Cultural Differences in the Maldives

The Maldives is an independent island nation in the Indian Ocean. It is the smallest country in Asia, and the smallest Muslim country by land area. Being influenced by its strategic location in the Indian Ocean, the country has its own characteristics, and its culture might seem different to American culture. In today’s blog, we are going to be mentioning some of these differences in culture between America and the Maldives.

1) Religious Observance

Islam is the state religion in the Maldives, and the government requires people to convert to Islam in order to become citizens, which makes %100 of the population Muslim. Therefore, Islamic customs and laws are strictly observed, such as prohibition of alcohol outside of the resorts and dressing modestly in public areas.

 2) Hospitality

Maldivian hospitality has no limits. And the Maldivian people are known for their generosity and service-mindedness. Their friendliness is inherent in their culture. So, you’ll find that the staff at resorts and hotels go above and beyond to ensure guests have a memorable stay. Besides, even the locals invite tourists to dine, dance, swim, and fish together. 

3) Island Life

The Maldives is made up over 1000 islands, many of which are uninhabited. Life on these islands is significantly different from the bustling city life many of us are used to. There’s a slower pace, with a focus on enjoying the natural beauty of the surroundings.

In short, be prepared to immerse yourself in a culture that is different than yours. Although you may experience culture shock for a few days, we assure you will get used to it in no time and fall in love with the place. You might even want to revisit in the future!

Cr: Voyager Guru