Family
The traditional Myanmar family includes grandparents, aunts and uncles, and even the relatives and close friends are considered as part of the family members. Children live with their parents until they marry. Beating children for some extent is widely practiced and it is considered necessary in the training of a child.
Marriage
Marriage is respected. Arranged marriages are still practiced and interracial marriages are generally accepted among all the ethnic groups.
Gender Roles
A well-behaved Myanmar woman should be modest and discreet, dress neatly, and not talk or laugh loudly. Traditionally man is the head of the family and earns the money while the woman takes care of household duties. But to the needs of the family also woman might earn money for family but without neglecting household duties. According to Buddhist’s practice only man can attain the monkhood and also women may become nuns but do not enjoy the revered status bestowed upon monks.
Housing
Most of the people in Myanmar live in bamboo houses with no electricity. Cooking is done on an open fire area near to the house. Most of the people eat rice every meal. Bread, cake and cookies are for special occasions only.
Education
Education is valued by all. Teaching methodology however, is teacher-centered with memorization and repeating the chorus. Most of the students do not ask many questions because questioning the teacher is considered as a kind of challenge and disrespectful. Students are taught to stand up when speaking in class and to cross their arms over their chest while speaking as a sign of respect. Teachers are highly respected and will be called ‘Teacher’ instead of his/her name.
Showing Respect
Myanmar people highly respect monk and elders. The elders in Myanmar are viewed as source of wisdom for the younger generation and the youth are expected to listen to the them. Children are expected to care for their parents when they grow old and it is considered a great humiliation to neglect this responsibility.
Naming
Myanmar people do not have family names, to identify each other, they refer to their father’s name and place of origin. Calling by name is disrespectful and instead of calling their name we call them as brother, sister, uncle, auntie, father, mother, grandfather or grandmother and teacher.
Body Language
The head holds special honor and must of be touched. The feet hold lowest place and should not point at anyone. Shaking hands is not usual but when it is done, the right hand is supported by the left as a sign of respect. When handing something to someone, Myanmar people use both and never use left hand. When calling someone with hand, the palm faces down and upward facing palm and index finger is a sign of challenge.
Food
Myanmar people eat rice every meal. Bread is consumed in urban areas and then only at breakfast or teatime. Cakes and cookies are for special occasions only.
