The houses are built on stilts or level with the ground. Tay clothes are generally dyed with indigo. Women wear a below knee-length dress split at the right side up to the armpit with five buttons and narrow sleeves. The Tay prefer sons to daughters. Prescriptions in relationship between the members of the family are strictly observed.
Couples live in harmony.
Divorce is rare. The practice of married comples living in the wife's family is no longer followed. The Tay practise ancestor worship. The ancestor altar is placed in a prominent part of the house. Strangers are not allowed to sit on the bed in font of the altar.