You're in an elevator, you say hi and they don't respond. They are sitting next to you, you greet them and they don't respond. 

 

Some people always seem stressed, what's their problem? Is their jaw to heavy?

Thais tend to ignore strangers unless they have a reason not to. They don't make eye contact at all with strangers in my experience unless talking to them directly. Like in a shop. If they have no business with them they pass by like ships in the night.

I don't think this is especially a Thai thing.

In my condominium building are many nationalities from all over the world. Some say hello, some not, some like to chat, some pretend another person doesn't exist. And it seems all this happens with any nationality.

 

I don't think about if anybody wants to say hello or not. Some people like to talk and make new contacts and maybe new friends. Some don't. Ok, I can live with that. 

This brings me to another interesting aspect of Thai culture, the whole avoidance of getting in people's faces thing. In the Philippines every old broken down jeepney has a horn that works. Many drivers fit air horns to their cars. And they use them, all the time. There is never 10 seconds peace in any half busy street. In Thailand it is the opposite. You almost never hear horns unless a quick beep to let you know they are there, like when they come up behind you in soi 6. Thais avoid confrontation when not drunk or teenager.

 

 

38 minutes ago, zhounan said:

You're in an elevator, you say hi and they don't respond. They are sitting next to you, you greet them and they don't respond. 

 

Some people always seem stressed, what's their problem? Is their jaw to heavy?

What language do you speak to them?

 

A strange foreigner enters an elevator and starts talking to you. Great! I love it when that happens. 🙄

Imagining a Japanese tourist in Scotland in a lift trying to talk to local in Japanese and complaining that they don't respond

Few foreigners understand the Thai hierarchical social structure and how farang don't get onto the first rung of the social ladder. 

Even fewer understand how to show obeisance to those on higher rungs, ie every Thai.

When the right obeisance is not given, offense is taken. 

52 minutes ago, zhounan said:

You're in an elevator, you say hi and they don't respond. They are sitting next to you, you greet them and they don't respond. 

 

Some people always seem stressed, what's their problem? Is their jaw to heavy?

 

Do you wai to strangers as you begin to speak to them? It's a huge ice breaker.

I don't care.  Some Thais are racist.  You can't do anything about racists other than to ignore them.

3 minutes ago, connda said:

I don't care.  Some Thais are racist.  You can't do anything about racists other than to ignore them.

 

Less than in my country and I'll bet my last dollar less than in your country too.

Hang on Guys the OP did not mentioned a conversation he only mentioned saying hi or hey it is used all over the world just like OK every Thai understands. I have been to many countries with different languages, and everybody understand that word. 

beware people greeting you to start a useless boring ennoying conversation, just to get spotlights on them

7 minutes ago, Neeranam said:

Imagining a Japanese tourist in Scotland in a lift trying to talk to local in Japanese and complaining that they don't respond

The OP is not talking about getting into a conversation with Thais - just acknowledging a greeting.

 

Also, IME Scots are very friendly and sociable people. I feel sure that if a foreigner of any nationality said "Hi" or "Hello" (even "Herro") they would greeted with a reciprocal smile, or a nod at least (not talking about the infamous 'Glasgow smile').

1 minute ago, chickenslegs said:

The OP is not talking about getting into a conversation with Thais - just acknowledging a greeting.

 

Also, IME Scots are very friendly and sociable people. I feel sure that if a foreigner of any nationality said "Hi" or "Hello" (even "Herro") they would greeted with a reciprocal smile, or a nod at least (not talking about the infamous 'Glasgow smile').

Good point

I find most Thais to be polite and friendly, however not if the strangers got the wrong posture or is scruffy. Thais are very perceptive.

11 minutes ago, vangrop said:

beware people greeting you to start a useless boring ennoying conversation, just to get spotlights on them

I must admit that I have fallen into that trap more than once. However, in a lift (elevator) in the OP scenario, one can avoid the pain by getting out at the next floor.

You have committed a social faux pas.  They interpret your cordial, pleasant greetings as offensive behavior.  You are not on the same pecking order as them, in their eyes and cultural hierachical rules, and you have no right to interact with them, as they are "superior". 

 

Far cry from the land of smiles facade isn't it?  Only the possibility of a payday will temporarily trump the thai hierachical rules which has ensnared so many.  Develop a thick skin.  I ignore them completely as if they don't exist and eventually they won't. 

13 minutes ago, Mark Nothing said:

You have committed a social faux pas.  They interpret your cordial, pleasant greetings as offensive behavior.  You are not on the same pecking order as them, in their eyes and cultural hierachical rules, and you have no right to interact with them, as they are "superior". 

 

Far cry from the land of smiles facade isn't it?  Only the possibility of a payday will temporarily trump the thai hierachical rules which has ensnared so many.  Develop a thick skin.  I ignore them completely as if they don't exist and eventually they won't. 

 

Most people would be well advised to disregard this out of hand.

1 hour ago, chickenslegs said:

The OP is not talking about getting into a conversation with Thais - just acknowledging a greeting.

 

Also, IME Scots are very friendly and sociable people. I feel sure that if a foreigner of any nationality said "Hi" or "Hello" (even "Herro") they would greeted with a reciprocal smile, or a nod at least (not talking about the infamous 'Glasgow smile').

I think you mean 'Glasgow kiss' in this instance. There is also a 'Glasgow smile' which is much nastier and more permanently damaging - I won't go into the details as it is rather unpleasant. 

maybe they'll talk to you if you pay them. kinda like the quality girls most here get

I haven't noticed that with Thais, i have noticed that it's very common for them to not say thanks if you hold a door or let them pass first

5 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Few foreigners understand the Thai hierarchical social structure and how farang don't get onto the first rung of the social ladder. 

Even fewer understand how to show obeisance to those on higher rungs, ie every Thai.

When the right obeisance is not given, offense is taken. 

Right on.

..and a myriad of other Thai taboos we're not even aware of.

 

Sometimes I wonder what country some of you guys live in. 

 

I have never met anyone thai or farang that did not at least smile or nod if I smiled or said a quick hi to them

 

 

Op must look very scary or like some idiot who want to start a conversation with a total stranger. 

5 hours ago, Neeranam said:

Few foreigners understand the Thai hierarchical social structure and how farang don't get onto the first rung of the social ladder. 

Even fewer understand how to show obeisance to those on higher rungs, ie every Thai.

When the right obeisance is not given, offense is taken. 

In part you are right. I am sure there are enough Thais who just know they are above up on the social ladder.

But it seems there are also enough Thais, obviously from the lower classes, who think they are below us. 

A nod, smile or quiet sawadee kap would be better, if you can see they’re up for such an exchange. Thais can be incredibly uptight about the potential for losing face if they get into a conversation in English and mess it up, so they invariably stay quiet. The hierarchical thing is not really a thing in that instance where foreigners are concerned. But lifts are a funny one in any country, and it can be especially rude to hijack and put locals on the spot with a hi/hello... and particularly if you’re the flip-flop wife-beater-wearing type. Imagine doing the same to a commuter on the NY subway or London Underground! They’d think you a crackpot and take a sidestep. 😀

In the lift scenario here, I’ll typically only say something first if I think they’ll be receptive, and in Thai. Invariably it’s the other way around. 

Saying hello signals interest and further discussion. What do they do then if you keep talking after the greeting and they don't want to hear it?

9 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Saying hello signals interest and further discussion. What do they do then if you keep talking after the greeting and they don't want to hear it?

they would ignore you and keep walking 

7 hours ago, zhounan said:

You're in an elevator, you say hi and they don't respond. They are sitting next to you, you greet them and they don't respond. 

 

Some people always seem stressed, what's their problem? Is their jaw to heavy?

You mean like the canadian woman that I said "hi" to in Chiang Mai and she just glared back???

14 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

Saying hello signals interest and further discussion. What do they do then if you keep talking after the greeting and they don't want to hear it?

 

I agree ....   why would you say hello to a complete stranger ....    and the Thai is thinking that because they certainly don't.   The Thai maybe thinking is this guy a nutcase or something,   and the Thai certainly won't reciprocate if he/she doesn't speak English.  

1 minute ago, steven100 said:

 

I agree ....   why would you say hello to a complete stranger ....    and the Thai is thinking that because they certainly don't.   The Thai maybe thinking is this guy a nutcase or something,   and the Thai certainly won't reciprocate if he/she doesn't speak English.  

I use social cues to determine who I say hello to. If it looks like someone that would be interested in a connection or further chat I will offer a greeting. If it's just a random stranger I won't say anything. That cuts down greatly on people who just don't respond when I say hello.