Dear Folks,

 

What is your first vivid memory…Day One…after awakening on your first morning, here in sunny Thailand?

 

I know what it was…Because your memory is the same as mine.

 

You awoke to the sound of sweeping.

 

And, as long as you might live in Thailand, it is the sound of sweeping that you will hear, morning, noon, and night.

 

Why do Thai people sweep so much?

 

Do you have any idea(s)?

 

I have an idea.

 

The reason Thai people sweep so much is due to a very famous series of books which has been taught in Thai elementary schools, …since the dawn of time.

 

If you have been in Thailand long enough, then you will know the famous, and beautiful, series of stories to which I refer.

 

These grade-school stories are so memorable, and remarkable..

These stories instill in children, at an early age, the importance of sweeping.

I love these stories.

 

However, sometimes, I become tired of the everlasting sound of sweeping.

 

Also, who knows how much you truly know about Thailand, if you know nothing about brooms in Thailand?

 

If you know a thing, or two, about Thailand, then you will admit that the sound of sweeping is one of the most significant sounds that you will ever associate with life in Thailand.

 

Still, why do people continue to sweep, even into very old age?

I mean, some people here, though they can hardly walk at age 95, still keep on sweeping.

They really do….!!!

 

Digging deeper, what is the true meaning of all this sweeping?

 

As we can see, there is a broom here in Thailand for almost any occasion.

 

Seemingly, this sweeping behavior is not ENTIRELY about policing the area, because it seems to go beyond this, maybe into the realm of…the ethereal.

 

Sweep, sweep, sweep.

 

You will hear the sound of the brooms beginning early in the morning, and late into the night, every day.

 

I am not saying this is like handwashing behavior.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Best regards,

Gamma

 

Note: I actually like the sound, since this sound was my first fond memory of my first full day in Thailand.

 

Note2:  Sweeping sounds, and the sounds of roosters…These are the two most peculiarly lovable sounds unique only to Thailand.

 

Note3: I prefer an all-natural broom.  What about yours?

 

 

 

Traditionally Thais spend a lot of time on the floor...sitting in circles eating on the floors, just sitting around talking or drinking on the floors, and sleeping on the floors. So they have extra concern about keeping the floors clean and free from dust/dirt. That's why they leave the shoes outside, they don't want filth from the street brought in onto the floors where they sit, eat, and sleep. In many Thai's homes the floor will be spotless as they are constantly sweeping the floors, but if you look up you'll see cobwebs and stuff dangling from the ceiling, they don't care about that because they're not in physical contact with the ceilings. 

Perhaps the Thais like a brush with the law?

42 minutes ago, grain said:

Traditionally Thais spend a lot of time on the floor...sitting in circles eating on the floors, just sitting around talking or drinking on the floors, and sleeping on the floors. So they have extra concern about keeping the floors clean and free from dust/dirt. That's why they leave the shoes outside, they don't want filth from the street brought in onto the floors where they sit, eat, and sleep. In many Thai's homes the floor will be spotless as they are constantly sweeping the floors, but if you look up you'll see cobwebs and stuff dangling from the ceiling, they don't care about that because they're not in physical contact with the ceilings. 

 

Your argument, based on observation, makes perfect sense, and so, of course, I agree with you.

 

However, does your reasoning entirely explain why people here spend even more time sweeping outside their homes, even sweeping, sometimes for an hour, the road in front of their homes?

 

Also, what about sweeping in Temples?

 

Have you noticed the volunteers who congregate in the mornings to sweep the grounds of temples?

 

And then, why for example....is it that some monks are allowed no other exercise, other than sweeping?

 

Would you care to elucidate further regarding these culturally important points?

 

Please do not misunderstand the purpose of this Topic.

I find all this sweeping absolutely endearing.

And, I just want to increase my understanding of the true meaning behind the broom, here in Thailand.

 

There is far more here than meets the eye.

 

We can compare Japan with Thailand, two cultures in which people spend much time on the floor.

Yet, only in Thailand, as far as I am aware, will you see this extreme level of sweeping behavior.

 

Why is this, do you know?

 

 

Paths, roads , Chimneys  I know it's terrible isin't , they never stop, dawn

till dusk there at it ,do they not have anything better to do.and the people

that criticize them ..

 

regards worgeordie

2 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Dear Folks,

 

What is your first vivid memory…Day One…after awakening on your first morning, here in sunny Thailand?

 

I know what it was…Because your memory is the same as mine.

 

You awoke to the sound of sweeping.

 

And, as long as you might live in Thailand, it is the sound of sweeping that you will hear, morning, noon, and night.

 

Why do Thai people sweep so much?

 

Do you have any idea(s)?

 

I have an idea.

 

The reason Thai people sweep so much is due to a very famous series of books which has been taught in Thai elementary schools, …since the dawn of time.

 

If you have been in Thailand long enough, then you will know the famous, and beautiful, series of stories to which I refer.

 

These grade-school stories are so memorable, and remarkable..

These stories instill in children, at an early age, the importance of sweeping.

I love these stories.

 

However, sometimes, I become tired of the everlasting sound of sweeping.

 

Also, who knows how much you truly know about Thailand, if you know nothing about brooms in Thailand?

 

If you know a thing, or two, about Thailand, then you will admit that the sound of sweeping is one of the most significant sounds that you will ever associate with life in Thailand.

 

Still, why do people continue to sweep, even into very old age?

I mean, some people here, though they can hardly walk at age 95, still keep on sweeping.

They really do….!!!

 

Digging deeper, what is the true meaning of all this sweeping?

 

As we can see, there is a broom here in Thailand for almost any occasion.

 

Seemingly, this sweeping behavior is not ENTIRELY about policing the area, because it seems to go beyond this, maybe into the realm of…the ethereal.

 

Sweep, sweep, sweep.

 

You will hear the sound of the brooms beginning early in the morning, and late into the night, every day.

 

I am not saying this is like handwashing behavior.

 

Any thoughts?

 

Best regards,

Gamma

 

Note: I actually like the sound, since this sound was my first fond memory of my first full day in Thailand.

 

Note2:  Sweeping sounds, and the sounds of roosters…These are the two most peculiarly lovable sounds unique only to Thailand.

 

Note3: I prefer an all-natural broom.  What about yours?

 

 

 

Yet another absolutely pointless post made up in the mind of GG, And he has the audacity to suggest that MY memory is the same as his. 

Need one of triggers brooms!

 

 

If they wear slippers or keep shoes on there's no need to sweep so often

3 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

If they wear slippers or keep shoes on there's no need to sweep so often

Would dirt and dust not fall from a person's shoes if they keep them on? Then a brushing, or vacuuming would be needed. 

More newbies asking the question, "Why can't they be more like me and my country's culture?"

3 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Why do Thai people sweep so much?

Dust litter and general cleanliness. My wife and I both walk and run early each morning, travelling or not. 95% of the time we are up and out by 6:15 in almost every town the street sweepers are hard at work. Paid for by the government. All over Thailand. Dust is a huge problem here, something I cant figure out with the humid climate. Houses are mopped and streets are swept daily. Something that is not done back in my home country. Birds and streetsweepers the early morning sounds of Thailand. 

31 minutes ago, marin said:

general cleanliness

Why does their breath smell so bad then?

 

31 minutes ago, marin said:

street sweepers are hard at work. Paid for by the government

You mean paid for by the taxpayer!

 

31 minutes ago, marin said:

Dust is a huge problem here, something I cant figure out

Here, I'll do it for you then : it's either someone building or burning something near your house.

 

32 minutes ago, marin said:

Birds and streetsweepers the early morning sounds of Thailand. 

What about the drunk local driving 100KM an hour with his modded up scooter exhaust to compensate for the size of the led in his pencil??

 

Eric.

1 hour ago, Will Iam Not said:

Would dirt and dust not fall from a person's shoes if they keep them on? Then a brushing, or vacuuming would be needed. 

but if everyone wears slippers or shoes it's not an urgent job that needs to be done daily, of course if people are bare feet then you have to sweep constantly otherwise dirt gets on the sofa, bed etc

1 hour ago, worgeordie said:

Paths, roads , Chimneys  I know it's terrible isin't , they never stop, dawn

till dusk there at it ,do they not have anything better to do.and the people

that criticize them ..

 

regards worgeordie

 

Fortunately for the locals, there are very few chimneys to sweep in Thailand.

 

 

And down, and down, and down, and down...and down he goes.... (Hendrix)....

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Stressed Eric said:

What about the drunk local driving 100KM an hour with his modded up scooter exhaust to compensate for the size of the led in his pencil??

Quite a lot of modern scooters use LEDs, and of course many of the boy racer variety, but I have never seen them in a pencil!

 

Quite handy for writing things in your notebook in the dark I suppose.

6 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Also, what about sweeping in Temples?

Sweeping is a core duty for Theravada monks; they have to do it daily, in predetermined times, on general temple grounds; even more sweeping is happening before religious observances like the Uposatha, to present the temple at its best, as there will be more visitors.

 

In case of the forest monasteries, monks also nede to sweep clear a path from their kuti and a small stretch for daily walking meditation. If you have ever been bitten by a centipede hidden under leaves, you know why.

 

Besides practicality and cleanliness, sweeping has also a symbolic meaning in Theravada, representing the responsibility of monks to maintain and purify their mind. As monks have told me, they see it as quite cathartic.

...and why do they put one hand behind their back when sweeping ..

5 hours ago, marin said:

Houses are mopped and streets are swept daily. Something that is not done back in my home country.

 

Your home country sounds like the dirtiest place on Earth if houses are only mopped and streets swept once in a blue moon.

2 hours ago, jts-khorat said:

As monks have told me, they see it as quite cathartic.

 

Correct.

 

Also, since they are not permitted to lift weights, or engage in swimming competitions, this is really the only form of exercise available to them.

 

The act of rhythmic sweeping is the best exercise for both body and mind, except for one that I would like to mention:

 

 

I think curling is my favorite sweeping exercise to watch on TV.

.

Also, I think girls make the best sweepers.

 

 

7 hours ago, jts-khorat said:

Sweeping is a core duty for Theravada monks; they have to do it daily, in predetermined times, on general temple grounds; even more sweeping is happening before religious observances like the Uposatha, to present the temple at its best, as there will be more visitors.

 

In case of the forest monasteries, monks also nede to sweep clear a path from their kuti and a small stretch for daily walking meditation. If you have ever been bitten by a centipede hidden under leaves, you know why.

 

Besides practicality and cleanliness, sweeping has also a symbolic meaning in Theravada, representing the responsibility of monks to maintain and purify their mind. As monks have told me, they see it as quite cathartic.

In the marine base they are constantly sweeping the roads, sweeping seems to be a satisfying job, maybe a form of meditation 

7 hours ago, OJAS said:

Your home country sounds like the dirtiest place on Earth if houses are only mopped and streets swept once in a blue moon.

WTF, who said that?  Thick comment 

18 hours ago, grain said:

Traditionally Thais spend a lot of time on the floor...sitting in circles eating on the floors, just sitting around talking or drinking on the floors, and sleeping on the floors. So they have extra concern about keeping the floors clean and free from dust/dirt. That's why they leave the shoes outside, they don't want filth from the street brought in onto the floors where they sit, eat, and sleep. In many Thai's homes the floor will be spotless as they are constantly sweeping the floors, but if you look up you'll see cobwebs and stuff dangling from the ceiling, they don't care about that because they're not in physical contact with the ceilings. 

Exactly

Because the air is dusty n shi.tty and they walk around in their bare feet and sit on the floor a lot. 

19 hours ago, grain said:

Traditionally Thais spend a lot of time on the floor...sitting in circles eating on the floors, just sitting around talking or drinking on the floors, and sleeping on the floors. So they have extra concern about keeping the floors clean and free from dust/dirt. That's why they leave the shoes outside, they don't want filth from the street brought in onto the floors where they sit, eat, and sleep. In many Thai's homes the floor will be spotless as they are constantly sweeping the floors, but if you look up you'll see cobwebs and stuff dangling from the ceiling, they don't care about that because they're not in physical contact with the ceilings. 

Like my Inlaws they dont care about the Grout lines in the Floor  Tiles that harbor all sorts of  insects

15 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

but if everyone wears slippers or shoes it's not an urgent job that needs to be done daily, of course if people are bare feet then you have to sweep constantly otherwise dirt gets on the sofa, bed etc

I’d not want to condemn people to wearing shoes because I was too lazy to sweep.  It’s a joy to doff your shoes when you get home, and makes it a lot easier to get your trousers off.

9 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Correct.

 

Also, since they are not permitted to lift weights, or engage in swimming competitions, this is really the only form of exercise available to them.

 

The act of rhythmic sweeping is the best exercise for both body and mind, except for one that I would like to mention:

 

 

I think curling is my favorite sweeping exercise to watch on TV.

.

Also, I think girls make the best sweepers.

 

 

Curling is one of the best TV sports, and Eurosport does a great job showing international curling around the globe, and up and down the globe.

Many Thais are absolute clean freaks, and that's a very admirable quality. Especially when someone else is doing the cleaning! 

' cause the brooms suck

They are in dire need for sweeping reforms.

18 hours ago, kwak250 said:

Need one of triggers brooms!

 

 

 

"This old broom has had 17 new heads and 14 new handles in its time..."