A trip to Kyrgyzstan guarantees a stay full of surprises, discoveries, and meaningful encounters. This once-in-a-lifetime journey will take you to remote regions where nature reigns supreme and lead you to small villages where you'll meet a warm and welcoming population.

Travel is a wonderful way to share and discover new customs, but sometimes you need to adapt to avoid missteps and misunderstandings. So that all your days in Kyrgyzstan go smoothly, here are some tips on what you should do and not do in Kyrgyzstan.

Good Manners to Know in Kyrgyzstan

Giving a Gift to Your Hosts

When you travel to Kyrgyzstan, you'll likely have the opportunity to stay with local families, in a house or in a yurt. In Kyrgyzstan, it will be much appreciated if visitors bring a small gift. This could be a simple photograph, postcard, or keychain. If you're invited to dinner, it's also very nice to bring something like fruit, chocolate, or a bottle.

Eating with Your Hands and Finishing Your Plate

Certain Kyrgyz dishes are eaten with your hands, particularly beshbarmak and manti. Be sure to use your right hand for eating and not your left, which is considered unclean. It's also preferable to finish your plate completely, as leaving food could suggest you're dissatisfied with what you've been served.

Blessing Your Meal at the End

In some households, a meal may begin with a prayer—but every Kyrgyz meal ends with "Bata" or "Omin"—the Islamic equivalent of "amen." The hands are brought to the face with palms facing outward, as if washing the face—while saying the word "bata." You'll have the opportunity to bless your meal during your stay. Your English-speaking guide will teach you the proper gesture.

Sitting in the Right Place Around the Table

During large gatherings, the most respected or oldest man sits at the head of the table, with other guests seated in descending order of rank. Women tend to sit together on the other side of the table. In southern Kyrgyzstan, it sometimes happens that men and women eat in separate rooms.

Remove Your Shoes Before Entering a Home

When arriving at a host's home, it's appreciated to remove your shoes before entering, especially if they're dirty after a trek in nature. It's also recommended to enter by stepping with your right foot first and exit with your left foot to bring good luck to the family.

Negotiating Prices at Markets

In shops, prices are usually fixed, but at bazaars, you'll want to negotiate. Merchants tend to inflate prices when they see tourists. However, negotiation should be light-hearted, as the prices offered are already very competitive.

What Is Considered Rude in Kyrgyzstan

Blowing Your Nose at the Table or in Public

Avoid blowing your nose at the table or in public. If you need to sneeze or blow your nose, make sure to turn away from the table or, better yet, excuse yourself and leave the table discreetly. In public, try to blow your nose as discreetly as possible and turn your back to those around you as a sign of respect.

Don't Kiss as a Greeting

Although kissing on the cheek is customary in some cultures, doing so in Kyrgyzstan could be very surprising or even unwelcome. For greetings, it's better to shake hands. Men often shake hands with both hands to show respect—the left hand taps the back of the other hand—though there are variations. A man may shake the right hand while tapping with his left hand, or place his left hand on his chest. Women, however, sometimes exchange a light embrace by touching right cheeks without kissing. Only older women occasionally kiss younger women on the cheek.

Don't Kiss on the Mouth in Public

This advice is for couples. Even if your trip to Kyrgyzstan is to celebrate your honeymoon, it's best to refrain from displaying overly affectionate gestures. Kissing on the mouth in public is disrespectful and will make those around you uncomfortable. Be patient and wait until you're in private to show your loved one some tenderness.

Don't Overdo the Thank-Yous

English-speakers tend to be polite, and perhaps overly polite by international standards. It comes naturally to us to thank our host when they welcome us, offer us tea, show us to our room, and so on. Kyrgyzstan makes far less use of this courtesy. "Thank you" is considered a significant expression and should be reserved for important services. During your stay, you might, for example, thank your host just once, before you leave, and accompany your gratitude with a small gift.