Tibetan Traditions – Tibetan Hospitality

Because Tibetans always keep the living habits of nomad, they are famous for their hospitality. In Tibetan traditions, party is the most popular recreation no matter for upper class or lower class. Sometimes, the party which held by noble family will last for 10 to 15 days. The noble family may invite hundreds guests in turn, and asks some guests to spend a night there. Even at the last days, the host will entertain his best friends for several days and nights

Tibetan Traditions – Tibetan Hospitality about Invitation

If the relationship between you and the host is not very close, you may hard to have fun in his family party. In general, the invitation is oral. The steward of the host will come to present a Hada to you, and invite you with some gorgeous words in advance. But they will not mention the specific time of the party. Until the day of party, the hospitable host will send people to invite you for three times. The first time is in the morning; the second time will be a little later; and the third time will be in the noon. After the third time, people who know this Tibetan tradition will dress up and ready to go.

Tibetan Traditions – Tibetan Hospitality about Welcome

In Tibetan traditions, there are strict rules about the welcome etiquette. The host should welcome the most respectable guest outside the entrance gate; welcome the guests with a little lower guest at the second gate; welcome guest with much lower status at the staircase. If the status of the gust is a little lower than the host, the host will wait at the gate of living room. If the status of the guest is much lower than the host, the host will stay in the living room. The way of farewell is same as welcome.

On the party, only the most respectable guest can live with the host. The other guests will be arranged to stay in specific rooms. On all orthodox Tibetan parties, the ladies and gentlemen need to reside separately.