Can you imagine how awfully mucky Thailand would be if they DIDN'T sweep perpetually?

 

BTW, up in Bahn Nawk, the incessant sounds of sweeping gets drowned out by the chooks, then the dogs.

3 hours ago, StreetCowboy said:

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.

I'm guessing it's not you who is sweeping. Personally i prefer slippers

Because familiarity with sweeping comes in handy when you want to put things under the rug.

I have also pondered this question, I will be up a ladder doing some work up on high and wife is standing by at ground level helping by passing tools up to me (supposed to be) I call down and ask her for the hammer drill.........

Nothing! I look down and she is round the corner out of ear shot sweeping leaves or something  😄

It's the same in China... When I lived there, I woke up every morning, because someone outside was fervently sweeping around 5.30 a.m. when it was still totally dark.

 

Even after two decades in Asia, I'm still not used to seeing people trying to sweep water from one side to the other after the rain... 😆 

Time for sweeping changes? 😆 

On 11/20/2025 at 1:38 PM, 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. 

Agree, my Issarn wife of 15 yrs has either just finished sweeping the floors or is just about to!

5 hours ago, StreetCowboy said:

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.

What are these shoes and trouser you speak of?

Thongs/ flip flops and shorts are the fashion where I am.

17 hours ago, ronnie50 said:

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

I've often wondered why as well. Maybe a balance thing?

Why do old ladies get around with a tea towel on one shoulder?

Another of life's little mysteries.