5 local traditions in Southeast Asia that tourists must know

As soon as you start to explore Southeast Asia, you'll start to realize how important it is to greet people by taking a bow with a prayer-like hand gesture.

A deeper bow and higher hands signify a greater degree of respect. Just make sure to return the gesture by nodding your head and you'll be seen as respectful.

Still on the issue of respect, locals in Asia believe that it is better to avoid public embarrassment and save face when engaging in social interactions.

If you want to be on the good side of locals, never get into any public disagreement that can lead to shouting or intense arguments as this will only add salt to the injury.

In Southeast Asia, it's generally believed that the head is sacred and should not be touched - be it children or even Buddha statues!

Contrarily, the feet are seen as dirty because of frequent contact with the ground. In fact, before you step into a temple, mosque or visit someone's house, you must leave your footwear outside on the shoe rack.

If you ever thought the idea of dressing in a conservative manner wasn't a thing, wait till you visit Southeast Asia. Moderate dressing will attract the respect of locals.

Men and women in Myanmar, for instance, are known to wear ‘longyi’, a cylindrical shaped sarong, as well as other clothes that cover the shoulders and knees.

There's an incomparable level of piety that exists among the locals in Southeast Asia. Temples as well as other places of worship are favorites for tourists to visit.

As mentioned above, it's forbidden to touch a Buddha statue or even take a picture with one. Doing such is considered an act of disrespect.