I DON'T often I indulge in moral outrage, but recent events at the Hotel de la Paix have compelled me to do so.

On behalf of Siem Reap’s non-ignorant population, the hotel staff, and the artists whose work is exhibited: would people please just shut the f*** up when, during the very generously subsidised openings, someone is presenting information about the artist and their work.  I know manners are so twentieth century now. I know that simply by virtue of being in Cambodia we have established our credentials as endlessly fascinating persons with many profound and important things to say.

But it was excruciating to watch Christian de Boer attempt to introduce the artist Nic Grey at the recent opening of We Live Inside A Dream.

Just as it was excruciating to try to hear the curator Sasha Constable introduce the Cambodian master artist Dy Proeung at May’s opening, and the time before that and the time before that. If you’re not into the art, that’s fine, you don’t have to come.

 If you are, then a tiny bit of respect would go a long way.