Sri Lanka, similar most countries in the world have unique features that will make a foreigner always second guess what’s happening. Sri Lankan people may have certain mannerisms, behaviours or habits that might seem odd and considered as plain weird by an outsider visiting the country. To break down a few of these would be as follows;
The innovative use of umbrellas; Sri Lankans have a strange fondness towards umbrellas, considering the unbearable heat it is understood. But in Sri Lanka you will find couples huddled up under umbrellas. This is a sight that would catch your eye when you are going for an evening stroll along the beach in Colombo or Galle near some of the beach side hotels such as Tamarind Hill in Galle,Sri Lanka or when walking along the Galle fort. You can also check out your list of things to do in Galle while you visit the famous Lighthouse and Clock tower in Galle fort area.
Rice and curry every day; Sri Lankans love their rice and curry. In fact Sri Lankan curry dishes are filled with delicious flavours and exotic spices. Although Sri Lankans have rice and curry for breakfast, lunch and dinner, every day!!
The use of vodka flasks as water bottles; Sri Lanka is doing the right thing and disposing plastic and recycling glass, which a great step for the country’s economy and environment. Although seeing a Tuk Tuk driver take out a bottle of vodka, remove the lid and chug it right out of the bottle in broad day light when you are stuck in traffic would likely give a foreigner a stroke provided that the said Tuk Tuks are usually not driven with care around the country anyway.
The head wobble; Sri Lankan people have a habit of shaking their heads as a signal of acceptance or denial during conversations. An average Sri Lankan or a tourist who have visited the country a couple of times would immediately comprehend that the vertical wobble represents an acceptance and the horizontal wobble denotes denial, this would appear as utter nonsense for a foreigner and be of great confusion specially when trying to communicate with someone.
Lastly note Sri Lanka is a beautiful country and the hospitality of the people are off the charts. It’s a great place to visit, these are simply a few things that may appear alien to non-native visitor.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+