First and foremost, you‘ll want to know how to greet the locals. The traditional manner of greeting in Nepal involves placing your palms together in a prayer style and saying “namaste” or “namaskar”. Address anyone older than you with respect using the terms “dai” for men and “didi” for women. And avoid stepping over someone‘s outstretched legs or touching anyone with your feet as these are considered impolite.
Once you‘ve mastered this, you‘ll want to be sure to obey local culture so as not to offend. Note that it is never acceptable to wear revealing clothing (including shorts), particularly for women. While swimming, stick to a one-piece and leave the bikini at home. Public displays of affection are also frowned upon in Nepal.
If you are lucky enough to be invited into a Nepali home, remember to remove your shoes before entering. At dinner time, you must always wash your hands and mouth prior to eating. Always wait for the host to serve you and avoid “polluting” food by letting it come into contact with a used plate or utensil. Whatever you do, don‘t use your own spoon or fork to serve food. Bon appetit!