Etiquette for the Maldives

The picturesque and relaxing island nation of the Maldives. Before eating the delicious local and fresh foods, please wash your hands in a basin provided before you start your meal and after if you have eaten food with your hands.

The Maldives is an archipelagic country in South Asia, a string of atolls scattered across the Indian Ocean and officially called the Republic of Maldives. The word "Maldives" means "the islands of Male"; incidentally, Maldives's capital is Male. Male is pronounced as Malé with the infliction oné. The name Maldives comes from the Sanskrit word "maladvipa", meaning "garland of islands", which is absolutely true. The islands are strewn across the ocean like sparkling aquamarine stones.

History reveals that the first settlers arrived in the Maldives around the 5th century BCE, likely from Sri Lanka, South India and East Africa. It is said that from the 12th century Buddhism was practiced until Arab traders brought Islam and now worshiped till today. The In the 16th century, the Portuguese briefly established themselves then it became a British protectorate then in 1965 on behalf of the Sultan, Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir Rannabandeyri Kilegefan, assisted in gaining independence.

Arriving at the airport, you are greeted with a relaxed atmosphere from officials; once finished, bags are scanned, and many are greeted with a surprise request to relinquish their duty-free alcohol products and given a slip to pick up on departure. For many foreigners, this is a 'welcome' learning experience to the country's culture. Once you are out of the customs, you are met by the magical sight of taxi planes and boats bobbing up and down on a perfect blue-green sea. Malé and Hullamalé are connected by a bridge with red double-decker buses slowly making their way over and back.

While being escorted to your hotel of choice, you will see women and children dressed in Western, Indian and/or niqab, hijab, chador to dupatta. You may find that your hotel hosts are from places such as Bangladesh, India and local Maldivian at the helm. Maldives is certainly relaxed everywhere you go; the people are tolerant and understanding of those coming to their shores to discover island paradise. The main beach area dress code for Westerns is modest dressing leaving bikinis, bathers and “Cardi B” style outfits in the suitcase for your island resort getaway.

Food is a mixture of Arabic, Southern Indian, Sri Lankan and Western. I have personally tried traditional Maldivian food at a restaurant recommended by a local and heartily recommend the cuisine. You will find that locals love to patronise cafes and restaurants and sit for hours talking to friends and family. Lots of laughter and talking fills the space making for a happy environment.

Before eating the delicious local and fresh foods, please wash your hands in a basin provided before you start your meal and after if you have eaten food with your hands. On the local menu, you will find flavorful dishes such as garudhiya which is a fragrant fish soup, masihuni made for breakfast, shredded smoked tuna, grated coconut, lemon and chilli, eaten with roshi (roti bread) to sweet or handulu bondibai, rice pudding eaten during Eid. Most of these foods are commonly eaten by right-hand roti or rice. These carbohydrates are used as a carrier for the main meals and are well mixed together with the hands.

If you love bacon in the mornings with your eggs, due to the country being an Islamic republic, pork will not be found. Instead, you will offered chicken and beef alternatives. Resorts away from the main islands will sell alcoholic beverages.

Maldivian culture adheres to the Islamic principles of the family unit, and tight-knit bonds within extended families further reinforce this respect. You will be met with locals and hired help with poker faces; it is a South Asian tendency not to smile; however, when you break the ice when asking for directions or advice, you will be met with kindness. Etiquette is that speaking to locals on the street, woman to woman and man to man is better.

If you are fortunate enough to be invited to a Maldivian household, don’t forget to remove your shoes and greet your hosts. Women will greet verbally rather than shake hands, whereas men will use the hand-to-heart sign, and the general greeting is “As-Salaam-Alaikum" and "Wa-Alaikum-Salaam" which means “May peace be upon you." Before you arrive, purchase fruit or a gift you brought from your home country. To break the ice and get a conversation started, inquire about how the family is doing. When you see children, ask their names and ages to show interest and avoid patting them on the head. If you have accidentally bumped into someone, apologise quickly. When eating, you may be invited to sit down on the floor. If that is the case, keep the soles of your feet facing the wall, as it is considered unclean.

I hope these tips help your stay, or next stay, in the Marvelous Maldives, relaxing and fun.

For many years, Etiquipedia contributor, Elizabeth Soos, has had a keen interest in cultural customs. With her European background and extensive travel, Soos developed an interest in the many forms of respect and cultural expectations in the countries she has visited. With her 20 years’ experience in customer service within private international companies based in Australia, and her lifetime interest in manners and research, she decided to branch out into the field of etiquette and deportment. Through her self-directed studies and by completing the Train-The-Trainer’s course offered by Emma Dupont’s School of Etiquette in London and by Guillaume Rue de Bernadac at Academie de Bernadac based in Paris and Shanghai, she founded Auersmont School of Etiquette. Elizabeth is currently traveling throughout India and brushing up on her Hindi.

 🍽Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia