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Home » Bhutan » There Is No Cultural Appropriation In Bhutan…
BhutanTrip Reports

There Is No Cultural Appropriation In Bhutan…

Matthew Klint Posted onOctober 12, 2024October 12, 2024 48 Comments

a man standing in front of a building

Bhutan was my favorite stop on my extended trip to Asia and one of the most beautiful countries I have ever visited. Do you know what else I loved? There is no idea of cultural appropriation in Bhutan.

Cultural Appropriation Is Not A Thing In Bhutan

Without getting into a debate on cultural appropriation, it’s generally not wise these days to wear “ethnic” clothing or hairstyles unless you are a member of that ethnicity. Using Native American tribes for sports teams, wearing dreadlocks if you’re not black, or wearing “stereotypical” clothing to a costume party (for example, donning a “geisha” outfit if you are not Japanese) are all considered cultural faux pas.

But in Bhutan…a Buddhist kingdom of less than one million people…there is little diversity in terms of wardrobe and tourists are expected to comply.

While in the capital city of Thimphu, I visited the Dechencholing Palace and the Changangkha Lhakhang Temple. I planned to wear my “Western” clothes…but was told I needed to wear a Gho, a bathrobe-like garment, belted at the waist with a handwoven belt known as a Kera and worn with knee-high socks and dress shoes. Underneath the Gho is a Tego, a white jacket with long, folded-back cuffs.

That’s what all men wear in Bhutan…

Of course I did not have those items in my wardrobe, but the kind folks at the Le Meridien in Thimphu were happy to loan me a set and even sent up one of the hotel associates to help get me dressed. I bought some knee-high socks at a clothing store across the street from the hotel.

a man taking a selfie in a bathroom
I haven’t gained weight! It’s roomy becuase the the pouch around your stomach is like a big pocket that you carry things in!

Admitedly, I felt a little silly wearing this since I am not Bhutanese. But far from being disrepectful, I was told this is a sign of respect and received several complements for looking like a “real” Bhuthanse man.

And I have to say that was one thing I loved about the country. I was not treated like a foreigner as I am in so-many places (even, more recently, as a Californian in Illnois), but like a member of the family. There are few places in the world…Iran being another one…where I enjoyed such warm hospitality from the locals.

I really liked that about Bhutan. I liked that I was expected to dress the part and it was no big deal…no phony ourage like if I had the audacity to wear a featerhed bonnet or a kimono here in LaLa Land.

a man standing in front of a building


> Read More: I’m In Awe: Bhutan Is A Magical Kingdom

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About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

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48 Comments

  1. Dave Edwards Reply
    October 12, 2024 at 1:29 pm

    I see it as the exact opposite, expecting you to wear their style of clothes. That is pure racism to me, discrimination against you for wearing your everyday clothes.

    I wonder what would have happened to you if you didn’t comply with these savages expectations? And you wonder why I complain about these 3rd world sh#tholes? They should be appreciative of us coming there and spending our dollars in their country.

    As for the LA comparison, we must visit different parts of the city because I saw every conceivable type of dress there, and really didn’t think much of it. I even ran into Buddhist Monks trying to offer me good luck bracelets.

    • MFK Reply
      October 12, 2024 at 1:34 pm

      Good grief. This is why you should moderate your comment section.

    • Descartes Reply
      October 12, 2024 at 5:51 pm

      Bhutan would be one of the last countries I would describe as a “sh#thole”. Clean, pristine Himalayan air, no pollution, no crime. They would be perfectly fine with no foreign visitors; in fact that was the case until very recently.

    • JW Reply
      October 12, 2024 at 6:44 pm

      It’s precisely for such self entitled pricks like you that the word racism was coined. Respect is such a fundamental element of morality that we take for granted today and herein lies a prime example.

  2. MFK Reply
    October 12, 2024 at 1:31 pm

    “Without getting into a debate on cultural appropriation,” he says while making his thoughts on said debate known with statements such as “There is no cultural appropriation in Bhutan” and “phony outrage.” ‍♂️

    Tourists are not expected nor required to wear a gho or kira while in Bhutan, but simply need to wear modest clothing when visiting dzongs and such. The Bhutanese people aren’t even required to wear them at all times, just in government buildings, schools and certain other occasions.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 12, 2024 at 1:37 pm

      Oh, I reject the very concept of cultural appropriation…that’s perfectly obvious. I’m just not going to spend time defending that position here.

      And I was told to wear what I wore…FWIW. I didn’t mind, though.

      • Bob S Reply
        October 13, 2024 at 10:25 pm

        I’d still prefer more torso/sauna pics, Matthew. 🙂

    • Aaron Reply
      October 12, 2024 at 4:45 pm

      It does take a certain level of privilege to find the outrage to cultural appropriation as being phony.

      • Chi Hsuan Reply
        October 12, 2024 at 11:26 pm

        STFU Aaron

        • Aaron Reply
          October 13, 2024 at 4:02 am

          Make me, you worthless piece of bovine fecal matter.

          • Chi Hsuan
            October 13, 2024 at 6:02 pm

            Wow nasty. Your MAGA daddy is going to wash your mouth out with his custard for that one.

          • Aaron
            October 14, 2024 at 11:27 am

            You seem obsessed with me, gay people, and now MAGA daddies…I think we are all understanding who you are a bit better now.

      • Uri Reply
        October 13, 2024 at 1:23 am

        Yep. It’s the level of privilege of being a human being entitled to an opinion.

        Some racists believe White People are below this level of privilege.

        • Aaron Reply
          October 13, 2024 at 4:05 am

          Well, seeing as much of a racist you are, you might know about that.

          • Chi Hsuan
            October 13, 2024 at 6:03 pm

            STFU Aaron

          • Aaron
            October 14, 2024 at 11:28 am

            Lol We all know how impotent your threats are.

          • Chi Hsuan
            October 14, 2024 at 5:02 pm

            No threat, just advising you to keep your MAGAG cockhole shut before you give your dumb ass away completely.

          • Aaron
            October 14, 2024 at 7:08 pm

            Damn, your projected fantasies on me just get dirtier and dirtier…how closeted are you?

  3. Buddy M. Reply
    October 12, 2024 at 2:19 pm

    Is smiling not allowed in Bhutan either? You have the look of someone who really does not want to have his picture taken.

    • NK Reply
      October 12, 2024 at 2:31 pm

      His snobby nature to look down upon other people doesn’t allow him to do that.

  4. Leslie Reply
    October 12, 2024 at 2:40 pm

    You need someone to help you get dressed now?!?!? Geez.

  5. JC Reply
    October 12, 2024 at 3:10 pm

    Matt you rocking the outfit.

  6. derek Reply
    October 12, 2024 at 4:17 pm

    I was going to ask if one can buy that here but, on second thought, grocery shopping in that looks like a bath robe. I try to dress somewhat like the locals when traveling.

  7. Lukas Reply
    October 12, 2024 at 8:14 pm

    If you love hospitality, you’ll LOVE Oman. Have you ever been? If not, the people there are absolutely amazing! I had many fantastic experiences just travelling around such as going to buy a tea at a small tea shop in the middle of nowhere and the men sitting at a table there invited me to sit with them and talk and they even paid for my tea! Very genuine and lovely. Oman is among my top 5 countries in the world along with Bhutan and Omani hospitality is one of the reasons.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      October 12, 2024 at 11:56 pm

      Have been, just for a day to Muscat. Would love to return.

      • Lukas Reply
        October 14, 2024 at 10:02 am

        Two words – Wadi Hawir. It’s NOT at all touristy, when I was there it just just my friend and I. The whole wadi to ourselves (plus our guide + driver). It’s not well known, so you’ll have to research it a bit (or contact me for info of the driver who took us there). One of the most serene experiences in the world.

  8. Chi Hsuan Reply
    October 12, 2024 at 11:25 pm

    “Using Native American tribes for sports teams, wearing dreadlocks if you’re not black, or wearing “stereotypical” clothing to a costume party (for example, donning a “geisha” outfit if you are not Japanese) are all considered cultural faux pas.”

    Actually Matthew, it’s only whiny woke (and usually white) wankers that get all tizzy over that. Most people don’t care. It must have been refreshing therefore to visit another country without the likes of those losers to bitch about everything that triggers them.

    I’m sure that femboy powerbottom Aaron would hate it there.

    • Aaron Reply
      October 13, 2024 at 4:03 am

      You could not be more wrong in just about everything you said.

      And still obsessed with me? You’re almost like a stalker, and just as deranged.

      • Chi Hsuan Reply
        October 13, 2024 at 6:04 pm

        STFU Aaron

        • Aaron Reply
          October 14, 2024 at 11:30 am

          Better if you go and hugged a landmine.

    • GUWonder Reply
      October 13, 2024 at 12:00 pm

      Have you considered that many of us aren’t into your sexual fetishes about one or more of the commenters here and that you’re sharing your sexual fetishes here might be TMI for most here? 😉

      • Chi Hsuan Reply
        October 13, 2024 at 6:01 pm

        Ball-gagged pig creature Aaron isn’t my sexual fantasy.

        My sexual fantasy is playing hide the salami with a harem of young asian men.

        • Aaron Reply
          October 14, 2024 at 11:29 am

          Your (unhealthy) obsession with me belies what you just said.

          • Chi Hsuan
            October 14, 2024 at 5:03 pm

            STFU Aaron

          • Aaron
            October 14, 2024 at 7:09 pm

            Lol impotent little closeted troll.

          • Matthew Klint
            October 14, 2024 at 7:20 pm

            I have no idea why you occupy so much of his mind, but I don’t think he is closeted!

  9. D.M. Reply
    October 13, 2024 at 12:19 am

    I find cultural appropriation a curious phenomenon. As one who lived in other countries before the author of this article was born, it was seen as a compliment to wear their clothing when you lived there in my day. Many foreigners bought the clothing which I might add helped the business of locals who were pleased that you bought their clothing. I appreciate the artful embroidery and detail that was crafted in the garments.

    • Aaron Reply
      October 14, 2024 at 11:30 am

      Wearing the clothing of people in their own country in a respectful way doesn’t exactly fall under the definition of cultural appropriation.

  10. Kevin Reply
    October 13, 2024 at 3:26 am

    Cultural appropriation is touted as a grave offense by the very college-age white females who, after four years of seminar classes and latte-fueled debates, have emerged convinced that their favorite yoga classes and taco nights are actually acts of colonialism. It’s as if these scholars, armed with the latest jargon from their gender studies courses, believe they hold the moral high ground while sipping overpriced matcha lattes, oblivious to the irony of being the very consumers they decry.

    Eff them, hope they enjoy thier cats.

  11. James Reply
    October 13, 2024 at 7:54 am

    I’m curious whether you borrowed or bought the clothes, and where? Does the hotel conceirge help?

    • James Reply
      October 13, 2024 at 7:55 am

      Re -read again — sorry you covered this.

  12. Moe Reply
    October 13, 2024 at 9:03 am

    Did you see the Dali Llama?

    • GUWonder Reply
      October 13, 2024 at 11:57 am

      I have seen him in India. His base in exile is India.

  13. GUWonder Reply
    October 13, 2024 at 9:20 am

    “Cultural appropriation” isn’t really a problem for tourists across anywhere in South Asia. For example, in India, it’s rather typical for European and European-American visitors attending relatives and friends’ weddings to dress up in local attire. Also done by JD Vance for his Indian ceremonies.

  14. Substitute Steve Reply
    October 13, 2024 at 10:55 am

    Are women expected to wear certain clothing like you were?

    • Brent Reply
      October 13, 2024 at 11:23 am

      Tourists are not expected to wear traditional clothing. We went last May and did not come across one tourist dressed up. So either he’s making it up and dressed up for fun or he had a tour guide that didn’t like him.

      • Brent's Real Name Is Karen Reply
        October 13, 2024 at 6:08 pm

        Or maybe they figured you could not fit into the clothing, princess…

  15. Dave W. Reply
    October 13, 2024 at 2:31 pm

    I never much thought I’d like to visit there. The clothing issue guarantees I’ll never go.

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