Table of Contents
Foreword vi
Acknowledgements viii
Map of Laos xii
Chapter 1 First Impressions 1
Chapter 2 An Overview 8
Geography 9
Climate 12
Environment 13
Pre-History 18
History 19
The Struggle for Power 25
Religion 35
The Economy 43
Chapter 3 People 50
Identity 51
Education and Literacy 57
The Three Categories of Lao 59
Culture 64
Lao Ways of Thinking 65
To Sin or Not to Sin? 77
Traditional Buddhist Values 78
The Secret Life of the Lao 83
Merit-Making 86
The Lao Family 89
Khatoeys and Toms 101
Names 104
Status and Flattery 109
Cool Hearts 110
Diasters 110
Spirits 111
Chapter 4 The Lao and You 117
Body Image 121
Touching Hellos 121
Smiling 124
Laughter 126
Excuse Me 127
Body Language 128
Slowness 133
Lao English 134
Telephones 135
Speech Habits 138
Development 142
Time 144
Age 146
Visiting a Lao 147
Paying 150
Sex and Marriage 151
Taking Photos 155
Chapter 5 Practicalities 157
Touchdown 158
Fixer 159
Corruption and the Law 167
Home 169
Toilets 176
Servants 176
Utilities and Services 182
Schools 186
Books 187
Money 187
Shopping 190
Transport 192
Death and Birth in Laos 197
Legal Advice 198
Chapter 6 Eating in Laos 199
Lao Food 200
Lao Restaurants 200
Going Out to Eat 204
Pa Dek 205
Fish 206
Meals 208
Seven for Heaven: Popular and Traditional Dishes 212
Drinking Alcohol 213
Eating Habits 214
Chapter 7 Enjoying the Culture 216
Ceremonies and Festivals 217
Calender 218
Life-cycle Ceremonies 223
Games Lao Play 232
The Arts 236
Chapter 8 Learning Lao 239
Starting Up and Taking Off 240
Lao Dialects 241
Culture Through Language 242
Characteristics of the Language 244
Freedom of Expression 248
Chapter 9 Lao Business 249
The Background 250
Industries 251
Foreign Companies 253
Lao Working in Thailand 254
Working with Lao 255
The Work Ethic 261
Chapter 10 Fast Facts at Your Fingertips 268
System of Government 272
Culture Quiz 275
Do's and Don'ts 291
Glossary 293
Resource Guide 298
Further Reading 314
About the Author 316
Index 317
