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Cambodian Customs - Essay

  • Writer: Shally Toun
    Shally Toun
  • Oct 24, 2022
  • 3 min read
Describe a custom from your country that you would like people in other countries to adopt. Explain your choice using specific reasons and examples.

There are many customs practiced in the world. All customs have their reasons, some customs lead to good habits. In Cambodia, before you enter someone’s home or business, you have to take off your shoes. This is one Cambodian custom that I would like others to adopt because it keeps your home clean, makes less noise, and shows respect.

First, I would like others to take of their shoes before entering someone’s home because it keeps the house clean. Shoes can carry dir and other things like gum and deadly insects, which stick to the bottom part and be tracked into the house. In Cambodia, it is very bad luck if you carry insects into your house it means you bring bad spirits inside. Furthermore, dirty shoes can make housework, such as sweeping and mopping, and the dirt can makes the house smelly, too. Taking off your shoes before your enter someone’s house is one Cambodian custom that I would like others to adopt because it keeps your house looking nice and clean.


Second, it is also a good idea to take off your shoes when entering someone’s house because it makes less noise in the house. People in the house can enjoy reading, talking, and working at home easily without listening to noisy footsteps. It is annoying when you can hear the sound of someone walking in the house, especially when you want to focus on doing something. In Cambodia, most shoes are made of hard plastic. Since most floors are wood in Cambodia, these plastic shoes make loud, squeaky sounds. In addition, in Cambodian, there is a proverb that says, “Stupid people only make noise with shoes.” For this reason, not wearing shoes in the house makes less noise, so I would like others to adopt this custom.


Finally, it shows respect when you take off your shoes before entering someone’s home. This meant that you keep someone’s house just like your own home. Taking your shoes off show you are gentle, neat, and cognizable, and the hast will welcome and respect you more. In many temples in Cambodia, it is required to take off your shoes before you entered inside. This is to show respect to spirits. When you show respect, Cambodians will respect you and will want to get to know you more. There are many ways to show respect, but taking off your shoes before entering someone’s home is one custom that I would like others to adopt.


In conclusion, in Cambodia, before you entered someone’s home or business, you have to take off your shoes. This is one of the Cambodian customs that I would like others to adopt because it keeps your home clean, makes less noise, and shows respect. Not taking your shoes off can cause permanent dirt on the floor or wall in the house. Furthermore, there is less noise when you take off your shoes. Your family can enjoy peace and quiet at home. Finally, taking off your shoes shows respect to your host. No one wants to live in a dirty home and wants to keep it clean all the time. It is time to treat someone’s home just like your home.

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© 2024 by Shally Toun. BA, M.Ed.

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