It is helpful to think of Buddhist monasteries in the West as special "cultural zones." Feel free to ask the stewards or Abbot (at tea time) if you have questions regarding behaviour in a monastery. At Birken we don't expect guests to absorb the refined and culturally-specific etiquette practised at monasteries in Thailand or Sri Lanka.

Nevertheless, it is valuable to bear some general points in mind:

• Clothing worn in a monastery should be "modest": i.e., no tank tops, short shorts or short skirts, please.
• It is considered impolite to point the soles of your feet towards the monks or the altar.
• Theravada monastics avoid making physical contact with people, so the customary Western handshake is not practised. A fine way to greet a monastic is to put your palms together in front of you in what is called anjali, and/or to bow slightly.
• Monks are dedicated to meditation practice, mainly in silence & solitude. Please do not approach them to chat or ask questions as they go about their business during the day. Bring your general questions to tea time, and sign up for an interview (or chat) with the Abbot for personal questions and issues.
• Tea time is an opportunity to ask questions and receive teaching from the Abbot. Please do not engage in conversation with other guests, or expound your own views, at this time.
• During conversations with monastics, it is considered polite to put your hands in anjali if you wish to speak, and wait until a monastic acknowledges you.
• When walking with the monastics, it is considered polite to let them go first.

Many important points are covered in the document: Discipline and Conventions of Theravada Buddhist Renunciate Communities (published at Tisarana Buddhist Monastery and used by Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in California and all major Ajahn Chah-lineage monasteries throughout the world).