Shops and restaurants that cater to foreigners are decorated and some even have Christmas trees. Supermarkets sell Christmas decorations. Even businesses which are owned by and cater to Cambodians get into the spirit.
I noticed it in Thailand too. One of the main reasons people go to Bangkok is to shop in their swanky malls. The Christmas decor in the malls is over the top in a way that would shame their American counterparts. It got me thinking...
In America we like to wring our hands about the commercialization of Christmas but it seems everyone loves Christmas, which is (or is supposed to be) a Christian holiday. Which makes the Christmas overload all the more extraordinary in this part of the world. According to the CIA website this is the breakdown of the Cambodian population by religion:
Buddhist 96.4%, Muslim 2.1%, other 1.3%, unspecified 0.2% (1998 census)
Notice anyone missing? People are bonkers for Christmas in a country where, for all intents and purposes, there are no Christians! The numbers are similar for Thailand:
Buddhist 94.6%, Muslim 4.6%, Christian 0.7%, other 0.1% (2000 census)
I think part of the reason is that, whatever complaints we might have about Christmas overload, it really is a fun time of year. Who doesn't like getting gifts? I believe the Buddhist culture of tolerance has much to do with it. I hope I don't step on any toes by pointing out that other religions aren't quite so willing to embrace or even allow other traditions.
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