While traveling across the Mongolian countryside you will find the warm, traditional hospitality for which Mongolian herders are justifiably famous. Outside towns, the doors to gers are open to the passer by whether they are a complete stranger or a long lost uncle and you are always welcome to stop in and make yourself a mug of tea even if the owners are away. As with many traditions, this open armed hospitality is based in solid practicality, as there are no fences in the countryside, it is not uncommon for animals to wander large distances from the ger unhindered in search of fresh grass and as a result, herders have to travel significant distances from home to find them.

Guard dogs in the countryside range from the terminally lazy to the rabid lunatic, so it is always wise to play safe and call out "Nohoi Khorio!", which roughly translates to "Can I come in", but literally means "Hold the dog!" before coming too close to a ger. On hearing the call, somebody should appear at the door and wave you in. In most cases, if the countryside people hear the sound of engine of the vehicle approaching their place, they get out of their gers and look with their eyes shaded to the direction they hear the noise as their senses of hearing and seeing are quite sharp living in the wide open space. They are happy to have guests visiting their home.

When stepping into the ger, it is a good manner not to step on the threshold. This is because repeated stepping on the threshold pushes an impression into the ground below it, making a draft inside the ger. Having greeted each other, everyone takes their seats (visitors generally to the left, but wherever there is most space otherwise) and anybody who has one shares around their snuff bottle. The bottles are always passed using the right hand and are given in an open palm. Having sniffed some snuff, the visitor is offered a bowl of, often salty, tea that should be received with both hands and is then offered something small things to eat an offer that cannot be refused!

If it is late, the visitor might be invited to stay the night. Some visitors feel they have to pay for this, but unless money is asked for, it would be insulting and culturally damaging to offer a cash payment. Hospitality is the rule of the steppes.
However, visitors should never leave without offering something. Small practical gifts are always appreciated. It is better to provide small but worthwhile gifts for the whole family. Some useful gifts may include soaps, toothpastes, lighters, first aid items, hand mirrors, lipsticks, etc. Sweets, coloring books, pencils, pens, toys (can be old but clean), and stuffed toys like teddy bear would be ideal gifts for the kids.

It's polite to ask the oldest in the family whether you can take photos inside their home if you want. They certainly won't refuse because taking pictures means something special for the people who live far away from civilization. Mostly the countryside people like their photos taken and want to have copies, so take a Polaroid with you and make their day. You may meet someone in the middle of nowhere who would ask you to take their instant photos.

At the end of the visit, the visitor is usually seen off and, if the visitor is leaving to go on a long trip, a little milk may be sprinkled in the direction of travel. This is known as the "tsatsal urgoh" ceremony and it is done to bring good luck to the traveler.