Local traditions and culture in Afghanistan

In Afghanistan, Ramadan is observed seriously. If you are told that the Afghans are observing Ramadan at the time of your visit, please no matter what, do not drink water, chew a gum, eat anything in front of them or listen to your iPOD or MP3. The Afghans refrain from listening to music, eating and drinking water during daytime. In 2009, Ramadan is scheduled around end of August. Just inquire before flying to Afghanistan in August. It will be a grave offence if you eat or drink in front of the Afghans during Ramadan.

You have to know that Afghans have closely-knit families and friends. When you are with your tour guide or with a friend and an acquaintance of the latter comes along, they will greet each other and will be asking "how are you?", "how's your health?". "how's your family?" at the same time and the conversation will go on and on. Please, do not interrupt them, wait for your turn to be introduced and don't introduce yourself. It's their practice to ask each other and hug and kiss each other on the cheeks. Observe and respect the culture. It's entirely different from yours and they do not mean to be rude.

Foreign female visitors are expected to wear shawls to cover their head and chest. Afghanistan is a Moslem country where most of its women still wear burqas. Women are not expected to shake hands with men and as female, expect to be ignored while men do their introductory greetings (which involves shaking of hand and kissing the cheeks and hugging a bit). It is normal for Afghan men to hold hands while walking. Don't raise your eyebrows, even Afghan policemen do that. It is their custom and we have to respect it whilst there.

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Despite the history of conflict, this country has so many friendly and hospitable people. They firmly believe that Allah controls everything and that anything that happens is according to His will. Afghans are loyal to their family and stress honor and responsibility.

The talking distance is considered to be close by some standards, but don't pull away.

Male friends are often seen walking arm in arm or holding hands.

Do:
Greet with the arabic: Assalaam alaikum (Peace be upon you)
Respond to greetings with: Waalaikum assalaam (and peace also upon you)
Address others by title when possible. "Mullah" religious leader (giver of knowledge) or "Khan" (Sir). "Haji" is for only those who have made the pilgrimiage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
Remove footwear for prayers
Point with your whole hand rather than one finger
Use a handshake and a pat on the back when greeting male friends.
Women: embrace female friends and kiss three times on alternating cheeks.
Belch - In many areas, its an expression of appreciation for a good meal!

Do Not:
Drink alcohol or eat pork in front of Afghans
Give the "Thumbs up" or "Ok" hand gestures
Eat or drink in front of an Afghan during Ramadan
Play loud music when they are praying
Wink
Blow your nose in public
Eat with your left hand
Sit with the soles of your feet toward someone else
Ask a man of his wife/daughter/sister
Ask an Afghan their ethnic origin

In Afghanistan, there is a very different sense of time. How long it takes to accomplish a task is not as important as long as it does get accomplished. Afhgans sometimes arrive "late" by others standards. When conducting business, it is essential that you meet in person and have much patience in your negotiations.

Regarding gifts, you should recriprocate any gifts that you receive. Much appreciated would be gifts from your hometown.

It would be risky to accept food or water from the locals, (see warnings) though I did once accept a cup of chai (actually dari for "tea") and it was the best that I had ever tasted. Didn't get the least bit sick. But be wary.

It can also be dangerous to accept cigarettes from locals. Don't risk it.

Women: In Kabul, there were some women wearing blue burkhas, but there were also many women wearing more contempary clothing/scarves which is becoming popular. Under the Tablian rule, women were rarely seen and when going out, they were covered from head to toe. It seems to be more conservative the farther away you are from Kabul.

Men: While 99% of Afghans are Muslims, in Kabul there are many men who are clean shaven. Men tend to wear a long shirt over baggy pants, tied with a string. They can ben seen wearing the male version of the scarves and also flat wool caps.

The Pastuns mainly wear the head turbans in grey or black.

Dari is spoken most widely in Kabul (an urban language / similar to Farsi and Tajik) but Pashto is also used. There are over 30 languages/dialects used in Afghanistan, but most educated Aghans can speak both Dari and Pashto. Writing is right to left.

Here are a few key phrases in Dari which would be helpful to know:
Hello/Good morning/afternoon/evening etc.. Salaam alaikum
Response: Wa alaikum salaam
Do you speak english? Te pe engleesi khabara kawei?
My name is_______: Naam-a man _______
What is your name? Naam-a shuma chee ast?
How are you? Che-toar has-ti?
I am fine: Man khob hastam
Goodbye: Kho-do hafaz
Yes/No: B'e lee/Na

0 - sefer
1 - yak
2 - du
3 - she
4 - chor
5 - panj
6 - shish
7 - khaft
8 - khasht
9 - nukh
10 - dakh

Afghanistan is a mutli-national country so there culture varies from place to place. Kabul nowadays is controled and ifluenced by persians however little bit of pashtoons also still there. over all attitude is little bit like iran. mazar sharif is controled by uzbeks and shiites, and one cant observe the true face of society if they find you a pakistani.