10 Weird Facts About Mongolia You Need To Know

Mongolia is a country bordered by China and Russia.  It is known for its vast and rugged expanses.  Mongolians are majorly nomadic. There are weird facts about Mongolia you won’t believe exist and only in Mongolia can you find such.

The capital is Ulaanbaatar. The capital centres around Chinggis Khaan (Genghis Khan) Square, and it is names after the founder of the Mongol Empire.

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Here are ten other facts about Mongolia that you would find somehow weird.

Population: 2.839 million (2013) World Bank

Capital: Ulaanbaatar

Currency: Mongolian tögrög

President: Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj

Prime minister: Chimed Saikhanbileg

Continent: Asia

System of Government: Democracy

Weird Facts About Mongolia

1. THE TSAGAAN SAR

Formal greeting is called Tsagaan Sar. In it, you roll up your sleeves and extend both arms.

2. HAIR OR FACE SMELLING

In a formal greeting, the older person holds the head of the younger person and smells the hair of face.

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3. GIVING OR TAKING…with respect

Both hands or the right is used to take a thing from or give a thing to especially an elder.  And the sleeves must be rolled up.

4. CIGARETTE TABOO

Two people may light cigarettes from a match.  Three are not allowed to do so.  And lighting a cigarette from a candle is bad luck.

5. IMPOLITE FOOD HABIT

When offered tea or food or dairy products, never say No!  It is impolite.

6. RITUALS OF GIVING/TAKING A DRINK

When offered a drink, never say NO. Take it.  But do not necessarily drink it.  Just dip the tip of your ring finger in it, flick your finger to the four winds, and pass it back.

7. MONGOLIANS ARE TOUCH MONGERS

Mongolians touch a lot.  They touch even strangers they do not know.

8. RAISE FEET WITH CARE

Never let the soles of you feet appear to someone you are sitting close to.  It is offensive.

9. FAST-TRACKED APOLOGY

If you step on, kick, or touch someone else’s feet by mistake, simply give them a quick handshake.  Such a fast way to apologize!

10 THRESHOLD TABOO

Mongolians do not speak to each other across the threshold of the door.  They do not stand on the threshold either.