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Currently reported don'ts for 'Bangladesh': 19

Bangladesh

Bangladesh
  • Capital

    Capital

    Dhaka

  • Local time

    Local time

    0:52

  • Population

    Population

    164.12 m

  • Driving side

    Driving side

    Left

  • Calling code

    Calling code

    +880

  • Currency

    Currency

    ৳ BDT (taka)

Read more facts about Bangladesh
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Bangladesh

Bangladesh
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  • Capital

    Capital

    Dhaka

  • Local time

    Local time

    0:52

  • Population

    Population

    164.12 m

  • Driving side

    Driving side

    Left

  • Calling code

    Calling code

    +880

  • Currency

    Currency

    ৳ BDT (taka)

  • Average Salary

    Average Salary

    $ 340

  • Petrol price

    Petrol price

    € 1.30 pl

  • Precipitation

    Precipitation

    2 666mm /year

Geography & travel

  • Country Area

    Country Area

    147 570 km2

  • Protected Area

    Protected Area

    5%

  • Forest Area

    Forest Area

    11%

  • Agricultural area

    Agricultural area

    69%

  • Railways

    Railways

    2835km

  • Annual air passengers

    Annual air passengers

    3.82 m

Population

  • Ethnicity

    Ethnicity

    Bengali - 98 %
    tribal groups
    non-Bengali Muslims

  • Religion

    Religion

    Islam - 83 %
    Islam - 83 %
    Hindu - 16 %

  • Literacy rates

    Literacy rates

    72.8%

  • Languages

    Languages

    Bangla
    English

  • Armed Forces

    Armed Forces

    220 950

  • Murders

    Murders

    3 per 100k

  • Alcohol consumption

    Alcohol consumption

    0.2 l/person

  • Smoking

    Smoking

    39.8%

  • Diabetes

    Diabetes

    8.3%

  • Malaria

    Malaria

    1%

  • Tuberculosis

    Tuberculosis

    225 per 100k

  • HIV

    HIV

    0.1%

Economy

  • Industries

    Industries

    jute, cotton, garments, paper, leather, fertilizer, iron and steel, cement, petroleum products

  • Agriculture

    Agriculture

    rice, jute, tea, wheat, sugarcane, potatoes, tobacco, pulses, oilseeds

  • Natural Resources

    Natural Resources

    natural gas, arable land, timber, coal

  • Energy Import

    Energy Import

    16%

  • Natural Resources

    Natural Resources

    natural gas, arable land, timber, coal

  • Renewable Energy

    Renewable Energy

    37%

  • CO2 Emissions

    CO2 Emissions

    73 190kt

  • Ease of Business

    Ease of Business

    177 (Best=1, Worst=200)

  • ATMs per 100k people

    ATMs per 100k people

    7

Back to results

What not to do when visiting Bangladesh

1/19
Marker Bangladesh
Business & Communication

Don't point your finger at people in Bangladesh - it's seen as rude. Gesture with the palm of your hand instead.

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2/19
Marker Bangladesh
Business & Communication

Don't forget handshake is a standard greeting between members of the same sex - although it may feel a bit limp. Women will rarely extend the hand for greeting - always wait and don't initiate it if you're a man. Traditional Muslim greeting here is "Asalamu Alaikum", and the response is "Wa Alaikum Salam".

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3/19
Marker Bangladesh
Street & Behavioral

Don't lose your temper or show emotion in public or when doing business - it may lead to loss of face and meaning loss of dignity and respect. Same applies for using too direct language like saying strong "No" directly to the person.

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Did you know

Did you know?

If children cheat during a test in Bangladesh, they can be sent to prison. There is also a replica of the Taj Mahal in Bangladesh, funded by the millionaire, Asanulla Moni.

4/19
Marker Bangladesh
Street & Behavioral

Don't be surprised with smaller personal space and soft touches in same-sex conversations. Bangladeshis are indirect communicators and communicate in longer contextualised sentences which only make sense when correctly understood the body language.

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5/19
Marker Bangladesh
Business & Communication

Don't cross the hierarchy respect - older people are naturally viewed as wise and are granted respect. Age also dictates how people are addressed - if people are the same age, thy use first names. If the person addressed is older, the person is addressed by first name and a suffix denoting family relationship.

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6/19
Marker Bangladesh
Business & Communication

Don't forget on formal etiquette when doing business - businessmen should be addressed as "Bahadur" (Sir), while women may be addressed as "Begum" (Madam) - it may be used with or without the surname.

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7/19
Marker Bangladesh
Business & Communication

Don't give a "super" gift - the importance of gifts is in the thought rather than the value. It's considered rude to offer a gift which is difficult to reciprocate.

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8/19
Marker Bangladesh
Business & Communication

Don't give alcohol, products containing non-halal meat to Muslims, money and avoid giving flowers of frangipanis (they are used at funerals).

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Did you know

Did you know?

Bangladesh has a higher population than Russia.

9/19
Marker Bangladesh
Street & Behavioral

Don't forget to wash your hands before the meal - many people eat with their hands. Asking for utensils is not impolite - it's okay. Meals are usually with the same sex only.

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10/19
Marker Bangladesh
Street & Behavioral

Don't start eating until the oldest person at the table begins.

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Tell us your experience

Tell us your experience

We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?

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11/19
Marker Bangladesh
Street & Behavioral

Don't use left hand when eating, passing drinks or dishes.

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12/19
Marker Bangladesh
Street & Behavioral

Don't say "No, I'm full" when asked to take more food - it's better to pace yourself to allow for more servings.

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13/19
Marker Bangladesh
Business & Communication

Don't be surprised when you are not able to exchange the local currency (Bangladesh taka) for US dollars or other foreign currency unless you have a ticket to leave Bangladesh.

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14/19
Marker Bangladesh
Street & Behavioral

Don't let the mosquito to bite you - check the best options of prevention to avoid malaria and other mosquito-spread diseases.

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15/19
Marker Bangladesh
Social Events

Don't necessarily use the regional ferry travel in the days around religious festivals and other holidays - they are often dangerously crowded.

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16/19
Marker Bangladesh
Street & Behavioral

Don't forget consensual same-sex sexual activity is criminalised and penalties include up to life imprisonment.

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17/19
Marker Bangladesh
Business & Communication

Don't forget the monsoon season takes place between June-October. It may hamper overland travel and essential services in the country.

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18/19
Marker Bangladesh
Business & Communication

Don't drink tap water in Bangladesh - it's not drinkable.

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Tell us your experience

Tell us your experience

We love to hear from people who have travelled the world and know ‘what not to do’. Why not help other people on their travels?

Submit your story

19/19
Marker Bangladesh
Business & Communication

Don't necessarily drive in Bangladesh - the roads are extremely crowded, poorly maintained and traffic, in general, is poorly maintained.

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