● Common language
Myanmar's main official language is Burmese. But since Myanmar had long been ruled by British colonial and most of the university textbooks are in English in Myanmar, so English is still the popular common language on Myanmar's official and business occasions, and ordinary people can understand some simple English. At present, although mandarin is being promoted in Myanmar, the popularity is still limited.
In Myanmar, whether on official occasions or for nongovernmental contact, learning a few Burmese words can show respect, and boost the relationship, such as hello, see you again, thank you, good, yes, yes sir, you, I (myself).
● Common currency
Myanmar's common currency is Myanmar Kyat, with the unit of kyat, abbreviated as the MMK.
At present, in the Myanmar market, the kyat currency denominations circulating as common currency include: 10,000MMK, 5,000MMK, 1,000MMK, 500MMK, 200MMK, 100MMK and so on, of which 10,000MMK has the highest value, 5,000MMK and 1,000MMK are the most popular, and 500MMK, 200MMK, 100MMK are used for tips, change and so on.
At present, the exchange rate of the 1 US dollar to MMK is around 1: 1350. In other words, 1 dollar can exchange around 1,350 kyats.
In Myanmar, the US dollar is also a relatively common currency. Hotels and jewelry stores and the like can accept dollars. But with the implementation of the new regulations of the new government in Myanmar, the number of places that dollars can be used is gradually decreasing. In addition, in the Aung San market and other major shopping locations, RMB can often be used as a settlement currency.
● Daily Communication
At present, the usage rate of network and the Internet in Myanmar is relatively high, with most of the hotels allowed to treat foreign guests having WIFI access, some hotels requiring a password to access WIFI service, and some even offer public WIFI without a password.
The most popular social networking site in Myanmar is Facebook, the most widely used e-mail is Gmail, and the online contact method used most is Viber and message. QQ and Wechat are used mainly by the Chinese in Myanmar, but not very popular among Burmans.
In Myanmar, now more than 32.9% of its population have mobile phones. In recent years, the popularity of mobile phone communication in Myanmar has grown fast. The original price of a phone card was up to 1,500 to 4,000 US dollars, but now a phone card only costs 1,500 MMK (about 1 US dollar).
Up to now, there are a total of three mainstream telecom operators in Myanmar, namely, MPT, TELENOR, and OOREDOO. Among them, the predecessor of MPT was the government telecommunications companies, while the other two are foreign telecommunications companies. The Internet speed has had a significant leap compared to that a few years ago.
● How to make a phone call
1）To make an international call (landline phone)
00 + country code + area code + landline phone number
For example: call Beijing landline 0086 +10 + landline phone number
2）To make an international call (mobile phone)
00 + country code + mobile phone number
For example: call the Chinese mobile phone 0086 + mobile phone number
3）To call the landline phone in Myanmar
Area code + landline phone number
For example: call the Chinese Chamber of Commerce (Yangon) 01 +371549
4）To call the mobile phone in Myanmar
Directly call the phone number
5）To call the mobile phone in Myanmar from abroad
0095 + Myanmar mobile phone number
● Religious taboos
In Myanmar religious sites and temples, people must not wear shoes or socks; otherwise it is disrespectful to the Buddha. In addition, people should pay attention to clothing in religious sites. Men are prohibited from wearing vests or shorts, and women are strictly prohibited from wearing revealing clothes in the temple.
In the temple, a lot of pagodas and Buddha can be “covered with gold leaf” to express people's admiration for the Buddha, but women are strictly prohibited from approaching.
In Myanmar, ordinary people cannot gain “an equal footing” with the monks, nor "a meal together." Ladies should be particularly careful in Myanmar, for the ladies cannot easily touch the cassock or monks.
● Cultural taboos
It is absolutely prohibitive to directly ask about time when you travel in Myanmar. The driver is most reluctant to reply when asked when to arrive or how long it takes, because they believe this will bring bad luck. In addition, when going out, it is taboo to bring pork. It is said that Myanmar has many road gods, and none of them eats pork. If pork is with you, it’s believed that something ominous will happen to you.
For a trip by car, the most taboo number is "9". The whole number of passengers in the car cannot be "9". If the car takes nine people, misfortune will fall. The least severe situation can be breakdown, while the most one can be a car accident. If you cannot get rid of the number "9", under the helpless circumstances, there is a solution: to bring a small stone, and mumble some words: "small stones, small stones, go with us for the ride."
In Myanmar it is a taboo to point at things, throw things, and even wake up people by toe, for it is extremely disrespectful and most offensive. In public places, it is a taboo to "throw" anything (money or other things) to others. Goods should be passed by hand, and politely with both hands. "Throwing” things to others in the Burmese culture is considered as an insult.