Customs and Gestures
The official language of Mongolia is (surprise!) Mongolian. In most parts of Mongolia, people speak the language of Khalka Mongol: about 90% of the population.
Know that Mongolians gesture and give items to each other with their RIGHT hand. When pointing, they never use their index fingers- this is seen as threatening- instead they use an open hand. Avoid crossing your legs when in the presence of an elder or respected figure, as it is impolite to sit in a way that reveals the sole of the foot.
The polite way to greet people in a formal situation is with a handshake with the right hand. In more casual situations, no physical contact is required: just a simple sain uu (meaning hello). When addressing an elder or person of higher status, adding guai after the person’s name is appropriate.
