Questions

[bhoydy]

Here's a question, i've recently been asked a lot. How much money do you make? So without being impolite how do you say you'd rather not say. In Thailand this is not a question that bothers any one, but i'd rather not broadcast my wage around the neighbourhood.

[DavidHouston]

Here's a question, i've recently been asked a lot. How much money do you make? So without being impolite how do you say you'd rather not say. In Thailand this is not a question that bothers any one, but i'd rather not broadcast my wage around the neighbourhood.

May I suggest, "พอเลี้ยงชีพได้" = "Enough to live on."

[phaethon]

May I suggest, "พอเลี้ยงชีพได้" = "Enough to live on."

Good answer... very tactful

Now, how do you say "Enough to barfine your sister/mother"?

[goldfish]

Now, how do you say "Enough to barfine your sister/mother"?

You should find it in your thai phasebook, just before 'Can you direct me to the nearest hospital, please?'

[DavidHouston]

Might one offer the following for consideration:

"ผมเป็นคนไม่มั่นมีแต่ไม่ยากจนด้วย ผมก็มีรายได้พใช้ แต่ไม่เหลือเฟือ ผมถือหลักเศรษฐกิจพอเพียง"

I am not a rich man; but I am not poor either. I have enough income to spend but not any excess. I believe in the principles of the “sufficiency economy”.

How can anyone disagree with that humility and wisdom?

[tgeezer]

Here's a question, i've recently been asked a lot. How much money do you make? So without being impolite how do you say you'd rather not say. In Thailand this is not a question that bothers any one, but i'd rather not broadcast my wage around the neighbourhood.

The answer to this question is 'not enough' ไม่พอ same in any language.

Edited December 9, 2008 by tgeezer

[Jay_Jay]

This might be a good time to introduce the word 'เสือก' - 'seuak' - low tone

.. loosely translated "Go stick your !@#$ nose in someone else's business why don't ya!"...

ok - maybe better not to use this word unless you're looking to make enemies and quite possible cop a backhander. It is one of those words however that where in just one syllable you can change the entire mood of a room!

[CSS]

Here's a question, i've recently been asked a lot. How much money do you make? So without being impolite how do you say you'd rather not say. In Thailand this is not a question that bothers any one, but i'd rather not broadcast my wage around the neighbourhood.

I appreciate the cultural considerateness shown in your question. While we are in Thailand it is not a rude question (though it would be in my home country) so it shouldn't be returned with a rude answer. It should be answered politely or politely avoided. Both are perfectly acceptable. DavidHouston's response is excellent. While I lived in Thailand, depending on the context I would either tell them what I made or use something like ก็พอใช้อยู่นะครับ gôr por chái yòo ná kráp It's an appropriately vague answer equivalent to something like "I make enough."

[yoot]

If you don't want to talk about it with the one who asks you, then, just say "ความลับครับ"(it's a secret) and smile and then walk away.

Or, "แค่พอกินพอใช้ครับ ไม่ได้มากมายอะไร". It should be able to stop them to ask more.

[desi]

The answer to this question is 'not enough' ไม่พอ same in any language.

My favourite so far as it's short.

Another one I like to avoid is 'how much (did that cost)?'

I usually reply แพง! or ไม่แพง or shrug my shoulders ไม่รู้.

(all three are quicker than counting on my fingers and toes to get to the total...