politetraveler32 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 My workmates and I have been planning to go to Thailand for about a year now. We’re finally doing it in two months and we’re doing our individual research about the place and the culture in preparation. I saw in one of the blogs I’ve read that vendors in tourist spots can be quite pushy on what they are selling, and that they had a pretty bad experience with them when they went there for an asian matchmaking tour. How do we turn them down without insulting them or appearing too harsh? The least thing we want to happen is to cause some trouble while in there. What do we do if saying “no thanks” won’t make them back off? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post colinneil Posted February 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2018 How to politely turn down sellers? Easy..... Learn 3 words,mai mee tang, they soon go away, leave you alone. Mai mee tang, English, got no money. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post allane Posted February 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2018 You and every other foreigner are doing them a great favour by even setting foot in their country. There is absolutely no need for any of us to worry about being polite. When I am on the beach, I close my eyes when I see them coming. Anywhere else, say nothing. Of course they don't understand any foreign language. If you say anything at all, they take it as an expression of interest in whatever they are selling. 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cornishcarlos Posted February 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2018 1 minute ago, allane said: When I am on the beach, I close my eyes when I see them coming. Then get your wallet nicked while you are "sleeping" :) 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post phuketrichard Posted February 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2018 Most of the time, I just ignore them,Sometimes say MI OW ( dont want) I know may not seem polite, but i did not ask them to ask me, so why respond... 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
my friend I Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Say I don't have time. May mee welAR. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
politetraveler32 Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 2 hours ago, allane said: You and every other foreigner are doing them a great favour by even setting foot in their country. There is absolutely no need for any of us to worry about being polite. When I am on the beach, I close my eyes when I see them coming. Anywhere else, say nothing. Of course they don't understand any foreign language. If you say anything at all, they take it as an expression of interest in whatever they are selling. I like the way you think. It was a great help. Thanks! 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
politetraveler32 Posted February 20, 2018 Author Share Posted February 20, 2018 1 hour ago, phuketrichard said: Most of the time, I just ignore them,Sometimes say MI OW ( dont want) I know may not seem polite, but i did not ask them to ask me, so why respond... Well, i'm more of a passive aggressive type of person. Sometimes I can't ignore someone if they annoy me too much :/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kingstonkid Posted February 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2018 I just say Mai Khrap and smile. No thank you seems to work. The idea is just to be polite and say no thank you. 8 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaeJoMTB Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 7 minutes ago, kingstonkid said: I just say Mai Khrap and smile. Avoid all eye contact, pretend they don't exist ........ works far better. Being polite shows weakness in Thailand. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post richard_smith237 Posted February 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2018 (edited) Any seller who is pushy, grabs my arm, steps in the street to block my path etc is not polite and not deserving of a polite response, I simply ignore them and walk on (these are usually the Tailors etc). On a beach, I just say 'Mai Ow' and if they are persistent and blocking my view... 'No!' a little more firmly *(these are usually the sarong sellers & henna tattoo guys). In a regular market, people are usually less pushy and its our choice to be there, if you make eye contact a smile and small shake of the head is fine. I don't worry about being polite, but I don't like to be impolite, in the situation where someone has forced me to become someone I don't like to be I am not too worried about my response just so long as it's not one which allows a minor situation to escalate. Edited February 20, 2018 by richard_smith237 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manchega Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 I recommend using international sign language. For me what works is to show how much money I have, I say very loudly in English I have money very small, I use one hand or two to indicate what a short distance is. This usually works for me, everyone understands if you're money is too short to go along way. Then thank everyone with a big smile and be in your way. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Enoon Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 While they are still a few metres from you (you from them) let them know that they are invisible. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 It's good opportunity to practise your Thai - Mai au, krap (I don't want, thank you) - Farang mai mee tang, krap (Foreigner doesn't have money) - Mee läo, krap (I have already) Remember to smile and you'll get a smile back before the seller moves on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard_smith237 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 1 minute ago, manchega said: I recommend using international sign language. For me what works is to show how much money I have, I say very loudly in English I have money very small, I use one hand or two to indicate what a short distance is. This usually works for me, everyone understands if you're money is too short to go along way. Then thank everyone with a big smile and be in your way. Having to go through that routine every 5 meters may wear thin.... Tourists can often be seen being ever so polite to someone who's simply trying too hard to sell them something... It's nice to see someone making effort to be polite, however, the persistence of the sellers often wears thin... that's when you see those who've been here any length of time simply ignore them and anyone else trying to vie for their attention.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaeJoMTB Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 6 minutes ago, oilinki said: It's good opportunity to practise your Thai - Mai au, krap (I don't want, thank you) - Farang mai mee tang, krap (Foreigner doesn't have money) - Mee läo, krap (I have already) Remember to smile and you'll get a smile back before the seller moves on. If you want to use Thai "Chern by" .... "invite them to leave" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sanemax Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 They are being rude by hassling you , just dont acknowledge them and dont even look at what they are selling . They are pests Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post seancbk Posted February 20, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted February 20, 2018 52 minutes ago, oilinki said: It's good opportunity to practise your Thai - Mai au, krap (I don't want, thank you) - Farang mai mee tang, krap (Foreigner doesn't have money) - Mee läo, krap (I have already) Remember to smile and you'll get a smile back before the seller moves on. This is the only answer I would recommend. I just smile and wave my hand to say not interested. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surasak Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 One of the first things I learnt, how to say, no thank you. Mai Khrap, then treat them like they do not exist. You have been polite and they get the message loud and clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manchega Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 perhaps it does wear thin, but after one or two sellers see the body language they tend to ignore you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cranky Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Indian tailors are the best value. Find one close to your hotel that you will pass by at least twice a day on your daily travels. Day 1, you will be accosted so feign interest and tell him you'll come back later. See how excited he is on the return journey, same agin, tell him you're in a hurry but will see him in the morning. Usually takes about 4 days before he ignores you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 In Pattaya, just say Nyet and scowl. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
murraynz Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 thai sellers are not over persistant. just say no or look the other way. its simple, they go away... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubba45 Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Simple thai like someone else suggested "mai ow" or "mai ow khrap" gives the impression you didn't get off the boat yesterday and you've heard and seen all this before. They tend to back off sooner. It's easy and tells them you don't want what they're offering. Smiling is optional, but truth is if they're a pushy $&#*@ there's no reason to be polite, and it won't matter to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotpoom Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 Miow crap ( my spelling). "I not want, thank you", shake head from side to side and smile......just like you might do back home really? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathuboy Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 simple,- Just a little smile and show with your hand that you are not interested Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quandow Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 8 hours ago, phuketrichard said: Most of the time, I just ignore them,Sometimes say MI OW ( dont want) I know may not seem polite, but i did not ask them to ask me, so why respond... Just smile and end it with "Kahp." That's polite and they get the message. Phonetically: May ow, kahp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy102uk Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 No eye contact and a small shake of the head. Yours not the sellers? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poanoi Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 just ignore them, keep walking and dont look at them, they dont exist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebonykap Posted February 20, 2018 Share Posted February 20, 2018 What I always say is "Mai ow krab, kob khun krab". Krab alone does not mean thank you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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