JSLit Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Ive been living in Thailand on and off for almost 10 years. I started my journey in Chiang Mai, headed towards the Southern part of Thailand (Rayong, Hat Yai, etc) and spent a few years in BK. Ive never paid much attention to Wai's until the past two years living in the Northeast region. Prior to this, I just give my usual Wais to people close to my age range or older without much care. When it was given Id return it. Whenever I was with my mates they did so as well. Im not sure if its a regional thing but Ive noticed a drop off being in the Northeast. No biggie. About a week ago a few of the local beauty pageant contestants when to dine where we were for a photo opp. It was my wife, myself and my mate. One of the contestants gave the Wai to my wife while I was eating. According to my mate, he gave one to her a second after my wife and claimed that he didnt get a return Wai back. He was a bit upset and I told him to chill since the beauty contestants looked nervous and it wasnt there focus. Also I told him sometimes people give Wais to a group than individual. He then scolded me and told me it was rude since he was an older man, bla bla bla. I came here to the forums here to make it clear on this issue. The only thing I notice is that in other regions in Thailand it was quite common whereas in BK and the Northeast it was the least. Also I tend to break the rules, like if a waiter or a maid Wai's at me Ill return it back. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Upnotover Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 The only old men I see regularly wai'ing young attractive girls is in go-go's., and very foolish they look. She probably thought he was being inappropriate and responded accordingly. 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritManToo Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 26 minutes ago, JSLit said: The only thing I notice is that in other regions in Thailand it was quite common whereas in BK and the Northeast it was the least. Also I tend to break the rules, like if a waiter or a maid Wai's at me Ill return it back. Don't wai anyone, you aren't a serf or a lord. 5 3 2 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSLit Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 6 minutes ago, Upnotover said: The only old men I see regularly wai'ing young attractive girls is in go-go's., and very foolish they look. She probably thought he was being inappropriate and responded accordingly. LOL. Dont know he he looked at them and just going by him saying he gave a simple Wai Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSLit Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 8 minutes ago, BritManToo said: Don't wai anyone, you aren't a serf or a lord. Usually I keep it only to older people like friends/family that I dont see quite often. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OneMoreFarang Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 43 minutes ago, JSLit said: gave the Wai As far as I know there are many versions of a Wai. And if you do it the wrong way (for that occasion) then it's not good. Just two example: 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post josephbloggs Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 22 minutes ago, BritManToo said: Don't wai anyone, you aren't a serf or a lord. Yeah!! And if someone puts their hand out don't shake it, just leave them hanging. And if someone says "hello" to you under no circumstances should you say hello back. What an attitude..... 20 2 1 4 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSLit Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 5 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said: As far as I know there are many versions of a Wai. And if you do it the wrong way (for that occasion) then it's not good. Just two example: The second pic looks like how he does it most of the time and the more I think about it, perhaps a bit lower. Cant wait to show him the thread here ???? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritManToo Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 22 minutes ago, JSLit said: Usually I keep it only to older people like friends/family that I dont see quite often. I'm the oldest, most educated and richest person I ever meet in Thailand. So, by their own rules, they should always wai me. 1 1 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneMoreFarang Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 11 minutes ago, JSLit said: The second pic looks like how he does it most of the time and the more I think about it, perhaps a bit lower. Cant wait to show him the thread here ???? My point was/is that there is no correct way to do that in general. There is a way to wai the older boss and there is another way to wai someone younger and another way to wai a monk. And some more. I guess it depends on the receiver how serious they look at this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kwasaki Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 7 minutes ago, BritManToo said: I'm the oldest, most educated and richest person I ever meet in Thailand. So, by their own rules, they should always wai me. I'm the oldest in family don't wai anyone and in my presence they crawl around on the floor. 1 1 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSLit Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 What I told my mate was to generally dont give Wais to younger people first especially when its that obvious of difference of age. My guess is that she was caught off guard from nerves and who knows, it may have been a group thing (though I think Wais are 1 on 1) I personally didnt Wai back even if I did see it since I view these beauty pageant girls as kids even if they are 19 years old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PJ71 Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 52 minutes ago, BritManToo said: Don't wai anyone, you aren't a serf or a lord. I agree, farangs look stupid when the wai. 3 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSLit Posted February 19, 2023 Author Share Posted February 19, 2023 19 minutes ago, BritManToo said: I'm the oldest, most educated and richest person I ever meet in Thailand. So, by their own rules, they should always wai me. ???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SuperSilverHaze Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 There's absolutely nothing wrong with returning the wai of a child and even service staff. You just shouldn't initiate either. With staff it's ok to not always wai but you should acknowledge (must) We are foreigners don't sweat the small stuff. Trying is 90% 2 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SuperSilverHaze Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 6 minutes ago, PJ71 said: I agree, farangs look stupid when the wai. But they look even more stupid when they don't. 4 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ71 Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 Just now, SuperSilverHaze said: But they look even more stupid when they don't. Really? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post josephbloggs Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 8 minutes ago, PJ71 said: I agree, farangs look stupid when the wai. No they don't. Understand why you are doing it and it is a nice thing. Foreigners who just go around randomly wai'ing bus drivers, people in the street, random strangers, may look odd but generally they will be seen as cute even if they are completely wrong - at least they are making an effort and that is always appreciated in any culture. People who refuse to return a wai are simply rude - just as it would be if you refused a handshake., If you don't understand that then maybe just stick to your own kind (which, judging by the tone of your post, I am sure you do anyway). 5 1 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SuperSilverHaze Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) 47 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said: As far as I know there are many versions of a Wai. And if you do it the wrong way (for that occasion) then it's not good. Just two example: Imo a foreigner shoud never wai as the top photo shows. It's very correct but for an old, farang man it shows too much beta. That's the kinda of wai that goes to a parent upon seeing them after six months away. The bottom is not really a wai. If you are shy get in front of a mirror and wai 30 times a day for a week. You'll feel much better about it About the only person you really must wai are your spouse's parents and if working you should know how to properly wai your boss. You should return almost everyone's wai. Edited February 19, 2023 by SuperSilverHaze 3 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSilverHaze Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 6 minutes ago, PJ71 said: Really? Absolutely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PJ71 Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 Just now, SuperSilverHaze said: Absolutely. Do you salute a soldier when you see them? 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SuperSilverHaze Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 (edited) 2 minutes ago, PJ71 said: Do you salute a soldier when you see them? Not even close to being the same. And yes, if I were a soldier I'd expect I'd salute back. Cultural ignoramus. Lost. Some just not cut out to even leave the pub back home... Sadly Edited February 19, 2023 by SuperSilverHaze 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PJ71 Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 3 minutes ago, josephbloggs said: No they don't. yes they do. 4 minutes ago, josephbloggs said: If you don't understand that then maybe just stick to your own kind How very patronising...... I do not need to or do i care to understand how it all works. Having lived here for more than 24years and speaking the language it has no impact on my life if i Wai or not. Next pls... 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PJ71 Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 Just now, SuperSilverHaze said: Not even close to being the same. And yes, if I were a soldier I'd expect I'd salute back. Cultural ignoramus. Lost. so resorting to insults now - showing your true colours ???? 1 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSilverHaze Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 1 minute ago, PJ71 said: yes they do. How very patronising...... I do not need to or do i care to understand how it all works. Having lived here for more than 24years and speaking the language it has no impact on my life if i Wai or not. Next pls... That you are aware of... No, Thais are masters of toleration 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperSilverHaze Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 1 minute ago, PJ71 said: so resorting to insults now - showing your true colours ???? You're just trolling and gave been for some time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Kwasaki Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 5 minutes ago, PJ71 said: Do you salute a soldier when you see them? Well a lot of the ex-SAS on bar stools do. ???? 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PJ71 Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 5 minutes ago, SuperSilverHaze said: No, Thais are masters of toleration What, do you mean like when they're on the roads and the incredible patience they have? Comedy gold sunshine.... 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanLaew Posted February 19, 2023 Share Posted February 19, 2023 So the OP's mate, who I assume is a farang, got upset when his wai wasn't acknowldeged and reciprocated? Maybe best to just avoid this cultural assimilation nonsense. It's a big old nothing burger. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Dmaxdan Posted February 19, 2023 Popular Post Share Posted February 19, 2023 28 minutes ago, PJ71 said: Really? Yes really! Because to not wai back would be rude, ignorant and disrespectful. 1 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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