Money is not an acceptable offering, so most offer sticky rice, a staple in the Laos diet that makes up most of the monks daily nourishment. The rice must be soaked overnight then cooked in time for offering at Sia Bat which begins around 5:30 am.

Those offering alms kneel along the roadside waiting quietly for the monks to arrive. It is rude to come late, disrupt the ceremony in any way or to follow the monks' procession once they have passed. Do not touch the monks or try to engage them.

Signs outlining proper etiquette for interacting with monks and visiting temples are posted throughout Luang Prabang to help visitors. Most travelers are respectful, but, if the city has to post these signs, many pass through less gracefully as well.

One of many signs posted in Luang Prabang to promote respectful behavior.

Those who belong to faiths other than Theravada Buddhism are not expected to take part in almsgiving, just as those not baptized in the Christian church do not accept communion. Some tourists participate for the sake of a selfie, and there are even local people who exploit the curiosity of visitors by selling them small woven pots of sticky rice. Many find this intrusive and note it as why the practice of almsgiving has fallen into decline.