Quick answer
Greet people with a smile or ayubowan, use your right hand to give and receive, and dress modestly away from the beach. At temples, cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats, and never pose with your back to a Buddha. Give monks space and seats, and women should avoid touching them. The head wobble usually means yes or OK. Keep banter friendly, drink discreetly, bargain politely and never lose your temper in public.
Key takeaways
- Use your right hand to give, receive and eat.
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples, and remove shoes and hats.
- Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue.
- A sideways head wobble usually means yes or OK.
- Losing your temper in public causes embarrassment; stay calm.
Greetings and hands
Ayubowan, with palms pressed together, is the traditional greeting, though a handshake is common with men in towns. A smile goes a long way. Use first names with care; titles such as Mr or Mrs are polite with older people.
The right hand is used for giving, receiving, eating and shaking hands, as the left is considered unclean. When giving money or a gift, offering it with the right hand, or both hands, is respectful.
Pointing with a finger or your feet at people or sacred images is considered rude; gesture with an open hand instead.
- →Ayubowan or a handshake.
- →Right hand for giving and eating.
- →No pointing with fingers or feet.
Temples and monks
At temples, cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats, and walk clockwise around stupas. Never pose with your back to a Buddha statue, and do not touch statues or sit on them. Clothing and tattoos showing the Buddha are offensive and can cause serious problems.
Monks are highly respected. Give them space, offer seats on buses and trains, and women should avoid touching monks or handing things directly to them. Ask before photographing monks.
Lankan Stays & Trails drivers usually brief fans before a first temple visit, which takes the guesswork out of it.
- →Covered shoulders and knees.
- →No posing with your back to a Buddha.
- →Respect and space for monks.
Body language
The sideways head wobble, common across South Asia, usually means yes, OK or I understand, not no. It takes a day or two to read naturally. Nodding and shaking work too.
Public displays of affection are kept modest, especially outside tourist areas. Holding hands is fine; kissing in public is not. Raising your voice or losing your temper in public causes embarrassment for everyone and rarely gets results.
Patience helps: things often run on a relaxed schedule.
- →Head wobble: yes or OK.
- →Modest public affection.
- →Stay calm and patient.
Banter and the crowd
Sri Lankan fans enjoy banter and will happily joke about 1996 or the latest result. Keep it friendly and good-humoured, as the locals do. Abuse, personal insults or anything about religion or politics crosses a line.
Australian chants and songs are generally welcomed, but drunken behaviour is not. Respect the national anthem, and stand when it plays.
Sri Lankan fans often want photos with visiting supporters; saying yes makes friends.
- →Friendly banter only.
- →No religion or politics.
- →Stand for the anthem.
Alcohol, dress and bargaining
Alcohol is legal, but heavy public drinking is frowned upon, and on poya days, the monthly full moon holidays, it is not sold. Drink discreetly away from bars and the ground.
Away from the beach, dress modestly. Shirts on in town, swimwear only on the sand. Bargaining is normal at markets and with tuk-tuks without meters, but do it politely, with a smile, and accept a fair price.
Smoking is banned in many public places.
- →Discreet drinking; none on poya days.
- →Shirts on in town.
- →Polite bargaining.
In someone's home
If invited into a home, remove shoes at the door, accept tea or food when offered and bring a small gift. Compliments on the food and the family are always welcome.
Meals are often eaten with the right hand, and hosts may serve guests first and eat afterwards. Accepting a second helping is a compliment, and it is polite to leave a little on the plate when you have had enough.
Frequently asked questions
What is the etiquette at Sri Lankan temples?
Cover shoulders and knees, remove shoes and hats, walk clockwise around stupas and never pose with your back to a Buddha statue. Do not touch statues or sit on them. Clothing and tattoos showing the Buddha are offensive and can cause serious problems.
What does the head wobble mean in Sri Lanka?
The sideways head wobble usually means yes, OK or I understand, not no. It is common across South Asia and takes a day or two to read naturally. If unsure, ask again with a simple yes or no question.
Why should you use your right hand in Sri Lanka?
The right hand is used for giving, receiving, eating and shaking hands, as the left is considered unclean. Offering money or a gift with the right hand, or both hands, is respectful. It is an easy habit to adopt.
How should you behave around monks in Sri Lanka?
Give monks space, offer them seats on buses and trains, and ask before photographing them. Women should avoid touching monks or handing things directly to them. Monks are highly respected, and courtesy towards them is noticed.
Is banter OK with Sri Lankan cricket fans?
Yes, friendly banter is part of the fun, and Sri Lankan fans enjoy joking about 1996 and recent results. Keep it good-humoured, and avoid personal insults, religion and politics. Drunken behaviour leaves a poor impression.
Can you drink alcohol in public in Sri Lanka?
Alcohol is legal, but heavy public drinking is frowned upon. Drink in bars, restaurants and hotels, and discreetly elsewhere. On poya days, the monthly full moon holidays, alcohol is not sold. Check the calendar before planning a big night.
Is bargaining expected in Sri Lanka?
Bargaining is normal at markets, small shops and with tuk-tuk drivers who do not use meters. Do it politely, with a smile, and accept a fair price. Fixed-price shops, supermarkets and hotels do not bargain.
What should you do when invited into a Sri Lankan home?
Remove shoes at the door, accept tea or food when offered and bring a small gift, such as something from Australia or a cricket souvenir. Use your right hand to give and receive, compliment the food and ask before taking photos of the family.