Food Etiquette of the Maldives
Food is a mixture of Arabic, Southern Indian, Sri Lankan and Western.  I have personally tried traditional Maldivian food at a restaurant recommended by a local and heartly recommend.  You will find that locals love to patronise cafes and restaurants and sit for hours talking to friends and family.  Lots of laughter and talking fills the space making for a happy environment.
 
Before eating the delicious local and fresh foods, please wash your hands in a basin provided before you start your meal and after if you have eaten food with your hands.  On the local menu, you will find flavorful dishes such as garudhiya which is a fragrant fish soup, masi huni made for breakfast, shredded smoked tuna, grated coconut, lemon and chilli, eaten with roshi (roti bread) to sweet or handulu bondibai, rice pudding eaten during Eid.  Most of these foods are commonly eaten by right-hand roti or rice.  These carbohydrates are used as a carrier for the main meals and are well mixed together with the hands.
If you love bacon in the mornings with your eggs, due to the country being an Islamic republic, pork will not be found.  Instead, you will offered chicken and beef alternatives.  Resorts away from the main islands will sell alcoholic beverages.
 
Culture of the Maldivian People
Maldivian culture adheres to the Islamic principles of the family unit, and tight-knit bonds within extended families further reinforce this respect.  You will be met with locals and hired help with poker faces; it is a South Asian tendency not to smile; however, when you break the ice when asking for directions or advice, you will be met with kindness.  Etiquette is that speaking to locals on the street, woman to woman and man to man is better.
 
If you are fortunate enough to be invited to a Maldivian household, don’t forget to remove your shoes and greet your hosts.  Women will greet verbally rather than shake hands, whereas men will use the hand-to-heart sign, and the general greeting is “As-Salaam-Alaikum" and "Wa-Alaikum-Salaam" which means “May peace be upon you."  Before you arrive, purchase fruit or a gift you brought from your home country.  To break the ice and get a conversation started, inquire about how the family is doing.  When you see children, ask their names and ages to show interest and avoid patting them on the head.  If you have accidentally bumped into someone, apologise quickly.  When eating, you may be invited to sit down on the floor.  If that is the case, keep the soles of your feet facing the wall, as it is considered unclean.
 
I hope these tips help the next time you stay in Marvellous Maldives be relaxing and fun.
 
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During the 1950s and 60s, while India was finding her place in the world, the Rashtrapati Bhavan was visited by numerous foreign heads of state. The Soviet Union's premier and the first secretary of the Communist party, Nikolai Bulganin and Nikita Khrushchev, made the first official Russian visit to India in 1955 and Zhou En-lai the Chinese premier paid a visit in 1960. Queen Elizabeth II and the heads of newly independent African countries Zaire, Zambia and Tanzania came to celebrate India's Independence on different Republic Days. President Prasad was reportedly gloomy about the prospect of atheist communists eating meat and drinking alcohol in the guest suite where a special room, supplied with alcoholic beverages, had been set up for the Russians." The staff, however, enjoyed these visits.  
 
Russian Delegation to India
"Those days were fun, reminisced Abdul Majeed, a retired butler who worked at the house in the early years of the presidency. 'All heads of states used to stay here in [the] Dwarka suite and were served all the meals by us. 12 The Russian delegation did their best not to offend Indian sensibilities by avoiding the drinks room but they were apparently hearty eaters and in between formal meals would send up for extras such as omelettes and sandwiches. While the tips were marvelous, the butlers derived most of their satisfaction from the pride they took in working for the representative of their newly independent nation. 

​A Taste of India: Recipes Inspired by the Raj
The Indian state gradually grew into and made its own the traditions and protocol that it had inherited from the Raj. In the early days the portraits of past viceroys still hung on the walls of the banquet hall. Gradually these were moved out of the room and replaced by paintings of India's former presidents. At first, the food served at the Rashtrapati Bhavan continued to be Anglicised-French in style, as it had been during the tenure of the viceroy. French food was vegetables mashed and then shaped to look like chops and fried. The main course was caneton à la diable, peas with cauliflower and roast potatoes. The duck in a piquant mustard and cayenne sauce was a touch of French sophistication.  
 
Indian Recipes with a British Twist
The alternative vegetarian main course was the only part of the meal which gave away the fact that the dinner was taking place in India. Indrani was served aloo dum, cauliflower curry, raita, papad and chutney. The red rose indicating her vegetarian preferences was an Indian innovation. During the British period, the vegetarian and other food preferences of the guests were indicated to the butlers by ribbons tied to the backs of the chairs. Just as both the vegetarian and non- vegetarian meal began with a very British soup, they both ended with the same very British dessert, pommes Chantilly or stewed apples decorated with swirls of cream.
 
Resource: “Around India's First Table : Dining and Entertaining at the Rashtrapati Bhavan”

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I was so surprised. I had visited Thailand many times, approximately 15 years ago, and I would compare it to modern-day Mumbai, where taxis and tuk-tuks ruled the roads, bargaining was king, and shopping was super cheap.  Today, Bangkok meets gentrification, clean elegance, and modern manners.
 
Quick Look at Thai History
Let’s look back in history of Thailand was previously called Siam. The name "Syam" likely originated from the Portuguese, who encountered it during their diplomatic and trade missions to the Ayutthaya Kingdom in the early 16th century. By the 19th century, it had become firmly established in Western locations.
 
The late 18th century saw the establishment of the Chakri Dynasty under King Rama I, which led to the foundation of modern-day Bangkok as the capital. Thailand is unique in Southeast Asia for maintaining its sovereignty during the colonial era and skilfully navigating diplomacy to avoid European colonisation. The country underwent significant modernisation and political changes in the 20th century, transitioning from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional one. Thailand, in 1939, adopted its current name.
 
Thai Etiquette

• In the early 1990s, I saw women, especially those wearing mismatched pyjama-type clothing, crouching on the street. Today, how you dress and behave indicates your social status. This means your clothing is modest, clean, and neat, and sitting correctly on a chair is considered when sitting in front of elders, formal places, or temples.

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• In Thailand, gift-giving is informal, emphasising thoughtful wrapping, though colours like blue, black, and green are avoided due to their association with mourning. It is generally considered disrespectful to open a gift in front of the giver if invited, and gifts are usually small tokens like sweets or souvenirs.

At the heart of Thai culture lies the concept of ‘sa nùk’, which emphasises fun, enjoyment, and a relaxed approach to life which makes Thai’s hospitable and enjoy hosting visitors as honoured guests. When getting to your destination, remember not to be overly late, as Thais today will keep to a time schedule. ​

• Before entering someone’s house, take off your shoes. It is respectful to step over the threshold of the door, as it has to do with Buddhist religious beliefs.  When you say hello, you will use ‘the wai, ’ which is a traditional greeting that involves placing your palms together in front of your chest and bowing slightly. The higher you place your hands, the more respect you show.

 

• Forks and spoons are the primary utensils in Thailand, and chopsticks are used for noodle dishes or in Chinese households. Guests are often served additional helpings and encouraged to eat generously, but leaving a small amount of food on the plate signals satisfaction.  Utensils should be placed together on the plate after eating, and it is impolite to use personal spoons for communal dishes. Starting with rice and a couple of complementary dishes is also considered polite, avoiding overfilling the plate initially. 

 

• Today, Thais value patience and politeness. Avoid raising your voice or losing your temper in public. Also, pushing and shoving to get on and off the metro or sidewalk is not advised. Instead, you will calmly line up on the sides of the sliding doors to the metro train, wait until people have disembarked, and then walk on, finding yourself a spot to sit or stand. If there is an elderly person or a parent with a young child, it is customary to stand and offer your seat.

Thai Royal Etiquette
One crucial point to note is the deep reverence for Thailand's monarchy. Criticism of the royal family is considered highly disrespectful and can have serious legal consequences. For instance, in January 2024, the German news agency Deutsche Welle reported that former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was facing legal action for allegedly insulting the monarchy during a 2015 interview. Therefore, it is imperative to avoid any negative comments about the royal family.

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The Khmer Empire was once a mighty empire dominating Southeast Asia.  It flourished from the 9th to the 15th centuries, ruled by a monarchy till its abolition from 1970 to 1993.  Cambodia's fortunes declined over centuries, becoming a French protectorate in the 19th century and gaining independence in 1953.  It was called ‘The Paris of the East’, which ended with the start of the Vietnam War, quickly jumping to the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime.  In the 1990s, Cambodia eventually established itself as a constitutional monarchy and embarked on a slow recovery and development path.
 
While travelling through Cambodia, I found the people kind, caring and curious.  It pleased me to see such bashfully happy, especially after the atrocities that occurred during the Khmer Rouge regime.  I felt there was so much to learn in Cambodia, and I only touched the surface.
 
Cambodian Etiquette

• The traditional Cambodian greeting is the ‘Sompiah’, similar to the Indian namaste.  To perform a ‘Sompiah’, place your palms together and bow your head slightly.  To show more respect, the higher your hands are, the lower your bow.  When greeting elders or those in a higher social or professional position, initiating the ‘Sompiah’ is customary.  When addressing elders, use honorific titles. "Lok" is used for men, and for women, "Lok Srey."

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• Cambodians are known for their hospitality and friendliness.  Entertaining food is an integral part of Cambodian culture; before coming to a person's house, they search for gifts like flowers, sweets, fruit, or dessert.  Don’t be surprised if the host ignores your gift; it will be appreciated long after you get home.  Upon entering the house, remove your shoes and be prepared to be escorted to the best place to sit.

Living in Australia you get to meet many people from the Pacific Islands, such as Tonga, Samoa, Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and new Caledonia.  Each island with it’s own languages and uniquely different from the other.
 
History of Samoa
In the early 18th century, European contact began with the Dutch and French explorers making initial visits to Samoa.  However, in the 1830s , it was the arrival of missionaries that significantly impacted Samoan society.  They introduced Christianity, which quickly integrated with traditional beliefs, brought in a new way of dressing, foods and sadly diseases.  Samoa has had its fair share of colonialising, in the late 19th century, leading to the islands being divided between Germany (and for a short while called ‘German Samoa’ yes, you heard that right!) and the United States.  In 1962, Western Samoa gained independence, becoming the first Polynesian nation to do so, while American Samoa remains an unincorporated territory of the United States.
 
The People of Samoa
What did I see and learn from the Samoan people?  I found them a very respectful, easy-going people who are known for their warmth, hospitality, and strong sense of community.  Central to Samoan identity is the concept of "fa'a Samoa" or "the Samoan way," which emphasises family, respect, and social responsibility.  You will find that the extended family or "aiga," where multiple generations live together, is a traditional lifestyle is evident in sharing resources and responsibilities.  Older persons are held in very high esteem in the Samoan community therefore leadership within these communities can be guided by a chiefly system.  Samoa also has a royal family who is ruled by four major title holders – Tupua Tamasese, Malietoa, Mata'afa, Tuimaleali'ifano families.

​Samoan Etiquette
On a Sunday, I found myself amazed as I watched Samoans walking to church in traditional dress, Bibles in hand, with distant smoke rising from backyard umus.  Early mornings often see Samoan families preparing food in underground ovens for post-church feasts.  Such a contrast from Australia.  If fortunate enough to be invited to a Samoan family gathering, consider these pointers. 
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• Shoes are removed before entering homes and once inside greet everyone, starting with the eldest. 
• If people are sitting, never stand to say hello, you will need to lower yourself to their level.  You’ll be offered the best floor mat; sit cross-legged or with legs tucked, but feel free to stretch modestly if needed.  
• Conversations should be relaxed yet formal, with slow, conversational speech and maintained eye contact, avoiding staring.
• Food is placed in the middle of the room, and meals typically begin with prayers, followed by the elders eating first.  
• Eating commences when indicated, and using hands is common, though cutlery is often provided.  
• Samoa has a delicious ‘natural’ cuisine, so be inquisitive and try everything, this is also a sign of respect.  
• Dishes often include pork, chicken, whole fish, lamb and beef, and local produce like breadfruit, taro, tapioca, green bananas, rice, bread and tropical fruits.  Meats and vegetables are frequently cooked in umus, especially on Sundays and special occasions.  
• Samoa is also known for cocoa, which can be purchased at markets or roadside stalls.  Grated cocoa mixed with sugar and milk creates "koko Samoa."  

Conclusion
My time in Samoa unveiled a strong tribal and familial culture with a deep appreciation for a creator.  Experiencing life with a Samoan family and immersing myself in their etiquette was truly rewarding and experiential.

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