food

Is it offensive to use your left hand in Sri Lanka.

Asked 5 months agoSeen by 408 travellers

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Joseph U.•665 rep•1

I am left handed. Do I really have to eat and hand over money with my right hand.

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asked 5 months ago

Joseph U.•665 rep•1

3 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Yes culturally the left hand is traditionally associated with bathroom hygiene across South Asia. It is considered highly impolite to hand money pass objects or interact with someone using only your left hand.

answered 5 months ago

Amali K.•16950 rep•1

When eating traditional rice and curry with your hands you must strictly use your right hand to mix and eat the food. If you are left handed it is completely acceptable and common to simply use a fork and spoon instead.

answered 5 months ago

Ruwan M.•20290 rep•1

Locals are very forgiving of tourists making mistakes but making a conscious effort to hand over cash to shopkeepers or wave hello using your right hand shows immense respect for their culture.