Thailand, 2006.11

Statues of important persons past. The locals apply small pieces of (gold?) foil to the statues when they attend to make prayers. While attending such site in Thailand, do this:

1. Kneel and sit on your calves, to ensure that you are not direpectfully pointing your feet at the Buddha (or other symbolic statuary) or other parties present.
2. Remove sunglasses.
3. If you must speak, do so quietly. Braying North American tourists, I'm speaking to you.... ;)
4. Cover bare shoulders and sleeves (some sites provide loose outer garments for this purpose).
5. No kissing.

Being a clumsy and clueless tourist, I broke all of these rules while there. Except the bare shoulders thing.

Also, the usual Thai greeting of holding your hands together before you should be used when "greeting" such a site. However, the hands should be held together so that the thumbs butt against the forehead. Then bow slightly and push your hands away from yourself, and separate them so that the palms face out. Do this three times.

Now you know as much as I do. I make no warrants for my having understood this all correctly.