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

Asked about 5 hours agoViewed 406 times
J
Joseph U.665 rep1
asked about 5 hours ago

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

18
asked about 5 hours ago
J
Joseph U.665 rep1

3 Answers

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.

29
|
answered about 5 hours ago
A
Amali K.16950 rep1

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.

44
|
answered about 5 hours ago
R
Ruwan M.20290 rep1

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.

32
|
answered about 5 hours ago
N
Nishantha D.16190 rep1

You must be logged in to post an answer.

Log In to Answer

🔥 Popular tags

Related

Fair TukTuk Prices

Help travelers avoid overcharging!

Be the first to report a price