Typical Thai Answers to Questions - Do You Have Other Examples

[Thomas J]

I am from the USA and typically there people ask very specific questions and get specific answers.  Now here for over one year I am always amazed and sometimes very frustrated.  Do you have other funny examples.  Here are a few of mine. 

Me: This product is out of stock, will you get more in
Thai: Don't have now, product is out of stock


Me: What is the difference between the various models of this car
Thai:  Each one get more expensive

Me I know they get more expensive, what do you get that make each level of model more expensive
Thai: More Options

Me: My car needs service only have 12,000 km
Thai: Your car have over 10,000 Km you can not get 10,000 km service

Me: Ok which service level can I get
Thai: You can get 20,000 km or 30,000 km service package

Me: Ok what is the difference between the packages
Thai: One you get at 20,000 km the other at 30,000 km 


 

[Surelynot]

Will you go short time?.....No

[CorpusChristie]

Q : What time does the train leave ?

A : Bangkok 

[jvs]

In a shop,I would like to have two of these special batteries please'

"No have"

Ok,they are hanging right behind you?

'No have"

End of story.

I go some where else.

[Wongkitlo]

I wanted a USB memory stick from the local printing school supplies shop. No. We sold them all so I didn't buy anymore.

[ezzra]

After 30+ years living here my eyes are permanently rolled up and my arms are both in the air also permanently having given up on getting a coherent and to the point answers from the locals,

mind you though, the locals are pretty happy is receiving such vogue answers, doesn't bother them the least...

[fdsa]

53 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

Me: This product is out of stock, will you get more in
Thai: Don't have now, product is out of stock


Me: What is the difference between the various models of this car
Thai:  Each one get more expensive

Me I know they get more expensive, what do you get that make each level of model more expensive
Thai: More Options

Me: My car needs service only have 12,000 km
Thai: Your car have over 10,000 Km you can not get 10,000 km service

Me: Ok which service level can I get
Thai: You can get 20,000 km or 30,000 km service package

Me: Ok what is the difference between the packages
Thai: One you get at 20,000 km the other at 30,000 km 

 

27 minutes ago, Wongkitlo said:

I wanted a USB memory stick from the local printing school supplies shop. No. We sold them all so I didn't buy anymore.

 

And this is why it is called "Land of Smiles" 

[chickenslegs]

Me: Pointing at a ceiling fan on display, "I'd like to buy one of those".

Shop assistant: "Sorry, not have".

Me: "Can I order one?"

Shop assistant: "Sorry, no, they don't make them any more".

Me: "Can I buy the one on display?"

Shop assistant: "Sorry, can not".

Me: "Why not?"

Shop assistant: "We need it for the display".

[Halfaboy]

In a restaurant:

Me: can I have a coke ? 

She: no have

Me: <deleted> no coke ? 

She: no, have Pepsi.... 

[Neeranam]

1 hour ago, Thomas J said:

I am from the USA and typically there people ask very specific questions and get specific answers.  Now here for over one year I am always amazed and sometimes very frustrated.  Do you have other funny examples.  Here are a few of mine. 

I'm sure if I went to the US of A and spoke Thai, I'd get confused answers.

[Thomas J]

1 minute ago, Neeranam said:

I'm sure if I went to the US of A and spoke Thai, I'd get confused answers.

neeranam

The examples I gave were spoken in Thai by my fiance. 

[Neeranam]

2 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

neeranam

The examples I gave were spoken in Thai by my fiance. 

I see. Things are often lost in translation.

[RubbaJohnny]

35 minutes ago, ezzra said:

After 30+ years living here my eyes are permanently rolled up and my arms are both in the air also permanently having given up on getting a coherent and to the point answers from the locals,

mind you though, the locals are pretty happy is receiving such vogue answers, doesn't bother them the least...

Such vogue answers are so fashionabale they are ...in Vogue.

 

I have long learnt the farang square peg in round holes leads to unecessary headaches.I used to foolishly ask when certain items would be in stock after the inevitable "no have" I would gently ask when they would like to do some business and take my money , the inevitable answer reminds  of politicians with their , presently, in the fullness in time, at the appropriate time, here an even simpler one day.

4 vehicles and 2 buildings done I have realized the locals won't change so I have either have to get bothered are far more relaxing go with the flow.

[1FinickyOne]

I have been married 20 years and actually, the issue is getting worse... more often... the answer has nothing to do with the question - 

 

still, I don't really mind... 

[1FinickyOne]

40 minutes ago, Halfaboy said:

In a restaurant:

Me: can I have a coke ? 

She: no have

Me: <deleted> no coke ? 

She: no, have Pepsi.... 

what is the problem with this? Other than you seem to have been a bit rude.

[1FinickyOne]

37 minutes ago, Thomas J said:

neeranam

The examples I gave were spoken in Thai by my fiance. 

That explains it all -- your wife doesn't really want to take the time to bother w/explanations that won't get you anywhere so she tells you the first thing that comes to her mind... 

 

I speak Thai and have heard Thai people do this... it is just a time/aggravation saver...

[NCC1701A]

i realized the magnitude of the problem when my Thai girlfriend would not ask the questions I wanted her to ask because she knew it was pointless.

[1FinickyOne]

1 hour ago, Thomas J said:

Me: This product is out of stock, will you get more in
Thai: Don't have now, product is out of stock

The answer is - - ' I don't know' - but Thai feel it is not a good answer - they don't like to admit they don't know something as they want to be seen as being helpful... 

 

it is a cultural thing... as you learn the culture [and that it is not the same as kansas] things will make more sense.. 

[Neeranam]

2 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

i realized the magnitude of the problem when my Thai girlfriend would not ask the questions I wanted her to ask because she knew it was pointless.

Thai people don't like asking questions sometimes. Look up 'Greng Jai'.

[Neeranam]

1 minute ago, kenk24 said:

it is a cultural thing... as you learn the culture [and that it is not the same as kansas] things will make more sense.. 

And to learn the cultural nuancea, you must speak the language. 

[1FinickyOne]

3 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

the magnitude of the problem

it only has magnitude if you think things are serious... 

[1FinickyOne]

1 minute ago, Neeranam said:

And to learn the cultural nuancea, you must speak the language. 

It sure makes it easier, but I think being totally open minded is also a factor...

[Lacessit]

"Maybe" and "Up to you" are the two most frequent responses from my Thai GF.

On the other hand, I sometimes get the question from her " Can I borrow 500 baht?"

[heist]

What time should I get there?

"Tomorrow"

[spidermike007]

If this product is out of stock so often, for months in a row, and every time you restock it, it sells out immediately, why don't you guys order more of it next time, knowing how good a seller it is?

 

Too difficult to keep in stock.

Cannot get. 

Manager think too much work.

How can we know it will sell next time?

You think too much!

[Somtamnication]

No hab.

[Oldie]

You get good answers too. Just days ago I replaced the battery of my tablet at the Samsung service center in Pattaya. I asked how long the warranty is. 3 months? She answered "No - it is 90 days". I really was impressed. Not often you get such a precise answer. She was right. 3 months and 90 days are not the same. 

[RichardColeman]

Q. Whilst I'm in the UK, I'll do a lottery line for you. Give me 6 numbers between 1 and 50.

 

A. 3. 7. 17. 25. 53. and 82

[mfd101]

Ask question cleate ploblem.

[In the jungle]

"How far is it to your sister's house?"

 

"Not far"

 

It was 730 kilometres.