KHMER GREETING STYLE Khmer Sampeah

In Cambodia, greetings are an important part of social interactions and reflect the country's culture of respect and politeness. The traditional Khmer greeting is called the **"Sampeah"** (សំពះ). Here’s how it works:

### **How to Perform the Sampeah:**
1. **Hand Position**: Place your palms together in a prayer-like gesture, with fingers pointing upward.
2. **Hand Placement**: Hold your hands in front of your chest or face, depending on the level of respect.
3. **Bow Slightly**: As you bring your hands together, bow your head slightly to show respect.
4. **Accompanying Words**: Often, people say **"Chumreap Suor"** (ជំរាបសួរ) when greeting someone. This is a formal way to say "hello."

### **Levels of Sampeah:**
The position of the hands and the depth of the bow vary depending on the status or age of the person you are greeting:
- **Peers or Friends**: Hands are placed at chest level.
- **Elders or Teachers**: Hands are placed at mouth level.
- **Monks or Highly Respected Individuals**: Hands are placed at nose or forehead level, with a deeper bow.
- **Royalty or Deities**: Hands are raised to the forehead, with a deep bow.

### **When to Use Sampeah:**
- Greeting someone for the first time.
- Saying goodbye.
- Showing gratitude or apologizing.
- Paying respect to elders, monks, or during religious ceremonies.

### **Other Greeting Customs:**
- **Smiling**: Cambodians often smile during greetings as a sign of friendliness.
- **Addressing with Titles**: Use titles like **"Lok"** (Mr.) or **"Lok Srey"** (Mrs.) followed by the person's name to show respect.
- **Handshakes**: In more formal or business settings, handshakes are becoming more common, especially with foreigners. However, the Sampeah is still widely used.

The Sampeah is a beautiful and respectful way to greet others in Cambodia, reflecting the country's emphasis on humility and kindness.