Customs
Gift Giving Etiquette: Gifts are often given at birthday parties or religious holidays. Most often the gifts are not expensive, but symbolic and have a special meaning. Flowers are usually not a good gift because they are given when someone is in mourning. Also avoid black and white, for they also represent mourning and funerals. Alcohol can be a good gift, but be sure the person you are giving it to drinks. Make sure to know the religion of the recipient. If they are Muslim stay away from pig products and alcohol. If they are Hindu stay away from any leather products. When giving or receiving a gift always use both of your hands. When given a gift do not open it right away.
Dining Etiquette: Dining in Sri Lanka is a big custom. People like to have big dinners with friends and family. When invited to someone else's house expect to talk a while and receive dinner 2 or 3 hours after you were invited. Wait to sit down at the table until someone offers you a seat. You will most likely be asked if you would like to wash your hands before and after the meal, it is recommended to take them up on the offer. Either you will be served food, or you will serve yourself, both of these are common. When eating your meal keep your elbows off the table and use your right hand to eat. You will be given either bread or rice, with these you should scoop the food off of your plate. If you are full and someone puts more food on your plate you do not need to eat it, however when you eat your dinner you should leave a small amount of food on your plate because this tells everyone that you are full. If you eat everything, this shows everyone that you are still hungry. Make sure not to overstay your welcome. Leave about a half hour after you have eaten your meal.
Cites Used
"Sri Lanka - Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette." Kwintessential. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.
Dining Etiquette: Dining in Sri Lanka is a big custom. People like to have big dinners with friends and family. When invited to someone else's house expect to talk a while and receive dinner 2 or 3 hours after you were invited. Wait to sit down at the table until someone offers you a seat. You will most likely be asked if you would like to wash your hands before and after the meal, it is recommended to take them up on the offer. Either you will be served food, or you will serve yourself, both of these are common. When eating your meal keep your elbows off the table and use your right hand to eat. You will be given either bread or rice, with these you should scoop the food off of your plate. If you are full and someone puts more food on your plate you do not need to eat it, however when you eat your dinner you should leave a small amount of food on your plate because this tells everyone that you are full. If you eat everything, this shows everyone that you are still hungry. Make sure not to overstay your welcome. Leave about a half hour after you have eaten your meal.
Cites Used
"Sri Lanka - Language, Culture, Customs, and Etiquette." Kwintessential. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Nov. 2013.