drink, you cannot refuse; you must take at least a sip or a taste.
16. If you are full but the host still serves you more food, do not say “I don’t want any,” but rather say “I’ve had enough.”
17. Do not sit in the middle of a doorway.
18. Do not spit into the fireplace.
19. When a Bai ethnic female host serves you the “Three-Course Tea,” you must stand up and receive it with both hands.
20. Do not give chili peppers or eggs as gifts to a Wa family.
21. When adding firewood to the fireplace, the root end of the wood should go in first, not the tip.
22. Do not talk about dreams in the early morning, and do not sweep the floor in the evening.
23. Do not hold a baby as soon as you enter a home.
[Editor’s Note]As the tourism industry develops rapidly, although most areas in China have become more economically focused and fewer taboos remain, remembering some basic etiquette is still necessary to ensure a smooth journey.