(CNN) -- Hello!
Welcome to the Internet. It's a big place, so let me show you around.You're approaching Oversharing Pass, where residents routinely post too much information. The Facebook Gorge and Twitter Triangle are particularly nefarious time-sucks. Restraint is advised.Up ahead is Hyperbole Junction, which is the Worst. Spot. Ever. We recommend that you maintain an even keel and stay to the center; the extreme left and right can be dangerous.And over there is the infamous Lair of Sociopaths, the home of trolls and loners who mercilessly mock everyone who enters their territory. Watch your step: They may trip you up and you'll fall into the Chasm of Lulz.Our world isn't all dangerous, of course. You may visit Squee City, where images of cute cats and laughing babies fill the landscape. You'll also meet countless kind strangers, hilarious raconteurs and hard-working fact-checkers. They make it all worthwhile.Hmm. Maybe it would be easier if you had a guide -- you know, some rules to help you find your way.What, you didn't know there are rules of the Internet?Of course there are rules. How do you think we maintain order around here?A parody of rulesThat's a joke.But there really are some rules of the Internet -- even if they, too, began as kind of a joke.According to the site KnowYourMeme.com, the Rules began around 2006 as a guide for the Internet collective Anonymous and emerged on the old Encyclopedia Dramatica, a bawdy meme catalog. Soon a version emerged on 4chan, an online bulletin board where most users post anonymously, says Jamie Cohen, director of web/digital media at Hofstra University's School of Communication."Chris Poole (4chan's founder) kind of designed it, kind of like a Netiquette rules," he says, describing the unspoken code of conduct that lubricates Internet discourse. (Poole has attributed the rules to Gaia Online, a role-playing community.)But the rules of the Internet deliberately mocked many of those conventions. The self-reflexive parody fit perfectly with its community's attitude, points out Anthony Rotolo, a professor at Syracuse University's School of Information Studies."These jokes are meant to comment on something happening in the world," he says. "Later they get accepted as truisms or become a meme."The absurdity has been reflected even in the supposed number of rules. Though the best-known first version claimed there were 50 rules, only 18 were listed. Number 1 was initially "Do not talk about Rules 2-33"; no Rules 2-33 were on the list.The sarcastic attitude was reinforced by the kicker found on Encyclopedia Dramatica. It was a parody of Wikipedia's stub language: "This article is crap. You can help by completely re-writing it."'Fight Club' and Monty PythonVery quickly, the lists started multiplying and expanding, liberally borrowing from comedy, Web culture and math-science tropes. On one list, a few were designated by complex numbers and mathematical symbols. Some were observations; others were directives.
Some have traced the Internet rules to Chris Poole, the founder of 4chan.Two rules were taken from "Fight Club": "You do not talk about 4chan (or "/b/," 4chan's random, free-wheeling bulletin board) and "You DO NOT talk about 4chan." One version of Rule 6 stated "There is no Rule 6," which is from a Monty Python sketch. Rule 42, "Always bring a towel," was drawn from Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" series. (If you have to ask, read the books.) "Profit," Rule 49, came from "South Park."Other rules went the reverse direction and became part of mainstream culture. Rule 34 -- "If it exists, there is porn of it" -- is likely the most famous. But there's also "Pics or it didn't happen" (Rule 30), "For every given male character, there is a female version of that character; conversely for every given female character, there is a male version of that character" (Rule 63) and, of course, the corollary to Rule 34 -- "If no porn of it exists at the moment, it will be made" (Rule 35).Most retained a sense of humor, riffing off established rules and occasionally ending with a giggly "No exceptions."But a handful were, and remain, as serious as a judge -- notably the three directly about Anonymous (commonly Rules 3-5):- We are Anonymous.- We are legion.- We do not forgive, we do not forget.The overall Internet rules may have started as a joke, but such ominous language from Anonymous speaks to some of the paradoxes of the Web:Rules? Why do we need some stinkin' rules?After all, rules can be helpful -- or divisive. They can create community -- or subvert it.Even Anonymous, the activist group itself, cuts both ways, says Rotolo. When it hacked the extremist Westboro Baptist Church, many people cheered. But when it goes after less unpopular targets, some cry vigilantism.Cohen says that the rules themselves try to have it both ways. They're funny until someone gets hurt.They "play more of a game type of role. They can be bent or broken or cheated or moved around, as you would in any game that has no physical reaction," he says. "That doesn't take into account ever the result of real people being affected by this -- such as teenagers, children, anybody who's seeing things that they shouldn't."He adds, "There's a lot of rules in there that work for (the creators) more than anyone else. Until they become victims of their own thing, they don't know how powerful the rules are."Evolving from the Wild West Of course, the Internet isn't that old, and we're still in its Wild West era in many ways. As the technology evolves from a handful of hackers on Usenet bulletin boards to billions of users on officially sponsored sites, the customs -- the rules -- of the Web will evolve with it.But we're not talking about the kinds of changes that your family makes to the rules of Monopoly (no, Free Parking is NOT for the pool of money acquired via Chance and Community Chest). We're talking something more expansive: All the established customs of our carbon-based life forms, making way for the instantaneous and virtual modes of silicon-based electronics.Who knows what new rules may be written?"When you're in the midst of social change, it's impossible to determine where it's going," says Peter S. Vogel, a former programmer who's now a Dallas-based attorney. "And I think we are in the greatest social change in the history of humans, because there are no boundaries of geography or time."We haven't even sorted out what happens when the differences in local culture meet global technology. Bruce Umbaugh, a philosophy professor at Webster University in St. Louis who teaches a course on philosophy and technology, argues that not all parts of the world are as tolerant or open-minded as Western democracies.There's a lot of rules in there that work for (the creators) more than anyone else.Jamie Cohen, Hofstra University"There are a lot of other places in the world that are actively using the technology of the Internet to control the free communication among citizens, and to identify critics of the government and hurt them," he says. "We need to be mindful in what we advocate from our perspective that the tools that are implemented on the Net are tools for the global Net."In other words, citizens of other countries already face actual, enforceable rules -- unlike the folkways established by Web users in the West. Witness the frictions of the Arab Spring, or the restrictions of societies such as North Korea.It's the kind of perspective that provides a different context for the issues raised by a libertarian, anything-goes Internet. It's hard enough to stop "Star Wars" comment boards from devolving into flamebaiting, meme-generating files of NSFW Yodas.So for now, we're still making our way through the Series of Tubes, and nobody knows where the boundaries lie. We joke, we grimace and we marvel at the creativity of the hive mind. The Internet is a big place, and countless cultures have set up residence. Eventually, what is now humor may lose its zing; what are now customs may become laws.Will the rules ever become The Rules? Maybe some future generation will figure out the true guideposts of Internet life, and the singularity will be upon us.Nah. It'll never happen.What did we miss? Share your rules for the internet below in the comments. We'll feature some of the best on CNN./* push in config for this share instance */cnn_shareconfig.push({"id" : "cnn_sharebar2","url" : "http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/15/tech/internet-rules/index.html","title" : "Meet the Rules of the Internet"});
View the original article here
EDITION: INTERNATIONAL U.S. MÉXICO ARABIC TV: CNNi CNN en Español Set edition preference Sign up Log in Home Video World U.S. Africa Asia Europe Latin America Middle East Business World Sport Entertainment Tech Travel iReport /* STORY PAGE SPECIFIC CSS */.cnn_stryspccvrgehdr { background:#fff url('http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.e/img/3.0/mosaic/bg_speccov_hdr.gif') 0px 0px repeat-x; }.cnn_stryspcvh1 { position:relative; height:74px;background:transparent url('http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/.element/ssi/story/3.0/banner/intl.global.office.inc/global.office.jpg') 50% 0px no-repeat;overflow:hidden; }.cnn_stryspcvh2 { font:bold 10px/12px arial;color:#666;padding:0 0 2px 0; }.cnn_stryspcvh3 { font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight:bold; font-size:18px; line-height:21px; }.cnn_stryspcvh4 { position:absolute; z-index:1000; float:left;margin:30px 0 0 10px;display:inline; }.cnn_stryspcvh5 { float:right;margin:30px 10px 0 0;display:inline;text-align:right; }.cnn_stryspcvh20 { padding:0 0 2px 0; }.cnn_stryspccvrgebot { height:3px; background:#e6e6e6; }.cnn_stryspccvh6 { width:100%; height:74px; text-align:center; left:0; }.cnn_stryspccvh6 a { display:block; margin:0 auto; width:223px; height:74px; }Part of complete coverage onGlobal OfficeSHARE THISPrintEmailMore sharingRedditStumbleUponDelicious/* push in config for this share instance */cnn_shareconfig.push({"id" : "cnn_sharebar1","url" : "http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/20/business/co-working-spaces-asia/index.html","title" : "Spaced out: As rents rise, cool shared work spaces boom"});Spaced out: As rents rise, cool shared work spaces boomBy Vanessa Ko, for CNNSeptember 22, 2012 -- Updated 1437 GMT (2237 HKT)if (typeof cnnArticleGallery=="undefined"){var cnnArticleGallery={};if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=[];}}var expGalleryPT00=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGalleryPT00.setImageCount(9);expGalleryPT00.setAdsRefreshCount(3);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("A different working environment", 1);.cnn_html_slideshow_metadata > .cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:'>>';font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:#004276;outline:medium none}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}
European cities have embraced the co-working concept. Zonaspace (pictured) in St Petersburg, Russia, is said to be the largest co-working place in the country.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":true,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":1,"title":"A different working environment"}
This space, located in a high-rise office building, includes a large outdoor terrace.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"The Hive, Hong Kong"}
CoCoon occupies a sprawling14,000 square feet and has a ping-pong table and meditation room.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"CoCoon, Hong Kong"}
As with most co-working space, Xindanwei offers open working areas as well as enclosed offices.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"Xindanwei, Shanghai"}
This space, which includes a small library, was converted from garages.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"OpenSource Cafe, Tokyo"}
Citizen Space, founded in 2005, is seen as the first co-working space that spawned a global trend.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"Citizen Space, San Francisco"}
Gangplank opened its first collaborative space in Chandler five years ago and has since established two more branches in Arizona.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":7,"title":"Gangplank, Chandler, Arizona"}
This striking space is a co-working studio specifically for those in the creative industries.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":8,"title":"Jellyfish Cartel, Los Angeles"}
This space is in the neighborhood of Kreuzberg, a center of creative culture in Berlin.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":9,"title":"BCN, Berlin"}HIDE CAPTIONA different working environmentThe Hive, Hong KongCoCoon, Hong KongXindanwei, ShanghaiOpenSource Cafe, TokyoCitizen Space, San FranciscoGangplank, Chandler, ArizonaJellyfish Cartel, Los AngelesBCN, Berlin<<<
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9>>>Event.observe(window,'load',function(){if(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined'){cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image,"Spaced out: As rents rise, cool shared work spaces boom");}});STORY HIGHLIGHTSCo-working spaces widespread in U.S., Europe and making headway in AsiaThese places court mostly people in 20s, 30s working on projects solo or in small teamsFreelancing catching on in Asia, where people traditionally work for large corporationsMost co-working spaces seek to build community and encouraging entrepreneurship
Co-working: Like your office but better But Chan says not to underestimate the practical advantages of having actual office space in Hong Kong, where high rent makes a permanent office out of reach for many who are just starting out. "If you want to meet a client, you want to have the space. It's a physical location to gather people," he says.Thought to have first started in San Francisco in 2005 with Citizen Space, co-working spaces are now widespread in the U.S. and Europe and are making headway in Asia, courting mostly people in their 20s and 30s working on projects solo or in small teams.There are now dozens of such places in Tokyo, and a handful have opened in Shanghai and Hong Kong. The congested cities seem ready-made for co-working, with cramped apartments that could make working from home unpleasant -- and unimpressive for investors or clients.And going it alone is just starting to catch on in Asia, where people traditionally strive to work for large corporations."It's only becoming acceptable to take the risk of starting tech start-ups or being a freelancer," says Constant Tedder, the British founder of The Hive in Hong Kong, a co-working space that opened in May.The cost of going to The Hive ranges from $40, for a day pass, to over $750 per month for a dedicated desk. Tedder sees the demand throughout Asia and is looking to expand to other cities in the region.For freelancers, who often work in creative industries like design, stuffy cubicles just do not cut it, Tedder said."There's definitely this emerging segment of people who don't want to project a corporate image, but they want a comfortable space to work," he says.The Hive touches all the hallmarks that make co-working an attractive alternative to sitting in a coffee shop with a laptop: The space is open, desks equipped with power outlets are meant for sharing, members each get their own lockers, and enclosed meeting rooms provide privacy when needed. And, it hosts informative talks and networking events.Most co-working spaces have a heavy component of building community and encouraging entrepreneurship -- some operators say breaking even is nice but not the primary goal.At CoCoon, which occupies a sprawling 14,000 square feet and has a ping-pong table and meditation room, members must pass an application process, showing that they have something to offer the co-working community, whether it be a solid start-up idea, programming skills, mentorship or investment potential."We think Hong Kong can use another place to foster entrepreneurs, and we hope talent can collaborate amongst themselves," says Erica Ma, one of CoCoon's founders.CoCoon charges $125 per month, which is unusually low, but the founders see the program as a kind of social enterprise to support start-ups and smaller businesses.The space organizes regular events, including a recent talk on brand licensing and BarCamp, a technology conference that originated in the U.S.Entrepreneurs say in the daily grind, which often means hours sitting in front of a laptop, it helps to know that others are doing the same thing. Yet people working on Internet start-ups do not get much support, as the field is still seen as unconventional in Hong Kong.So for Jah Ying Chung, who is starting launchpilots.org, a site that helps young people get involved in social causes, going to CoCoon provides motivation."It's different when you're always seeing people doing stuff that's cool. It's a big impetus," she says.0Comments »SHARE THISPrintEmailMore sharingRedditStumbleUponDelicious/* push in config for this share instance */cnn_shareconfig.push({"id" : "cnn_sharebar2","url" : "http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/20/business/co-working-spaces-asia/index.html","title" : "Spaced out: As rents rise, cool shared work spaces boom"});var OB_permalink='http://edition.cnn.com'+location.pathname;var OB_langJS='http://widgets.outbrain.com/lang_en.js';var OB_widgetId='AR_1';var OB_Template="cnnedition";if (typeof(OB_Script)!='undefined'){OutbrainStart();}else{var OB_Script=true;var str="cnnad_createAd("708083","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_international&cnn_intl_pagetype=mmst&cnn_intl_position=607x95_adlinks&cnn_intl_rollup=world_business&page.allowcompete=no¶ms.styles=fs","95","607");cnnad_registerSpace(708083,607,95);
Part of complete coverage on Global OfficeSmile like you mean itOctober 29, 2012 -- Updated 0256 GMT (1056 HKT)
If you find yourself giving off a sunnier disposition when your boss is smiling, it might be because your brain is wired to do so.Working for the 'good guys'November 8, 2012 -- Updated 0325 GMT (1125 HKT)
Employees want to work for the good guys and if companies want to attract and keep top talent, corporate social responsibility matters.Can coaching kick-start your career?November 2, 2012 -- Updated 1249 GMT (2049 HKT)
Bill Clinton had a coach, Oprah Winfrey used one to help her get to the top of her career and, of course, top sports stars have them. Spaced outSeptember 22, 2012 -- Updated 1437 GMT (2237 HKT)
Co-working spaces are on the rise in Asia where rents, and a desire to collaborate, are high. Tech to change your life
From 'gameification' to virtual reality Google glasses, check out the top 10 tech coming to an office near you soon. Wacky workplace novelsSeptember 14, 2012 -- Updated 0413 GMT (1213 HKT)
In 2009, Lu Qi, an author of martial arts novels, published his first book on a slightly different type of combat sport: office politics in China. Quiz: Negotiate office politicsAugust 31, 2012 -- Updated 0311 GMT (1111 HKT)
What to do with gossiping colleagues, smelly lunches and when the boss has your number. China's culture of work August 27, 2012 -- Updated 0450 GMT (1250 HKT)
Perplexing power structures and Confucianism could be stifling China's creative businesses. Improve your office life
From dogs and plants to turning off your devices, we highlight eight ways to make office life better. 'Generation Y' to dominateAugust 21, 2012 -- Updated 0621 GMT (1421 HKT)
It could be out with old meeting rooms and in with new social spaces, as Generation Y is set to transform the way we work in the next ten years. The world's coolest officesAugust 10, 2012 -- Updated 0930 GMT (1730 HKT)
View the gallery of some of the worl's most spectacular and wacky offices. Is office design the key to success?August 10, 2012 -- Updated 1442 GMT (2242 HKT)
in the 1980s, more than a sharp suit or a beautiful secretary, having a nice office meant you had arrived. Is it stil the case?Quiz: Business jargonAugust 10, 2012 -- Updated 0724 GMT (1524 HKT)
You're in your 'swim lane' and the 'tiger team' is on the way. Are you stumped or ready for business?
.cnn_strycrcntrnwsp .cnn_mtpmore { padding:10px 0px 1px 0px; }.cnn_stryccnwsp2 .cnn_stryccnwsp3 { width:100% }Most PopularToday's five most popular storiesCaribou Coffee to close 80 stores, rebrand 88 othersHalle Berry on pregnancy: 'Biggest surprise of my life'Hans Zimmer reflects on scoring 'The Bible''Mickey Mouse Club' original Annette Funicello diesNYPD: For this 'Cookie Monster,' it was 'Me want money!' 
Home | Video | World | U.S. | Africa | Asia | Europe | Latin America | Middle East | Business | World Sport | Entertainment | Tech | Travel | iReport Tools & Widgets | RSS | Podcasts | Blogs | CNN Mobile | My Profile | E-mail Alerts | CNN Radio | CNN Shop | Site map | CNN Partner Hotels CNN en ESPAÑOL | CNN Chile | CNN México | ??????? | ??? | Türkçe 
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of service | Privacy guidelines | Ad choices
| Advertise with us | License our content | About us | Contact us | Work for us | Help CNN TV | HLN | Transcripts cnnad_ugsync();var cnn_edtnswtchver="edition";msQueueManager.init('requestFrame',ms_blankURL);$$('.cnn_sectbincntnt2 ul').each(function(bulletlist,idx){while(bulletlist.getHeight()>145){bulletlist.childElements().last().remove();}});if(ms_isLoggedIn()){CNN_setCookie('CNN_member',true,854400,'/',document.domain);}var jsmd=_jsmd.init(),pageURL=location.href.toLowerCase();if (pageURL.indexOf("/.element/ssi/ads.iframes/")==-1&&pageURL.indexOf("/doubleclick/dartiframe.html")==-1&&pageURL.indexOf("/search/")==-1){if (_jsmd.plugin.gQuery("refresh")){jsmd.trackMetrics("dynamic-autoRefresh","autorefresh","cnn-autorefresh");} else if (_jsmd.plugin.gQuery("is_LR")){} else if (cnn_metadata.template_type_content!="gallery"){jsmd.send();}}/*globals CNN_CB, cnnsocial *//* configure apis to load and specify their callbacks */cnnsocial.setapiconfig([{'site' : 'facebook','success' : function() {/* trigger connect-cnnsocial.js calls */window.cnn_fbAsyncInit();}},{ 'site' : 'twitter' }]);/* add the multiple config instance for sharebars */cnnsocial.share.setconfig(cnn_shareconfig);$j(document).ready(function () {'use strict';loadChartbeat("business", "Vanessa Ko, for CNN");CNN.initFlipperTicker();/* initialize cnnsocial */cnnsocial.init();});
Along the Andaman Sea, Ngapali Beach is Myanmar's top beach resort area. Much of the surrounding countryside remains undeveloped. Best of all, the sunsets are killer. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"Myanmar has fantastic beaches "}
Poor condition of railway tracks means carriages get shaken about. This makes for a bouncy ride, but trains are still a great way to see the country. Myanmar's trains are slow and have a reputation for running late. The most reliable route, Yangon to Mandalay, takes about 16 hours, assuming no delays.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"The trains are seriously bumpy"}
A typical Burmese meal includes steamed rice, fish, meat, vegetables and soup and all the dishes arrive at the same time. Locals use their fingertips to mold rice into a small ball and then mix it with various dishes.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"The food is delicious"}
Myanmar has lots of Internet cafes. The connections are just brutally slow. Mobile phones are more popular than the Internet. In June, US$15 SIM cards for mobile phones are expected to be made available to foreigners.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"Mobile phones trump the Internet"}
After decades under a repressive military regime, the Burmese are showing a healthy appetite for news. In the past, all publications had to submit stories to the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division for approval. Censorship was phased out in 2012 and at the beginning of 2013 the bureau was formally abolished.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"The press is flourishing"}
There are few ATMs in Myanmar, so visitors need to bring plenty of U.S. dollars. The higher the denomination, the better the exchange rate. This whole stack of kyat (pronounced "chat") is worth about US$20. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":7,"title":"You\'ll need plenty of clean, new bills"}
When the Burmese want to get a waiter's attention they make a kissing sound, usually two or three short kisses. It's the sort of sound you might make if calling a cat. Myanmar's national beer is cleverly called ... Myanmar Beer.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":8,"title":"A kissing sound gets you a beer"}
Room rates in Myanmar shot up 350% last year, which means that a room that cost US$25 a night in 2011 now goes for almost US$100. New hotels are being built, but the hotel shortage is expected to continue five to 10 years. Book accommodation well ahead. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":9,"title":"Hotel rooms are pricey and tough to score"}
The traditional Burmese dress is the longyi, a wraparound skirt worn by men and women. Men tie theirs in the front and women fold the cloth over and secure it at the side. Here, a longyi-clad visitor walks inside the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":10,"title":"The men wear skirts"}
Chewing betel nut is a national pastime. Small street stalls, like this one in Mandalay, selling the palm-sized green leaves are everywhere. The leaves are filled with betel nut, spices and sometimes a pinch of tobacco, then folded and popped in the mouth and chewed.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":11,"title":"The people with red teeth aren\'t vampires"}HIDE CAPTIONNew Year celebrations last four daysMyanmar has fantastic beaches The trains are seriously bumpyThe food is deliciousMobile phones trump the InternetThe press is flourishingYou'll need plenty of clean, new billsA kissing sound gets you a beerHotel rooms are pricey and tough to scoreThe men wear skirtsThe people with red teeth aren't vampires<<<
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11>>>Event.observe(window,'load',function(){if(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined'){cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image,"11 things to know before visiting Myanmar");}});STORY HIGHLIGHTSBook accommodations early -- Myanmar's hotel room shortage is expected to last 5-10 yearsWith more than 1,000 miles of coastline, the country has some of Asia's best beachesNewfound press freedom has led to explosion in newspaper popularityBring crisp, new cash -- old, dirty and creased bills are often rejected by money changersWorld-renowned chef, best-selling author and Emmy winning television personality Anthony Bourdain is the host of CNN's new showcase for coverage of food and travel. "Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown" is shot entirely on location and airs on CNN International at 3 a.m. CET Monday (9 a.m. HK); repeated the following Saturday 9 p.m. CET (Sunday 3 a.m. HK) Follow the show on Twitter and Facebook. Bourdain's first stop: Myanmar.
The diverse culture of Myanmar has increasingly drawn tourists to its historic landmarks and warm beaches. Here, tourists sun themselves along Ngapali Beach in the Southeast Asian country. Click through to see more of what to expect when visiting Myanmar, also known as Burma.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":1,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
The Sule Pagoda lights up the night sky as people wait for the bus in Yangon. Pagodas serve as shrines for Theravada Buddhists, the majority religion in the country.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":2,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
Scooters zip down the road in Pyinmana, a logging town and sugar refinery center near the new capital, Naypyidaw. The capital moved from Yangon to Naypyidaw in 2005.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":3,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
Young Buddhist monks walk on their daily alms collection at the sacred golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":4,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
Old Burmese money shows the picture of Aung San, a leader in Burma's struggle for independence and father of Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi. This money was abolished by Gen. Ne Win, who ruled over Burma for 26 years.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":5,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
People ride in a rickshaw on a road north of the town of Sittwe.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":6,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
Bagan, the historic former capital of Burma, has thousands of Buddhist temples, pagodas and monasteries from when the Kingdom of Pagan was at its height, from the 11th to the 13th century.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":7,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
A woman sits in her shop lined with mannequins in a shopping center in Mawlamyine.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":8,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
A line of umbrellas sits in front of an old building in Bagan.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":9,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
Women from the Akha ethnic group wear traditional clothes. There are 135 official ethnic groups and seven ethnic minority states in Myanmar, according to the United Nations.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":10,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
People transport flowers across Inle Lake, a large freshwater lake. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":11,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
Light traffic moves through the capital, Naypyidaw.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":12,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
Women wear traditional longyi around their waists in front of a modern movie billboard in Yangon.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":13,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
The Uppatasanti Pagoda at the center of Naypyidaw is a replica of the Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon, the former capital. It's 30 centimeters, or about 1 foot, shorter than the original and was completed in 2009.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":14,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
Volunteers sweep the floors at the golden Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":15,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
Wooden figures sit for sale as incense burns behind them at a stall in Indein, a village by Inle Lake.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":16,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
The temple of Phaung Daw U, the largest on Inle Lake, is lit as dusk falls in the village of Ywama.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":17,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
A Buddhist monk checks out a stand in Pyinmana.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":18,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
A motorbike passes the Assembly of the Union, where the country's upper and lower houses of representatives meet, in Naypyidaw. It is locally called Pyidaungsu Hluttaw.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":19,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
A Burmese boy climbs on a gargoyle statue at the sacred Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":20,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
A novice monk rings the Mingun Bell, the world's third-largest bell, in Mingun village, about 21 kilometers (13 miles) southwest of Mandalay.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":21,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
People pass through a shopping area near the central market in Mawlamyine.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":22,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
A young Burmese man dressed as a woman entertains residents of a neighborhood in Mawlamyine.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":23,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
A Burmese man of Indian descent makes tea in a stall in Mawlamyine.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":24,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}
Women carry fruit baskets on their heads on Ngapali Beach.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":8,"y":1,"pos":25,"title":"Touring Myanmar"}Touring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarTouring MyanmarHIDE CAPTION<<<
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25>>>
Old bills are often rejected by money changers.4. You'll need plenty of cash -- and make sure it's cleanThere are few ATMs in Myanmar, so visitors need to bring plenty of U.S. dollars. The higher the denomination, the better the exchange rate.Your greenbacks should be squeaky clean -- that means no creases, stains, marks or tears. A note that's folded or even a little worn is worthless in Myanmar.At present, credit cards are accepted only in five-star hotels and up-market shops and restaurants, usually with a 2-3% fee added to the bill. But this is changing. By the end of the year, credit cards should be more widely accepted.The local currency is the kyat (pronounced "chat") and U.S.$1 will get you about 882 kyat. The 5,000-kyat note (just less than U.S.$6) is the highest denomination -- be prepared for a bulging wallet.There's little worry about carrying a lot of cash. Crime against foreigners is rare and the Burmese -- the vast majority of whom are Buddhist -- are generally honest.Myanmar records 1 million tourists, surge in tourism income5. A kissing sound gets you a beerWhen the Burmese want to get a waiter's attention they make a kissing sound, usually two or three short kisses. It's the sort of sound you might make if calling a cat.Walk down 19 Street in Yangon's Chinatown and you'll hear that kissing sound a lot. This narrow, pedestrian-only street is where the Burmese come to drink.Restaurants line either side of the street and chairs and tables are set out in front.The local brew is Myanmar Beer and it's cheap -- about 60 cents for a glass of draught.This is prime people-watching territory and if you keep an eye out you'll spot Yangon's hip-hop royalty on the prowl.Just don't expect to see any females. Most Burmese women -- married and single -- stay home in the evening. That's not to say Western women aren't welcome. It's understood that foreigners have different customs.6. Hotels are expensiveRoom rates shot up 350% last year, which means that a room that cost U.S.$25 a night in 2011 now goes for almost U.S.$100.It's a simple matter of supply and demand. Since the country opened up, business travelers and tourists have been packing flights to Myanmar. There are a lot more visitors -- more than a million last year -- but roughly the same number of hotels.More hotels are on the way, but they take time to build and the hotel shortage is expected to continue five to 10 years. Book accommodation well ahead.A lot of hotels are renovating and since they don't want to miss out on the visitor boom, they're staying open while upgrading. When making a reservation it's worth checking to see if any work is in progress and, if so, requesting a room away from the noise.Myanmar hit by severe hotel shortage 7. The men wear skirtsThe traditional Burmese dress is the longyi, a wraparound skirt worn by men and women. Men tie theirs in the front and women fold the cloth over and secure it at the side.NLD Leader Aung San Suu Kyi is known for her beautiful longyis and tailored tops. Her high-profile appearances have helped boost the popularity of the traditional dress among young women in Myanmar.As for what's worn underneath, that's a matter of personal preference. In the cities, Burmese men usually wear underwear beneath their longyis when they go out, but at home wear it as the Scots wear their kilts.In the countryside, underwear is much less common -- for men and women. As one man jokingly put it: "Longyi are great. Free air-conditioning." That's a plus, especially when the summer temperature tips 104 F (40 C).It's completely acceptable for a foreigner to wear a longyi and can be a conversation starter.
Eating out isn't a problem; choosing a place can be. 8. The food is exceptionalIt's considered rude to eat with the left hand as this is the hand used for personal hygiene. To spell that out -- the left hand does the job of toilet paper.So eating -- as well as giving money -- is always done with the right hand.A typical Burmese meal includes steamed rice, fish, meat, vegetables and soup and all the dishes arrive at the same time.The Burmese use their fingertips to mold the rice into a small ball and then mix it with various dishes.As is the norm, Buddhists usually avoid eating beef and the Muslims don't eat pork.Meals are served with plenty of condiments -- from sweet to savory -- and everyone has their preferred way of customizing a dish.Myanmar vs. Burma. Which do you prefer?9. The trains are seriously bumpyThe poor condition of railway tracks means carriages get shaken about. This makes for a bouncy ride, but trains are still a great way to see the country.Myanmar's trains are slow and have a reputation for running late. The most reliable route, Yangon to Mandalay, takes about 16 hours, assuming no delays.On overnight trains, there's more chance of getting some shut-eye in an upper class seat than in a sleeper. It can get surprisingly cold a few hours after dusk, so it's smart to bring something warm to wear.Buses are usually a faster option, but they're often crowded. Domestic flights are the most comfortable way to cover long distances and relatively cheap.10. Yangon has a newspaper vendor on every street corner After five decades under a repressive military regime, the Burmese are enjoying their newfound press freedom and showing a healthy appetite for news.In the past, all publications had to submit their stories to the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division for approval. Censorship was gradually phased out in 2012 and at the beginning of this year the bureau was formally abolished.Under the former ruling military junta, Myanmar had a reputation for jailing anyone who dared voice opposition; that included many in the media. Last year was the first year since 1996 that no journalists were jailed.Burmese journalists who fled the country and were forced to live in exile are slowly returning.April 1 was a landmark for the country's media. For the first time since 1964, daily newspapers were permitted. It's a big step for press freedom, but there are concerns that some of the popular weekly newspapers will struggle to make the transition to daily circulation.11. The people with red teeth aren't vampiresChewing betel nut is a national pastime. Small street stalls selling the palm-sized green leaves are everywhere.The leaves are filled with hard squares of betel nut, spices and sometimes a pinch of tobacco and then folded up and popped in the mouth and chewed.You have to chew a while before you feel the mild narcotic effect of the betel nut.At about 6 cents a wrap it's a cheap hit, but there's a downside. Not only does betel nut stain your teeth a reddish-brown, the little packages are spat out on the floor when finished -- making for messy sidewalks.It's also highly addictive.0Comments »SHARE THISPrintEmailMore sharingRedditStumbleUponDelicious/* push in config for this share instance */cnn_shareconfig.push({"id" : "cnn_sharebar2","url" : "http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/05/travel/myanmar-11-things/index.html","title" : "11 things to know before visiting Myanmar"});var OB_permalink='http://edition.cnn.com'+location.pathname;var OB_langJS='http://widgets.outbrain.com/lang_en.js';var OB_widgetId='AR_1';var OB_Template="cnnedition";if (typeof(OB_Script)!='undefined'){OutbrainStart();}else{var OB_Script=true;var str="cnnad_createAd("102417","http://ads.cnn.com/html.ng/site=cnn_international&cnn_intl_pagetype=mmst&cnn_intl_position=607x95_adlinks&cnn_intl_rollup=travel&page.allowcompete=no¶ms.styles=fs","95","607");cnnad_registerSpace(102417,607,95);