StroppyChops wrote:Seriously though, what's an appropriate gift to give neighbours you don't really get on with on the arrival of yet another neighbour?

A crate of condoms?

Rattex sandwiches?

All a religious scam by money/power hunger monks/temples, but they believe in it so I would say go along with their religion as it is their country.

"Religion is the Opium of the People"
Karl Marx
1818-1883

"Everybody's got to believe in something, I believe I'll have another beer."
W.C. Fields
1880-1946

hanno wrote:I like to keep my bases covered so a blessing ceremony is fine. Especially when followed by lots of beers....

You're just a religious opportunist, not that there's anything wrong with that!

I think it is really crucial for Cambodian when moving in a brand new house or renovated house. Even though we don't invite monks to come to bless the house, but we at least offer some fruit and foods. The same as buying new properties like car or motorbike. We, Cambodian believed every houses both new and old have spirits or angles who stay there looking after the house, so before we move in, we need to offer some foods and fruit for them and it is also a sign telling them we move in and hope they will look after us and help us to succeed and be prosperous. My mom called me and told me to offer some fruits when i moved in a new room.

Thanks Samouth. A party without monks sounds good to me -

Well i know nothing about cambodian 'culture', but understand 'bro mat bro mong' child snatchers used to capture wayward children and sell them to be buried beneath the foundations of rich folk's houses, so their young spirits would protect the bricks and mortar.

Is this true, lord voldesamouth?

Kampong Spooner wrote:Well i know nothing about cambodian 'culture', but understand 'bro mat bro mong' child snatchers used to capture wayward children and sell them to be buried beneath the foundations of rich folk's houses, so their young spirits would protect the bricks and mortar.

Is this true, lord voldesamouth?

Sort of make your own ghosts ? Sounds of kids screaming at night. Sounds ideal.

Kampong Spooner wrote:Well i know nothing about cambodian 'culture', but understand 'bro mat bro mong' child snatchers used to capture wayward children and sell them to be buried beneath the foundations of rich folk's houses, so their young spirits would protect the bricks and mortar.

Is this true, lord voldesamouth?

Wow! now i see some good points of getting married with Cambodian girl. You get to know the word that most expats and foreigners have no idea about.

It is actually not true. It is just a made up story which is being narrated from time to time by parents and older people to scare their younger kids and granddaughter and grandson. So that, their young kids will stay at home instead of going out to play with their friend.

Different provinces have different explanation of what is Bromat Bromong. Most older people in my village would say, Bromat Bromong is a very big and tall person who snatch or catch children and sell them to doctors in Vietnam and later those children will have their organs removed. Doctor will use their organs to replace the organs of sick people. I also have heard the explanation of your version.

I can't remember in what thread, we actually talked a lot about this kind of thing.