Mongolian children are sometimes given odd names like Nergui (Meaning: without name) or Enebish (Meaning: not this one), or boys would be dressed up as girls. Since people of the steppe received only one name in life, its selection carried much symbolism, often on several levels; the name imparted to the child its character, fate and destiny. Some children get sick nearly, because his or her name is too hard for him or her. That’s why, in certain times families give odd names to protect their children safe.
When someone is traveling far away/long distances, you spray milk with a wooden spoon. Mongolians respect milk as pure, kind heartedness, therefore they tell that “The best refreshment is a milk”. That’s why they wish someone, who is travelling far away, well future like a milk. Not only in this condition, but also when welcoming, doing farewell, wishing, blessing, wedding and all other cultures include milk to wish happiness.
Numbers and dates – About Mongolians, numbers and dates are very necessary because of numerological horoscope. General things that 3 and 9 are lucky number, in contrast, 13 and 666 are bad omen numbers. In somedays, they let nothing out of house, sometimes Tuesday is considered as bad day to start new business or meeting. Likewise, they even have haircutting dates. When they are planning a big ceremony or cultural event, they have to choose best day by lunar calculation.
Do not surprise if you see babies with black line on the nose. Before going out at night, young children's foreheads are sometimes painted with charcoal or soot to deceive evil spirits that this is not a child but a rabbit with black hair on the forehead.
If you are late at some traditional festivals in Mongolia, you might have punished by 5 or 10 litres of Airag, which is fermented mare milk. It is the traditional national beverage of Mongolia with about 6-8% of alcoholic concentration.
Snuff bottle ritual— a guest and host offer each other their snuff bottles to examine as part of a greeting ritual. It is customarily expected that guests will be served the finest food possible and that vodka will also be plentiful. If you receive a snuff bottle at Mongolian family, you should gently loosen the top without removing it, sniff it, examine it briefly and then hand it back to its owner. The owner will sniff it again before putting it away or passing it to another guest. It is phytogenic that’s why they consider that it can heal cold.
As one of the only remaining horse-based cultures left in the world, Mongolians greatly cherish their horses. Outside the capital, the horse is still the main mode of transportation and children begin riding as soon as they can sit up. Nomads are extremely proud of their riding skills and horse racing is a favorite pastime. Believing the race to be a test of the animal's and not the rider's ability, young children are often the jockeys. The most prestigious tests of these superb animals are the horse races at the Naadam Festival, Mongolia 's national games, which takes place each July. Families will travel for days to be able to participate or just attend this grand event.
Besides, hospitality mandates to present a bowl of airag to each visitor. A Mongolian will normally empty it, but it is also acceptable to just take a sip and return the bowl. To reject the offer right away would be gravely impolite.