Getting to know the Culture of Laos
By Hing McGrath
Laos is a Southeastern Asian country. The Capital of Laos is Vientiane. There are five countries connected to Laos. They are: Thailand, China, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia. The Laotian capital is connected to Thailand, which is very convenient for both countries to do businesses together.
Laos and Thailand are like siblings because they’re able to communicate with each other. We most likely speak the same language. People in Laos are able to watch and understand Thai television channels, drama, movies and news. It is very interesting that people from two countries are able to understand each other without learning each other’s language just like Canada and France or the United States and England.
Most of the people in Laos have a family business. They like to stick together, work together, and eat together everyday. Their transportation includes cars, minibuses and public buses, but motorcycles are the most common way to travel.
People in Laos buy their own land all in cash and build their own houses. Inside the house, the floor is tile (not carpet); the kitchen is outside because of the heat. They use charcoal and wood to make fire and cook. Dogs are their security.
The weather is hot ten months out of the year, but cold only two months (January and February), so the people over there are able to plant all kinds of vegetables throughout the year.
Having cash with you is very important. They use cash everywhere and for everything such as transportation, shopping, buying gas and food, buying food at a restaurant, and parking lot fees. Credit cards are not accepted. To make a phone call or text, you need to buy a phone card. You must type the number on the back of the phone card into your cell phone.
There is no freedom of religion, no house address, no mailbox. If a house is away from the main street, there’s no garbage pick up. But the thing I love the most is the food! Food in Laos is very healthy and fresh, not frozen. If you’re visiting there, you will rarely see big or fat people. There are few people with bad disease over there, because they eat healthy.
Almost everybody in Laos has the same background and culture. Laotian people are taught to trust each other. Children over there are more connected and home schooling is rare.
Most people in Laos have their own garden. The people love to eat seafood. Few people have allergies. They pick fruits from trees! I miss all the fruit trees that I planted very much. I feel like we grew up together. I used to see all the trees that I planted every morning and I liked to sleep under the trees and feel the fresh air.
Laos is a friendly country where all feel welcome.