Hospitality is the defining quality of Uzbek people, who welcome you with warmth and respect. If invited to someone's home, your host won't let you leave without sharing a cup of tea!

Remove your shoes when entering a room, a mosque, or before sitting on the carpets of a tchaïkhana. Dress respectfully when visiting sacred sites. Elders who lead neighborhood councils (makhalla) command great respect throughout Ouzbékistan.

Tea holds a cherished place in Uzbek culture. Bread is never placed upside down—the seeds (sesame or poppy) must face upward. It should never be discarded publicly or thrown on the ground.