Is Thailand Really The Land Of Smiles?

[F1fanatic]

But - even in tourist areas - a smile will always generate a smile.

Obviously Thais don't spend their lives smiling, but are more likely to return a smile than in the West.

And this applies even to the lowest paid Thais that have nothing to gain.

[GreenSnapper]

But - even in tourist areas - a smile will always generate a smile.

Obviously Thais don't spend their lives smiling, but are more likely to return a smile than in the West.

And this applies even to the lowest paid Thais that have nothing to gain.

The people who smile most are middle class tourists from PC countries. Their guidebook says that this is the land of smile and you must be polite and appreciate the most wonderful people in the world.

A typical conversation:

"Oh, you cannot believe, these people here are so lovely. Incredible! We met this wonderful Tuk-Tuk driver who always smiled. He only charged us 200 Baht to go to Wat Po. But because Wat Po is closed over noon, he was so friendly to bring us to his family's shop and introduced us to his brother and mother! What a nice way to experience a foreign culture. And everybody was smiling, so welcoming!

Yes, the shop sold gems, and we got some fantastic bargain, you cannot believe! And later, this Tuk-Tuk driver took us to Wat Po when it was open again. For free!

I love those Buddhists, wonderful, honest people, always happy and deeply spiritual! "

That sort of tourists smile most.

[F1fanatic]

You could be right, but I've lived here for a few years and have found that a smile provokes the same in response.

Living in a tourist area, its often in suprise - but even so, I think a genuine response.

[TommoPhysicist]

But - even in tourist areas - a smile will always generate a smile.

As the previous poster (Bender) said, your smile is seen as a sexual offer.

They smile back to say ..... OK.

But then you walk away, very confusing for them.

Edited July 19, 2012 by TommoPhysicist

[JSixpack]

All is relative anyway. Compared to, say, Vietnam or Japan, Thailand is definitely LOS. You really notice the difference after you travel to those countries. You can argue that people are generally more sincere there than here--but that isn't the topic.

Both, Vietnam and Japan, have much more friendly people in general.

I'm always shocked when I return to BKK and see all the grumpy attitudes here.

You can't be serious. The Japanese are absolutely not friendlier people than the Thais. They're not bad people, just not friendly. I lived in Japan a few years, so know a little bit about those folks.

Agreed.

Make the shopping cart test! In a supermarket, accidentally bump your cart against someone else's cart then smile by way of apology and say "excuse me" or "sorry," too. In VN or JPN, you won't get any smile even if you smile. You might get a look of annoyance or no look at all, just a moving away or waiting for you to move. In Thailand (or even in the USA), you'll usually get a smile, esp. if you smile.

It's also easy to joke around with Thais and very helpful sometimes for getting cooperation. I joked around the other day w/ a bank teller, telling her I wanted an exchange rate "peeset," or "special." It was the kind of word you'd use for ordering extra food. She and her fellow employee smiled and laughed and suddenly we were on a more informal, friendly level. A Japanese bank teller, forget it.

[barky]

Ask burmese people if thailand is the land of smile...

Back home, somebody smiling means that he is happy/nice people/good mood... in thailand their smile have a total different meaning.

You can take it like a grimace or a tension/contortion of their face.

That why many foreigner are fooled by their "mask".

I had a problem with a Thai neighbour, so I asked someone in my Thai family how to deal with the issue. He said smile each time you see him so if you want to take revenge he won't think it's you; said it's Thai style! So I said but Thai's also smile with their eyes, response was foreigners don't understand Thai smiles...

Spot on.

And also even thai people dont see their country as the land of smile. In all these years that i have riding the subway, i dont see people more smiling here than anywhere else. Its just a pure myth from looney foreigner, who dont have thai friend, canot speak the language perpetuated over and over again. .

Thai people are human being, they are not immune from pain, sickness, bad luck, emotional distress.... They do suffer also, they dont smile all time long. It would be completely weird.

I did talk with many thai friend about this famous smile. Here their answer:

_a thai friend told me he doesnt smile as people will think he is a simple mind, or crazy.

_a thai friend, a girl, told me she doesnt smile to local stranger as they would take it like sexual offer, and she will find getting raped...

_a thai friend told me if you want to avoid weird local people coming to you, just dont smile. No smile == no problem in the future.

Exactly correct. I figured out years and years ago that smiling ONLY invites bother. Like: where you go? what you want? you want watch,massage,young girl/boy,suit etc etc. The only exception is if a Thai smiles at me first, I will gladly return the smile.

[arminbkk]

I've asked this many times, but maybe my interpretation of "Land of Smiles" is wrong.

Would think it means:

- people smile more than compared to other countries

- people smile, despite hardship, despite being poor etc etc, they are positive and happy with what little they have, and therefore can smile

- people are welcoming and open

- people are friendly

And friendly would mean:

- people smile even they do not know you

- people will return your friendly smile, even if they do not know you

- people will smile even though they are not in a particularly good mood at that moment

etc etc

Guess the above does not apply to the Thai smile.

Perhaps someone can explain what the Thai smile is all about.

I don't think I would be expecting too much if someone in the service industry, or selling whatever, should at least smile a bit,

instead of an indifferent attitude and dismal expression, yet some posters consider that normal.

Guess the "Land of Smiles" is just a slogan that the general Thai didn't pick, but a few not so bright marketeers

that think it will hold up.

I used to smile a lot more , but then started doing as Thais do , which is not really working for me either

[Ulysses G.]

Maybe you are doing something to make them not smile, because it only happens to me infrequently.The Thais sure smile a lot more than people back in the West.

[Ulysses G.]

I don't think I would be expecting too much if someone in the service industry, or selling whatever, should at least smile a bit,

They are people, not robots, and have different personalities but most Thais in the service industry are very personable compared to other countries.

[siamamerican]

Thailand is the land of fun and the smiles may or may not come. If you stay here long enough, unfavorable comparisons to other countries always surface. Quick cure, in most cases, is to go back home where inevitably the joy of Thailand is missed in no time. I catch myself making the comparisons but stopped taking them seriously. Enjoy what we have here and evolve with the changes which are altering Thailand for the better IMO. It won't be as fun for many x-pats but Thailand will be a developed nation soon with all the dullness (IMO).

We just aren't all that important in the grand scheme of things anymore in Thailand and the excitement has long disappeared. Sure, in many cases, it has been replaced with disgust but generally speaking many x-pats are socially challenged and get what they deserve.

If you need Thais to smile at your superior white arse, then it is time to seek professional help back home or meds.

Edited July 20, 2012 by siamamerican

[Ulysses G.]

If you need Thais to smile at your superior white arse, then it is time to seek professional help back home or meds.

That made ME smile.

[hellodolly]

All is relative anyway. Compared to, say, Vietnam or Japan, Thailand is definitely LOS. You really notice the difference after you travel to those countries. You can argue that people are generally more sincere there than here--but that isn't the topic.

Both, Vietnam and Japan, have much more friendly people in general.

I'm always shocked when I return to BKK and see all the grumpy attitudes here.

You can't be serious. The Japanese are absolutely not friendlier people than the Thais. They're not bad people, just not friendly. I lived in Japan a few years, so know a little bit about those folks.

Agreed.

Make the shopping cart test! In a supermarket, accidentally bump your cart against someone else's cart then smile by way of apology and say "excuse me" or "sorry," too. In VN or JPN, you won't get any smile even if you smile. You might get a look of annoyance or no look at all, just a moving away or waiting for you to move. In Thailand (or even in the USA), you'll usually get a smile, esp. if you smile.

It's also easy to joke around with Thais and very helpful sometimes for getting cooperation. I joked around the other day w/ a bank teller, telling her I wanted an exchange rate "peeset," or "special." It was the kind of word you'd use for ordering extra food. She and her fellow employee smiled and laughed and suddenly we were on a more informal, friendly level. A Japanese bank teller, forget it.

Never been to V N or Japan so I can't say but I live in Thailand and what you say about the Thai's I see in my normal life is rite on.

[hellodolly]

Thailand is the land of fun and the smiles may or may not come. If you stay here long enough, unfavorable comparisons to other countries always surface. Quick cure, in most cases, is to go back home where inevitably the joy of Thailand is missed in no time. I catch myself making the comparisons but stopped taking them seriously. Enjoy what we have here and evolve with the changes which are altering Thailand for the better IMO. It won't be as fun for many x-pats but Thailand will be a developed nation soon with all the dullness (IMO).

We just aren't all that important in the grand scheme of things anymore in Thailand and the excitement has long disappeared. Sure, in many cases, it has been replaced with disgust but generally speaking many x-pats are socially challenged and get what they deserve.

If you need Thais to smile at your superior white arse, then it is time to seek professional help back home or meds.

I never make comparisons just look at the different ways of doing things.

As for losing the excitement that is a choice. If you choose to look no farther than your fence it is not going to be that exciting. For myself the excitement will never go away. There is always new places to go to new scenes to be enjoyed and the cost of travel in this part of the world is cheap.

Fact is the only thing that holds me back is finances to do all these things.Back in North America because of growing up there it was just own a home and sit there waiting to die with maybe a two week vacation every year. There is so much more to do and see here that I am unfamiliar with and is affordable.

[jackr]

The duff service industry smile is as ubiquitously fake as it has always been, but the real one from general, everyday folk is still there. IMO, the Southern smile is more genuine than the Northern... could be the Chinese connection.

[maxme]

The duff service industry smile is as ubiquitously fake as it has always been, but the real one from general, everyday folk is still there. IMO, the Southern smile is more genuine than the Northern... could be the Chinese connection.

How's the southern smile more genuine?

[siamamerican]

Thailand is the land of fun and the smiles may or may not come. If you stay here long enough, unfavorable comparisons to other countries always surface. Quick cure, in most cases, is to go back home where inevitably the joy of Thailand is missed in no time. I catch myself making the comparisons but stopped taking them seriously. Enjoy what we have here and evolve with the changes which are altering Thailand for the better IMO. It won't be as fun for many x-pats but Thailand will be a developed nation soon with all the dullness (IMO).

We just aren't all that important in the grand scheme of things anymore in Thailand and the excitement has long disappeared. Sure, in many cases, it has been replaced with disgust but generally speaking many x-pats are socially challenged and get what they deserve.

If you need Thais to smile at your superior white arse, then it is time to seek professional help back home or meds.

I never make comparisons just look at the different ways of doing things.

As for losing the excitement that is a choice. If you choose to look no farther than your fence it is not going to be that exciting. For myself the excitement will never go away. There is always new places to go to new scenes to be enjoyed and the cost of travel in this part of the world is cheap.

Fact is the only thing that holds me back is finances to do all these things.Back in North America because of growing up there it was just own a home and sit there waiting to die with maybe a two week vacation every year. There is so much more to do and see here that I am unfamiliar with and is affordable.

Agree but as for losing excitement, I was refering to Thais losing interest in us and not my situation. Still having fun personally and expect to many more good than bad days here in the future.

[Tchooptip]

Everywhere, except in places for tourists.

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESIR GOOD ANSWER !

I did lived for 7 years on my boat in Antibes (French Riviera) where it's even worst, tourist (maybe) called the region the land of grin? For they are considered as walking wallet, for instance 1kg tomatoes 7,5 € sometimes more! On the other hand one should see how many tourist behaved, on the little beach its 50% sand 50% butts, some do not care to go shopping in swimsuit, after midnight hard to find a group of passerby not completely drunk shouting in the street, not to mention the various brawls everywhere. As far as Thailand is concern I have watch some videos on Phuket at night... I swore I will never go to Phuket! When I met my wife first she was reluctant telling me "I do not want to be a Farang's Girl Friend" then she discovered I was a Buddhist ( I was way before coming to Thailand) She is from Isaan, but worked for a company in Koh Samui after divorcing her Thai husband , the couple owning 3 shops they where not poor people, so she had a terrible opinion of the Farangs for she told me, in various occasions old men proposed her money for boum boum, in the streets in broad daylight or even in Big C or Testo Lotus, it takes a certain time to convince her all Farangs are not same! So personally I understand the way some Thais considered many Farangs. One day surfing the web for subjects relating to Thailand I unexpectedly stumbled across a Porn Site where they called poor young Thai girls " Street meat" I was and still am DISGUSTED! It is insulting the whole country,I do not know where this site is located but videos where of course shot in Thailand, I wish they could be caught by Thai police for the bastards to rot in jail for years!

OK Thai people are not perfect, but I am afraid many Farangs are not either, for unfortunately the word respect was never part of their vocabulary!

[MrRealDeal]

People treat you pretty close to the way you treat them most of the time , if you are not getting smiles you are probabbly not smiling at others very much.

I smile and enjoy others being happy but I also am not especially concerned if complete strangers who don't know me reserve their decision to smile or not until they do get to know me.

Thai people smile at me in Tourist areas from north to south and in non tourist areas , why ? Because I am a happy person and it's hard to frown when your having fun !

[true blue]

My wife who like me is a Farang says yes " They always smile when they take your money " !!!!!!

they generally wai me which i think is very polite,

[Globalight]

My wife who like me is a Farang says yes " They always smile when they take your money " !!!!!!

they generally wai me which i think is very polite,

They Know I have nothing and everything I have done is on the surface, Thai's are a great people for accepting

failure and smiling at a pickier apex predator..

[maxme]

My wife who like me is a Farang says yes " They always smile when they take your money " !!!!!!

they generally wai me which i think is very polite,

They Know I have nothing and everything I have done is on the surface, Thai's are a great people for accepting

failure and smiling at a pickier apex predator..

Thai's are like any other people, the difference is the manner we were brought up with. It's a hard picking between the farangs assumptious and delusive superiority and the Thais insecurity. Both of these flaws present nothing but trouble. Just treat them like any ordinary people and you will just do fine.

[Globalight]

My wife who like me is a Farang says yes " They always smile when they take your money " !!!!!!

they generally wai me which i think is very polite,

They Know I have nothing and everything I have done is on the surface, Thai's are a great people for accepting

failure and smiling at a pickier apex predator..

Thai's are like any other people, the difference is the manner we were brought up with. It's a hard picking between the farangs assumptious and delusive superiority and the Thais insecurity. Both of these flaws present nothing but trouble. Just treat them like any ordinary people and you will just do fine.

Actually I treat the THAI's as superior to a certain extent, I don't want them to slide me into the stereotype of a farang with 'delusive superiority'. I find the insecurity is common in all cultures, I think Thai's are more Considerate than most of us Westerners in most social situations. I do find that the perpetual state of gossip about us in front of our faces in the Thai language is extremely rude but other than that, they aint all dat bad..

[aechzen]

Land of smile !!! because the moon smile !!! and me tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Edited July 22, 2012 by aechzen

[mikecwm]

Slightly off topic.

I met and spent about a month with a New Zealand woman on my first trip to Thailand (1992 I think). She had spent most of her recent years living in London.

New Zealand Maoris call their land - Aoteroa - "Land of the long White Cloud".

Her name for London was "Land of the long white face".

Yep, Thailand is definitely an improvement on London.

[notime]

They never fail to smile when they say they don't have something or cannot do what you asked for. It's like denial gives them an utmost pleasure: no .. don't have .. :-)

[JulesMad]

For me the big difference is that (most) Thai people smile (back) at you when you look at them and smile! When you try that in the West, many people get aggressive and ask: "what you're looking at?"

There are many different Thai smiles:

1. Yim thang nam taa: The “I’m so happy I’m crying” smile.

2. Yim thak thaai: The “polite” smile for someone you barely know.

3. Yim cheun chom: The “I admire you” smile.

4. Fuen Yim: The stiff smile, also known as the “I should laugh at the joke though it’s not funny” Smile.

5. Yim mee lessanai: The smile which masks something wicked in your mind.

6. Yim yaw: The teasing, or “I told you so” smile.

7. Yim yae-yae: The “I know things look pretty bad but there’s no point in crying over spilt milk” smile.

8. Yim sao: The sad smile.

9. Yim haeng: The dry smile, also known as the “I know I owe you the money but I don’t have it” smile.

10. Yim thak thaan: The “I disagree with you” smile, also known as the “You can go ahead and propose it but your idea’s no good” smile.

11. Yim cheua-cheuan: The “I am the winner” smile, the smile given to a losing competitor.

12. Yim soo: “smiling in the face of an impossible struggle” smile.

13. Yim mai awk: The “I’m trying to smile but can’t” smile.

14. Yim som tam: The “Waiter, there’s a dead crab in my salad!” smile. (ok, this one was completely made up. But I’m sure I’ve given it myself a few times…).

Also:

The smile of hopelessness. The situation is so bleak, you've got nothing better to do but offer a pathetic smile. Example: you've just been mugged, had your passport and money stolen, and your Embassy won't bother making a phone call on your behalf except at super expensive direct dial rates.

The polite smile. Example: you've just met four strangers who are sure to bore you to tears with stories about the size of corn ears, but you have to smile, shake their hands, and say it was great to meet them.

The nervous apologetic smile. Example: you accidentally put vodka instead of Sprite in 9-yr old Junior's glass. Junior drank it ... eagerly .. and is now vomiting, and your wife is accusing you of trying to turn Junior into an alcoholic. The forced smile. Example: the corrupt and evil mayor of town wins the next major election. Your parents are good friends of this crook, so you have to attend his victory party to congratulate him.

The smile of diffusion, to get past embarrassing and awkward situations. Example: you've just been elected the new corrupt mayor of your town, and your 20-yr old daughter emerges drunken and nude at your congratulatory dinner to call you a crook.

The inappropriate hidden smile. You want to smile but it's inappropriate to do so. Example: Your cruel live-in mother-in-law just died, and your wife is in tears. You feel like you got a new lease on life but you can't act glad about the news in front of her.

The victory smile. Example: You're Harry Potter and you just beat Draco Malfoy's team at Quidditch. The admiration smile. Example: you're part of an evil terrorist cell and your leader has just suggested what everyone feels is a brilliant plan to blow up an entire country of innocent people.

The happy smile. The smile you expect to see on someone's face in light of good news. Example: you've just approached two dream women at a bar, boldly suggested a threesome, and they both agreed to it!

The evil smile. Example: how a used car salesman would look just before he's about to overcharge you on the lemon you're going to buy from him.

The attitude smile. When you have the attitude you're right and everyone else is wrong. Example: Tom Cruise's rants on The Today Show about psychiatry bordering on pseudoscience

The mocking smile. Example: you're in the audience of The Today Show or The Oprah Winfrey Show as Tom Cruise goes on his embarrassing rants. You smile at him and shout in humor, "You tell 'em, Tom!"

The sad smile. You're feeling tremendously sad but must cover it up. Example: Tom Cruise is your favorite actor, you've worshipped him for two decades, and now you've just painfully watched your idol make a fool of himself on The Today Show just before a dozen guests show up at your house for a dinner party you're hosting.

So, in the end the question is: WHO smiled at you and for what reason???

[kerrysum]

Poor Baby, I'm so sorry...... Wahhhhhhhhhhhhh

Thailand has changed over the years... They now work long hours, maybe you caught them at the end of the shift....... Some work many jobs to put food on the table...... When you have a smile.....? They will notice it, respect? understanding? Cha cha Khrap..... Slow down you're going to fast, you got to make the morning last! Gee was that Simon and Garfunkel? Sorry.... Feeling Groovy ............

[simple1]

For me the big difference is that (most) Thai people smile (back) at you when you look at them and smile! When you try that in the West, many people get aggressive and ask: "what you're looking at?"

There are many different Thai smiles:

1. Yim thang nam taa: The “I’m so happy I’m crying” smile.

2. Yim thak thaai: The “polite” smile for someone you barely know.

3. Yim cheun chom: The “I admire you” smile.

4. Fuen Yim: The stiff smile, also known as the “I should laugh at the joke though it’s not funny” Smile.

5. Yim mee lessanai: The smile which masks something wicked in your mind.

6. Yim yaw: The teasing, or “I told you so” smile.

7. Yim yae-yae: The “I know things look pretty bad but there’s no point in crying over spilt milk” smile.

8. Yim sao: The sad smile.

9. Yim haeng: The dry smile, also known as the “I know I owe you the money but I don’t have it” smile.

10. Yim thak thaan: The “I disagree with you” smile, also known as the “You can go ahead and propose it but your idea’s no good” smile.

11. Yim cheua-cheuan: The “I am the winner” smile, the smile given to a losing competitor.

12. Yim soo: “smiling in the face of an impossible struggle” smile.

13. Yim mai awk: The “I’m trying to smile but can’t” smile.

14. Yim som tam: The “Waiter, there’s a dead crab in my salad!” smile. (ok, this one was completely made up. But I’m sure I’ve given it myself a few times…).

Also:

The smile of hopelessness. The situation is so bleak, you've got nothing better to do but offer a pathetic smile. Example: you've just been mugged, had your passport and money stolen, and your Embassy won't bother making a phone call on your behalf except at super expensive direct dial rates.

The polite smile. Example: you've just met four strangers who are sure to bore you to tears with stories about the size of corn ears, but you have to smile, shake their hands, and say it was great to meet them.

The nervous apologetic smile. Example: you accidentally put vodka instead of Sprite in 9-yr old Junior's glass. Junior drank it ... eagerly .. and is now vomiting, and your wife is accusing you of trying to turn Junior into an alcoholic. The forced smile. Example: the corrupt and evil mayor of town wins the next major election. Your parents are good friends of this crook, so you have to attend his victory party to congratulate him.

The smile of diffusion, to get past embarrassing and awkward situations. Example: you've just been elected the new corrupt mayor of your town, and your 20-yr old daughter emerges drunken and nude at your congratulatory dinner to call you a crook.

The inappropriate hidden smile. You want to smile but it's inappropriate to do so. Example: Your cruel live-in mother-in-law just died, and your wife is in tears. You feel like you got a new lease on life but you can't act glad about the news in front of her.

The victory smile. Example: You're Harry Potter and you just beat Draco Malfoy's team at Quidditch. The admiration smile. Example: you're part of an evil terrorist cell and your leader has just suggested what everyone feels is a brilliant plan to blow up an entire country of innocent people.

The happy smile. The smile you expect to see on someone's face in light of good news. Example: you've just approached two dream women at a bar, boldly suggested a threesome, and they both agreed to it!

The evil smile. Example: how a used car salesman would look just before he's about to overcharge you on the lemon you're going to buy from him.

The attitude smile. When you have the attitude you're right and everyone else is wrong. Example: Tom Cruise's rants on The Today Show about psychiatry bordering on pseudoscience

The mocking smile. Example: you're in the audience of The Today Show or The Oprah Winfrey Show as Tom Cruise goes on his embarrassing rants. You smile at him and shout in humor, "You tell 'em, Tom!"

The sad smile. You're feeling tremendously sad but must cover it up. Example: Tom Cruise is your favorite actor, you've worshipped him for two decades, and now you've just painfully watched your idol make a fool of himself on The Today Show just before a dozen guests show up at your house for a dinner party you're hosting.

So, in the end the question is: WHO smiled at you and for what reason???

Wow, no wonder Thai's say foreigners don't understand Thai smiles Got to admire your command of the Thai language

[Aforek]

Everywhere, except in places for tourists.

Agreed!

Agreed 2

Agreed 3

Every day I see Thais smiling at me or at other Thais; I must say that I smile easily and Thai people feel it;

farangs who say that smile has disappeared from Thailand should ask to themselves: "why thai people don't smile at me ?"

[canuckamuck]

Land of smiles is a slogan, not a law.

They may not smile all day, but only a halfwit does that. Thai people are more interested in having fun than most other Asians, and they also try to avoid complicated or uncomfortable situations. If you are of the same mind it is likely you will get more genuine smile than the next guy.

Foreigners can make a situation awkward pretty fast.