Just wondering if Thai culture has always been renowned for smiling or is it a recent add on?

Well, one academic argues the genealogy for this trope is from a smiling air hostess picture of Thai airways from decades ago.... But a Thammasat prof specifically refutes this, claiming it goes far back.

But the Thai was only fabricated a couple of centuries back and there must necessarily be benign western contact to get that image so it can't be too old....

I would imagine it goes as far back as the first Thai encountering a non native and non Thai speaking person - cannot communicate - Smile...worth a thousand words!!

First they perfected the smile, then a few weeks later they whipped up, 'Hello hansum man' and the rest, as they say, is history.

I would imagine it goes as far back as the first Thai encountering a non native and non Thai speaking person - cannot communicate - Smile...worth a thousand words!!

They had beer bars even back then ?...

I would imagine it goes as far back as the first Thai encountering a non native and non Thai speaking person - cannot communicate - Smile...worth a thousand words!!

They had beer bars even back then ?...

You quoted the wrong Scotsman!! ^^

I would imagine it goes as far back as the first Thai encountering a non native and non Thai speaking person - cannot communicate - Smile...worth a thousand words!!

They had beer bars even back then ?...

It has been around for some 12 000 years, so I guess yes.

Well, one academic argues the genealogy for this trope is from a smiling air hostess picture of Thai airways from decades ago.... But a Thammasat prof specifically refutes this, claiming it goes far back.

But the Thai was only fabricated a couple of centuries back and there must necessarily be benign western contact to get that image so it can't be too old....

Mmmmmmmm ........

Personally, I think it's nice. In fact, I often smile first, and have never failed to get a smile back.

It's a myth.

I have the impression that people living in the tropical regions smile more, Westerners too.

People smile less if the density of population is high, but it can related more generally on a harmonious daily living..

Some rainy day, when not even the dogs in the alley are smiling, i see flocks of tourists grinning and giggling, well, they are on holiday after all.

Personally, I think it's nice. In fact, I often smile first, and have never failed to get a smile back.

I agree as even in Phuket its very rare for a smile not be returned.

It happens (a couple of times to me), but pretty much anywhere you live, a smile will be returned.

Here in Thailand, I think smiling is 'socially' correct (i.e. its wrong to look sad or bad-tempered), so yes - the smile thing has been around for a long time.

I would imagine it goes as far back as the first Thai encountering a non native and non Thai speaking person - cannot communicate - Smile...worth a thousand words!!

They had beer bars even back then ?...

It has been around for some 12 000 years, so I guess yes.

Germans developed the beer and 12.000 years ago we jumped from tree to tree fight the bear....

is it part of the "invention" of the Thai nation?

I would imagine it goes as far back as the first Thai encountering a non native and non Thai speaking person - cannot communicate - Smile...worth a thousand words!!

They had beer bars even back then ?...

It has been around for some 12 000 years, so I guess yes.

Germans developed the beer and 12.000 years ago we jumped from tree to tree fight the bear....

And drank beers according to Semper

I would imagine it goes as far back as the first Thai encountering a non native and non Thai speaking person - cannot communicate - Smile...worth a thousand words!!

the other theory is that its a nice country to live in, Russians and English all look pretty miserable often to do with climate, long winters etc, Thai are v smiley

I smile when I am happy, and tend to look angry when I am pissed off.

and I am not even Thai

I would imagine it goes as far back as the first Thai encountering a non native and non Thai speaking person - cannot communicate - Smile...worth a thousand words!!

They had beer bars even back then ?...

It has been around for some 12 000 years, so I guess yes.

Germans developed the beer and 12.000 years ago we jumped from tree to tree fight the bear....

I have no idea what this means but I Iike it

Thanks guys

Walk around UK smiling at everyone and pretty soon you'll be classed as a Funny Farm candidiate.

Ignorance is bliss... and with innocent ignorance there is less worry, less concern... its easier to be happy. I see more smiles in the developing nations.

Perhaps one of the negative aspects a universally better education is that in the more developed nations we are always thinking about something, always stressed, always planning, always thinking...

Ignorance is bliss... and with innocent ignorance there is less worry, less concern... its easier to be happy. I see more smiles in the developing nations.

Perhaps one of the negative aspects a universally better education is that in the more developed nations we are always thinking about something, always stressed, always planning, always thinking...

So basically you're saying that the happier you are the dumber you are ?

And drank beers according to Semper

I got thought that christian monks developed the beer, so they have something during the time they shouldn't eat.

So it must be pretty young, much less than 2000 years.

thais smile for a few reasons. such as happy or embaresed etc. its only smiling like we all do! Thais gave themselves the name land of smiles.

Ignorance is bliss... and with innocent ignorance there is less worry, less concern... its easier to be happy. I see more smiles in the developing nations.

Perhaps one of the negative aspects a universally better education is that in the more developed nations we are always thinking about something, always stressed, always planning, always thinking...

So basically you're saying that the happier you are the dumber you are ?

Not quite - Just that a simpler life leads to fewer worries.

Personally, I think it's nice. In fact, I often smile first, and have never failed to get a smile back.

+1 Some day more than hundred times and for some people I took time for years to get smile back.

Is smiling considered a sign of weakness in Thailand if wealthy or Falang people do it?

Walk around UK smiling at everyone and pretty soon you'll be classed as a Funny Farm candidiate.

Unless you're watching an olympic cycling event apparently - where the police get v concerned if you're not looking happy!

But otherwise, I agree with you.

Walk around UK smiling at everyone and pretty soon you'll be classed as a Funny Farm candidiate.

Unless you're watching an olympic cycling event apparently - where the police get v concerned if you're not looking happy!

But otherwise, I agree with you.

Note to self

Learn to spell candidate.

been around ever since they started ripping people off!

been around ever since they started ripping people off!

Another happy camper