Sikh Temple

Being of Indian descent let me try to explain some things for people who might not know the unspoken «rules» that you should abide by when coming into a Sikh temple…
* Don’t come in smelling of alcohol, or while you’re drunk and/​or high. This behaviour is disrespectful anywhere, not just in a place of worship.
* Take your shoes off, socks if possible, and put them in the cubby-​holes.
* Wash your hands AFTER you take your shoes off.
* Men, cover your heads with those square pieces of fabric that you see right as you enter (sorry don’t know what to call them in English: P)…same with women… unless you have a scarf on hand. Do not wear your hood though.
* Go to the temple portion (same level as entrance) and donate whatever you can – even if it’s just pennies. Where do you think the money for running the temple and making of the food comes from? Sit there (it’s expansive) and just calm your mind, it’s rarely busy unless of course you come on a wedding day haha. You can talk there, but very silently… and since it’s large, many people won’t hear your whispers unless you’re in close proximity with them. It’s best to be quiet though.
* The kitchen/​eating area is downstairs and you can come earlier to help make the food if you want.
* Yes, when you go downstairs you’re getting essentially a «free» meal, or however much money you donated upstairs, so don’t be rude.
* In India, and even in temples here sitting on tables and eating is uncommon, sitting on the ground is common in India, it is just typical of the culture. At this temple they give you a choice, you can sit on the ground or on the table… the tables are probably there for the older generation who have a hard time sitting on the ground. So sit on the ground, they’ll respect your choices.
* When eating, typically you don’t go up to get seconds, you can… but usually people walk around with food/​drinks, and you get can seconds then.
* Put your dishes away, don’t just leave them on the floor.
Even though I don’t practise Sikhism, I like to go temples on occasion… go and you shall see… temples are very calming.
Be at peace. :)