Here are a few things you should know:
Don't point at people.
Don't put your bag on the floor. In class, students put their bag on their chair or a hang it from their desk. At restaurants, people put the bag behind their back on their seat.
Do shake a person's hand if you step on their foot.
Do respect older people. They get first dibs for seats on the bus.
Don't toss things like paper or money at another person. Hand it to them directly.
Don't whistle indoors.
Don't sing on the bed.
Do take your shoes off when you enter a home.
Don't put your thumb between your pointer and middle finger, it is like giving the finger in the States.
Do hail a taxi by sticking your arm out toward the road, unlike in the U.S. where we don't hitchhike. Here every car is a potential taxi.
Don't worry when people invade your personal space. That doesn't really exist here : )
Do learn some Mongolian history. It is fascinating and very entwined with the current culture.
So there you have it. Now you just have to book your flight!
