1 minute ago, novacova said:

…an individual reflection 

Stick around, you'll get it, eventually! 

5 minutes ago, connda said:

If they called it the Land Of Assault On Tourist, people may stop coming.
 

 

White trash

I think if you walk around with a face like thunder people will put you on the ignore list, in my soi is pretty mixed local Thais a few Burmese and a few farangs, everybody seems to let on, The Thai's always say sawat dee papa when I pass bye,

A couple of times a week we take a walk down the beach and see the same people around even the miserable Russians nod their head, 

9 minutes ago, connda said:

If they called it the Land Of Assault On Tourist, people may stop coming.
 

 

A friend tried the 'North Korea with cobras' name but it never caught on..????

1 hour ago, IvorBiggun2 said:

The are 13 ways in which Thais smile and each has a different name and meaning.

 

https://www.thethailandlife.com/whats-behind-a-thai-smile

Thank you, a sensible answer at last. And a very informative article it is too. It's true what it says that:  'even a seasoned expat may misinterpret one'. (smile that is)

10 minutes ago, 2baht said:

Stick around, you'll get it, eventually! 

I’ve been here quite a long time and have a lot of Thai friends, a lot. Not a single one projects an inkling of smirk or monetary expectation on me. Though I can understand why someone would have such experiences due to their own expectations and projected approach to Thais and the venues they frequent. 

A late great man once said to me, “Blend in and become part of the crowd, adapt” “If you think you have to come DOWN to their level, you’ll never get along” A lot of farangs here that are not comfortable in their own skin 

Because it's a clever marketing slogan that stuck!  "LOS"

Let me know if you need more reasons. ???? 

 

I almost forgot Lisa.

 

 

4 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Let me know if you need more reasons. ???? 

 

Give me $smile

Because if one notices Thais, when they are talking to each other they seem happy and their faces light up and smile naturally during their discussions.

They smile even when they want to eliminate you .

It really was "the land of smiles" but that was long ago, when I first arrived.

Since those golden days, Thailand has seen many problems and the smile has vanished for the most part, except when scoring large off some tourist sucker.

3 minutes ago, freeworld said:

Because if one notices Thais, when they are talking to each other they seem happy and their faces light up and smile naturally during their discussions.

Typical Thai discussion:

 

'Have you eaten yet?'

 

 

30 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Let me know if you need more reasons. ???? 

 

IMO won't be many smiles for the first one by any hetero farang that gets her bikini bottom off.

3 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

IMO won't be many smiles for the first one by any hetero farang that gets her bikini bottom off.

Looks female

32 minutes ago, OneMoreFarang said:

Good job! It appears someone has finally got a pic of Bignok....  ????

2 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

Good job! It appears someone has finally got a pic of Bignok....  ????

Thats me in the bikini

I think people throughout the world smile less and are less friendly.  Many seem afraid I guess and less willing to smile or start a conversation.  Or, there is a major hatred towards others going on now it seems.

Use to be for example you are in an elevator and start a friendly conversation.  Now, most people just stand stone faced, looking away or on their phones not wanting to engage.

2 hours ago, novacova said:

I don’t know about the UK, but for the US it’s Open Borders!!

Nah; You want fries with that?

Just now, bkk6060 said:

I think people throughout the world smile less and are less friendly.  Many seem afraid I guess and less willing to smile or start a conversation.  Or, there is a major hatred towards others going on now it seems.

Use to be for example you are in an elevator and start a friendly conversation.  Now, most people just stand stone faced, looking away or on their phones not wanting to engage.

Scared of covid and flus

Why do people on here call Thailand the land of smiles?

 

Mostly coz they are new here.

1 hour ago, 2baht said:

LoS....The Land of Smirks! They think we are rich and stupid! ???? 

Think your outlook on Thais has become jaded. Most Thais dont think like that.

 

Anyway one would not find anywhere else in the world a unique friendly welcoming people, country and culture accepting and adapting to many different foreigners interacting with them.

4 minutes ago, freeworld said:

Think your outlook on Thais has become jaded.

Quite possible!  

 

 

2 hours ago, novacova said:

I don’t know about the UK, but for the US it’s Open Borders!!

Only in the fevered cheese dreams of the dumb

2 hours ago, bignok said:

Whats the marketing slogan for UK and US?

USA: Little girls have pretty curls but I like Oreos 

U.k. : [To the tune of duke of Earl] Fish fish fish, fish and chips chips chips, fish and chips chips 

Enjoy our sloppy fish and chips or we swear at you and hump your dogs

2 minutes ago, PremiumLane said:

Only in the fevered cheese dreams of the dumb

That's got holes in it! ????

27 minutes ago, dingdongrb said:

Typical Thai discussion:

 

'Have you eaten yet?'

 

 

That's a greeting - - no more odd then asking for someones medical history as in the west... "How are you?" 

Because it is, compared to back in the US. Thais are very intuitive. They sense your mood and are receptive to your demeanor. Usually, when I display light heartedness, humor, a nice smile, and a pleasant attitude, I get that back big time. And I find that invigorating. Especially from very cute, young waitresses! 

 

Not the case in the US. Service staff are heavy hearted, and most do not even detect that you are joking around, that is how seriously they are taking themselves. And few smile back. The US these days is like the new Moscow. Well, that is an exaggeration.

 

Not here. Not at all.