Enjoy your time in Mongolia

Some suggestions:

• It is best if your belongings don’t pollute the environment.
• Please do your best to respect local traditions and customs.
• Take any medication you might need, especially for stomach illnesses.
• Take small gifts such as candy, fruit, or cookies for your hosts.
• Beware of dogs! They are there go guard the ger.
• Have suitable clothing for both warm and cold weather.
• Buy local products and use local services as much as a possible. Ask your guide to do so as well.
• Ask permission before taking photos.

Mongolian Customs

When in a ger:

• When entering a ger, move in a clockwise direction to the west and north. The east side of the ger is the women’s side and the west side is the men’s side. The most respected position in a ger is opposite the entrance and is generally reserved for the eldest or guests.
• Do not walk on the threshold of the ger doorway and never stand in a doorway with your arms bracing the door frame.
• When in a ger do not lean on ger poles or walk between them.
• In some Mongolian households, you will be asked to remove your shoes upon entering. Follow your host’s example. When sitting, do not allow the soles of your feet to face anyone or rest them on furniture – it is offensive.
• Women should not sit cross-legged in a ger.
• Never sit on tables.
• Hats should always be placed with the open end down. A man’s hat, and/or deek sash should never be placed on the floor and should not touch other’s hats/sashes.
• Do not whistle indoors.
• Avoid placing valuables on the floor – others may get the impression that they are unimportant and do as they wish.
• Gifts are never given immediately, but rather after some time is spent in conversation. Gifts are also not to be opened in the giver’s presence.

While eating or drinking:

• When giving or receiving food or drink, you should do so with your right hand extended and left hand supporting the right elbow or with two hands.
• It is also polite to first roll down your sleeves or the action of doing so if you are not wearing long sleeves beforehand.
• It’s not polite to refuse tea, food or “ white food “ when offered.
• When offered vodka or airag, accept it. If you would rather not drink it, simply bring it to your lips and return it to the person who handed it to you.
• When visiting someone’s home, always finish your tea.
• Hold your cup or bowl by the bottom or sides, but never by the rim.
• Avoid standing.
• If food or other items are placed out when a groups sits together, it is communal property. Cigarettes, for example, placed on the table belong to the group.
• Never leave a knife standing in meat.
• Mongolians believe that cold drinks aren’t good for the stomach.
• Mongolian people don’t like to talk while they eat.
• Mongolians generally do not like to eat outside.

Manner and Mannerisms

• When and if you step on someone’s foot, quickly shake their right hand and say “uuchilaarai”
• Mongolians touch each other more that foreigners. It is normal to see man or women holding hands or putting their arms around each other’s shoulders.
• It is normal for Mongolians to not introduce the friends they are with to friends they meet.
• Mongolian friends often visit each other’s homes unexpectedly, without notice.
• If given a gift of food in a container that is expected to be returned, do not return the container to its owner empty. Always return with something inside (candy, cookies, etc…)
• It is oddly redundant to say “Sain baina uu” to the same person more than once in the same day.
• When greeted, you should always reply that all is well. Later in conversation, you may discuss difficulties or problems.
• A conversation should begin with inquiry about family, livestock, personal health, etc… then, you may discuss business.
• If you take person’s photograph, it is polite to give that person a copy.
• If you notice someone’s deel sash is loose or dragging, tell them whether or not you know them.
• Always mount and dismount a horse from its left side.
• When giving knives or scissors, offer the handle, not the blade.
• It is very rude to put your thumb between two fingers. It is polite, however to show your middle finger as a sign that something is normal, medium or all right.

Formal Occasions

The passing/exchanging of snuff bottles is reserved for formal occasions. You may sniff the bottle as received or sample a bit by placing a small amount on your thumb and sniffing it. However, when returning the bottle to it’s owner, be sure the cap is not closed for you may be sending the message that you do not like him/her.

White food

• Mongolian will never put water into milk… only vice versa.
• If Mongolians spill airag, milk, or any dairy product on the ground, they will dip their fingers into it and touch it lightly to their forehead.
• When housewife makes milk-tea in the morning, she must raise the choicest part of the tea to the sky – some say to the sun, some say to the Earth Mother. The same is true for the airag and vodka.

Beliefs

• Some Mongolians believe that if you throw “dirty” trash in a ger fire ( i.e. animal products, vegetable peels, bloody items), you will upset the Gods.
• Do not spin your hat on your finger, you will invite bad spirits.
• Tuesday and Saturday are “bad”… people will not build buildings, move, travel, or food shop on these days.
• If you trip when entering someone’s home, it is considered good luck. However, if you trip when leaving someone’s ger – pick up fire wood from the ground, re- enter and throw it into the fire. If leaving an apartment, just re-enter the home before leaving.
• Some Mongolians have names like “ not this”, “no name”,” bad dog”, “not anyone”, “not human” , etc…

  These names are given because of birth complication leading to miscarriage experienced with former pregnancies.

  Mongolians do not like cats. If one crosses their way, they spit over their left shoulder three times.

  
  
• Women should avoid sitting at the corner of a table. It is believed that doing so will ensure a lonely life.
• If two pregnant women greet each other, the gender of their babies will be switched.
• If you lie to a pregnant woman you will upset the child.

Currency

Mongolian currency is Tugruk which is available in denominations of 10,20, 50, 100, 1000, 10000 and 20000. All notes carry the face of Chingghis Khaan and Sukhbaatar. The exchange rate is constantly changing.

Most of Mongolia is 8 hours ahead of GMT. However, the three western aimags of Khovd, Uvs and Bayan-Ulgii are GMT+7.

Electricity

Electricity is 220V and 50Hz. The sockets throughout the country accommodate 2 or 3 pin plugs.

Telephone

Dialing to Mongolia is relatively simple although may take several attempts. Mongolia’s National code is +976. Making international telephone call is relatively easy. Most hotels have International Direct Dial facilities.