Cultural Shock - Beware of your Feet

I met many foreigners (mostly westerners) who do not feel anything to put their feet on the table while sitting on the chair. This seems a normal habit to them. They don’t feel like it is a strange or rude thing to do it. And I know they don’t mean to be rude. However, in the eyes of a Burmese (Myanmar) man, it is a strange behavior. Indeed, in the eyes of a Burmese, it is really a very rude thing.

For Burmese (Myanmar), head is the most sacred part of the human body while feet are the most inferior part. Being the lowest part, they are not only under every part of the body but also the dirtiest part. They touch ground, dirt, mud, garbage, feces; just think of all the dirty things lying on the ground. Invariably, feet become the most dirty and smelly part of your body. Just try to sniff your feet at the end of the day. For Burmese, dirty part should only be in the lower place. When you put that dirty part of yours onto somebody’s clean table, it is like an insult to that person; I mean if that person is a Burmese. There is nothing more insulting to a Burmese than to point your feet towards him.

So, if you want to win heart and mine of your Burmese friends, next time you visit him or he visit you, try not to put your feet on the living room table or point your feet towards him. Indeed, your feet should never be pointing to the direction of a person or a sacred place (like Buddha’s image or shrine, or a photo of an elderly). This is the rule you must strictly follow in Burma (Myanmar). Possibly, your Myanmar friend will not say anything even if you do it, but it does not mean he is ok with your behavior or approves of your behavior. He will not say anything but will consider you as a very rude person. Even if that person is your employee or your house maid, you should never do it to him/her.

Hope you find your stay pleasant in Burma (Myanmar)

Draught causes water shortage in Myanmar

Myanmar (Burma) is hit by a draught this year, which is the most severe in several decades. Temperature has been higher this year than previous years in Myanmar (Burma) and rain fall is late, causing severe shortage of water in many parts of Myanmar. In April, temperature has risen as high as 40 degree Celsius, according to government meteorological department. In some parts of Myanmar, temperature is as high as 43 degree Celsius. As a result, many streams and water reservoirs were dried up all over Myanmar.

Local news journals reported that Inle Lake, which is the major tourist destination in Shan State, has been dried up in many parts.

Water shortage is most severe in Ayeyarwaddy (Irrawaddy), Sagaing, Yangon (Rangoon), Mandalay and Bago (Pegu) Divisions and Mon, Rakhine and Shan States.

“All the wells are now dried up. We have to buy drinking water   at a high price. 500 kyats (US$ 0.50) per barrel at the private tube well, but 1500 kyats (US$ 1.5) delivered at home”, said one resident from Mandalay.

According to U Tun Lwin, a retired Director General from Government Meteorological Department, the cause of drying up of wells is due to the depletion of underground water supply due to late entry of Monsoon.

Diarrhea outbreaks were also reported in some parts of Myanmar. According to official news papers, 82 diarrhea patients were treated at Waw Township hospital between May 5 and 11.

In Yangon Division, Dala Township, which is just across Yangon River from Downtown Yangon, was hard hit by the draught and shortage of water. Villagers in many villages in Dala Township find it difficult to find even clean drinking water.

“People have to drink cloudy water from dried up wells. In some villages, people put alum to the river water to make it clear to drink. This is not very healthy”, said one person who went there to donate clean drinking water to the locals.

Many individuals in Myanmar are trying to help those people affected by draught. Famous movie star Kyaw Thu, who is famous for his social works, is also among those who try to help by donating clean drinking water to those affected. Many young individuals are also trying their best to donate water.

“We have to transport water from Yangon to Dala by water samban (boat). One boat can carry 1000 gallons of water. It cost 10,000 kyat (US$ 10) per boat load of water. On the other side, we transferred water into water barrels and transport to the villages.”

In photos in personal blogs, people were seen line up for water in the affected villages. Myanmar bloggers have also asked for donation for water to the draught affected villages in their blog. Social network Facebook is also vital in organizing the donation and social works among the Myanmar youth as many of them are regular users of Facebook, and many members discuss about how to help in the Facebook pages.

One blogger also pledged for donations for the water in her blog. The blog post and some photos can be read here.

New Myanmar Visa on Arrival

Myanmar visa arrivalNew system of on arrival was started in both Yangon (Rangoon) and Mandalay. Start from 1st May, visitors to Myanmar can apply for the new arrival at Yangon (Rangoon) International Airport and Mandalay International Airport.

Myanmar has previously issued arrival Read [...]

Arsenic contamination in drinking water found in Myanmar

Arsenic contamination in drinking water has been found in all over Myanmar, according to Mizzima News’ report. Quoting Deputy Director of Occupational Health from the Ministry of Health from Myanmar, the news reported “water contaminated with arsenic at levels above 10 ppb (parts per billion) – the level set as permissible by the World Health Organisation (WHO) – was foundRead [...]

List of Death in Yangon New Year Bomb Blast

  1. Daw Ni Ni Thein, female, 67 year
  2. U Khin Maung Lay, male, 61 year
  3. Daw Htay Htay Yi, female, 45 year
  4. Ko Kyin Aung, male, 37 year
  5. Ma Thida Pyone, female, 35 year
  6. U Thant Zin Thein, male, 32 year
  7. Ko Aung Ko Ko Maung, male, 30 year
  8. Ko Soe Win, male, 24 [...]

News from local media about Yangon Bomb Blast

A number of local news journals have published the accounts of the bomb blast in Yangon during New Year Water Festival. Excerpts from Eleven News local media are translated here for our visitors.

“My father is a hundred-household chief (local administrative council member). On that day, he… Read [...]

Bomb Blast in Yangon Thingyan Killed Eight

Photo: Nyi Lynn Seck reproduced with permission

Three bomb blasts rocked former capital Yangon (Rangoon) during the Thingyan Myanmar New Year celebration this afternoon. According to official MRTV (Myanmar Radio and Television) announcement this evening, three bombs blasted in front of X20 water pandal near Kandawgyi… Read [...]

Myanmar Thingyan 2010

People all over Myanmar (Burma) will be celebrating New Year water festival next week. The traditional Myanmar water festival is a similar event to a much well known Thai Songkran. However, it is more widely and fiercely participated by all class of… Read [...]

Cultural Shock - When a Myanmar do not say NO

Many a time, foreigners (especially western foreign expats working in Myanmar) will notice that things they ask from Myanmar friends are met with affirmative answers but never materialized. For example, a westerner expat might invite his friend to a dinner party. The Myanmar friend is not free on that day. Normally, a westerner will simply decline to the invitation and… Read [...]

The Story of “YES”

I worked for a French Company for over 10 years. When I talked with my boss and other French friends, I used to prompt the conversation with YES, not with “ah ha”, “I see”, “really” etc. like in western way.

After some times they came back and asked me if I have done their requests. I was puzzled. “I have… Read [...]

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