siampreggers Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I am not sure what you mean, but i thought it is perfectly normal to ask the price before you buying something. What I have notice then is whereever i go, people ask me: kin kau jang - have you eaten already Not when buying something, when you have bought something already, something new something different . How much was your car, how much is the sofa, how much was the shoes you are wearing, how much was that shopping you are carrying, etc etc Nope, never. Except a few times when I bought my new motorbike as it was a new model released and different dealers were charging vastly different prices. You sound a bit paranoid to be honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovelaos Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Because they are obsessed by money 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loong Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 With some it may just be nosiness, but for most I think that the Thais just don't like to pass you without some kind of aknowledgement. Don't know why they tend not to ask "how are you today" instead "Where are you going", "Have you earen yet", "What have you bought/will you buy?" when on the way back or to the shop. Even when I am holding my purchase in full view, I will still be asked "Seu arai?" It may seem strange to us, but obviously not to a Thai. With "Tao rai?", being asked how much everything costs. Just my theory, and I may well be wrong. It may stem from the fact that many, if not most shops still do not display prices. By asking people how much they have paid for various items, they will probably be building a database in their brains of what people are paying. This way, when they go out to buy something similar, they may have an idea of what is a fair price to pay and will barter down to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morakot Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 (edited) With "Tao rai?", being asked how much everything costs. Just my theory, and I may well be wrong. It may stem from the fact that many, if not most shops still do not display prices. By asking people how much they have paid for various items, they will probably be building a database in their brains of what people are paying. This way, when they go out to buy something similar, they may have an idea of what is a fair price to pay and will barter down to it. Slightly more complex than this. People are also "building a database"[?] where to put the person who they are asking. Is s/he a person who is taken for a ride by sellers or a good shopper or spender ... Edited August 30, 2012 by Morakot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berkshire Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 ....but on the occasions mentioned above they always ask the wife or the staff in other words another Thai not speak directly to me. So you never spoke directly with the Thais in question? Not picking on you, but this seems to happen a lot when TV members recount their experiences with Thais. It would be explained as if it was a first-person encounter, when in fact it was more of a third-person sort of thing. Like the wife told me what they said, but of course, the wife may have interpreted the whole experience differently (or not explain it clearly). Anyways, actual experiences are usually pretty boring and not as controversial (read interesting) as a story embellished. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelmann Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 No matter what my wife buys she always tells me how much it was................it always appears to be 100 baht??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelmann Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Not that unusual: People are trying to make conversation. You are not excepted to reveal detailed and intimate facts, similarly as one doesn't to the "how are you?" question. The conversational possibilities are usually very wide and one can direct it as one likes. A: What's in the parcel? B1: Something I'd like to send to my relative who always likes a nice surprise. B2: Something my wife put in here. B2: Something I'd like to send to my friend who'll be buying a new house soon. B3: I have forgotten what's in here by this unexpected question. What could it be? [ I am not unfriendly and open to how a conversation develops] B4: A giant sex toy for a person whom I randomly met in a public place. B5: If I tell you the content of this parcel, there will be undesirable consequences. Hope this helps. Have a good day! What's this... TV guide for dummies?!? Id be happy to tell them its the severed head of my nosey neighbour!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JSixpack Posted August 30, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2012 Its just one of those Thai things. No, you'll find it common throughout Asia except from Asians who understand that Westerners consider it an impolite question--and care what Westerners think, as Thais often don't, not that they necessarily should. Asians also find some Western manners & customs impolite or even weird. Deal with it. You moved here. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WebBangkok Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Probably just making conversation Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morakot Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 No matter what my wife buys she always tells me how much it was................it always appears to be 100 baht??? You must be living the life of Riley than! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morakot Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Not that unusual: People are trying to make conversation. You are not excepted to reveal detailed and intimate facts, similarly as one doesn't to the "how are you?" question. The conversational possibilities are usually very wide and one can direct it as one likes. A: What's in the parcel? B1: Something I'd like to send to my relative who always likes a nice surprise. B2: Something my wife put in here. B2: Something I'd like to send to my friend who'll be buying a new house soon. B3: I have forgotten what's in here by this unexpected question. What could it be? [ I am not unfriendly and open to how a conversation develops] B4: A giant sex toy for a person whom I randomly met in a public place. B5: If I tell you the content of this parcel, there will be undesirable consequences. Hope this helps. Have a good day! What's this... TV guide for dummies?!? Id be happy to tell them its the severed head of my nosey neighbour!! Yes, that's B7 ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxme Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Not that unusual: People are trying to make conversation. You are not excepted to reveal detailed and intimate facts, similarly as one doesn't to the "how are you?" question. The conversational possibilities are usually very wide and one can direct it as one likes. A: What's in the parcel? B1: Something I'd like to send to my relative who always likes a nice surprise. B2: Something my wife put in here. B2: Something I'd like to send to my friend who'll be buying a new house soon. B3: I have forgotten what's in here by this unexpected question. What could it be? [ I am not unfriendly and open to how a conversation develops] B4: A giant sex toy for a person whom I randomly met in a public place. B5: If I tell you the content of this parcel, there will be undesirable consequences. Hope this helps. Have a good day! What's this... TV guide for dummies?!? Id be happy to tell them its the severed head of my nosey neighbour!! Yes, that's B7 ... ...and B6? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morakot Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 (edited) ...and B6? Now you're asking. Well for this I recommend you purchase the whole guide. TVF members get a signed copy, plus a complementary DVD with a Step-by-step Guide of Talking to People around the World!! Disclaimer: Other merchandise items are available too. Edited August 30, 2012 by Morakot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxme Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 ...and B6? Now you're asking. Well for this I recommend you purchase the whole guide. TVF members get a signed copy, plus a complementary DVD with a Step-by-step Guide of Talking to People around the World!! There we go... another sales pitcher trying to lure people into a false sense of hope that this gonna be an educational moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
endure Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I am not sure what you mean, but i thought it is perfectly normal to ask the price before you buying something. What I have notice then is whereever i go, people ask me: kin kau jang - have you eaten already That's a standard Thai greeting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post F1fanatic Posted August 30, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2012 Its just one of those Thai things. No, you'll find it common throughout Asia except from Asians who understand that Westerners consider it an impolite question--and care what Westerners think, as Thais often don't, not that they necessarily should. Asians also find some Western manners & customs impolite or even weird. Deal with it. You moved here. Many Thais are 'nosey' to an extent that we find impolite - but I suspect that it depends on the 'class' of the person involved. Far more interesting (to me) are the Western manners and customs that Thais find impolite! Information on this would be greatly appreciated as I would hate to unwittingly cause offense. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morakot Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 ...and B6? Now you're asking. Well for this I recommend you purchase the whole guide. TVF members get a signed copy, plus a complementary DVD with a Step-by-step Guide of Talking to People around the World!! There we go... another sales pitcher trying to lure people into a false sense of hope that this gonna be an educational moment. I know such a let down. I promise, 95% of the profit will go to the charity of choice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rijb Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Sometimes, answering nosey questions with a lie or an exaggeration makes it more fun for me. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post yermanee Posted August 30, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2012 Many Thais are 'nosey' to an extent that we find impolite - but I suspect that it depends on the 'class' of the person involved. Far more interesting (to me) are the Western manners and customs that Thais find impolite! Information on this would be greatly appreciated as I would hate to unwittingly cause offense. Yes indeed. But my guess is that many TV-members don't care if they offend the Thais or not. Just my impression. Yermanee 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OxfordWill Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Its a two way street. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F1fanatic Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Its a two way street. I disagree. We are living in Thailand, so should do our best not to offend the local population. Similarly, as we are living in another country, it is up to us to 'get used' to things we find annoying/offensive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post salavan Posted August 30, 2012 Popular Post Share Posted August 30, 2012 to know the cost of everything but the value of nothing 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexman Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I wouldn't take any offence regarding the inquisitive nature of the Thai's. Interesting remarks about the language. Why would you want to live somewhere and rely on your wife/partner to know what's going on. Surely its for a better life if you can speak a little Thai. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morakot Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Its a two way street. That is profound! Yes, I think you are right that communication is a two way street. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morakot Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 (edited) Thanks Will, we now can revealed B6: A: What's in the parcel? B6: I'm posting this amazing/boring/etc. item... How about you? What're you putting in the post today, good lady? [A two sided approach with an interest in mutual exchange of information and feelings] Edited August 30, 2012 by Morakot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSixpack Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 (edited) Many Thais are 'nosey' to an extent that we find impolite - but I suspect that it depends on the 'class' of the person involved. Far more interesting (to me) are the Western manners and customs that Thais find impolite! Information on this would be greatly appreciated as I would hate to unwittingly cause offense. Yes indeed. But my guess is that many TV-members don't care if they offend the Thais or not. Just my impression. Yermanee True. But offending Thais is always self-defeating. May feel good for the moment of course. I'd also say the Thais generally don't intend to offend farangs. Edited August 30, 2012 by JSixpack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pseudolus Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Many Thais are 'nosey' to an extent that we find impolite - but I suspect that it depends on the 'class' of the person involved. Far more interesting (to me) are the Western manners and customs that Thais find impolite! Information on this would be greatly appreciated as I would hate to unwittingly cause offense. Yes indeed. But my guess is that many TV-members don't care if they offend the Thais or not. Just my impression. Yermanee True. But offending Thais is always self-defeating. May feel good for the moment of course. I'd also say the Thais generally don't intend to offend farangs. You omitted to mention " May feel good for the moment of course" ...right until the point where you get hit from behind by 10 of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayonarax Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 (edited) // Edited August 30, 2012 by Sayonarax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansat Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 To the OP.. Lighten up a bit. Your not very important. It's just the way thai people are. People can ask whatever they want. There is nothing wrong with someone asking a question, if you don't want to answer then it's up to you. But don't start moaning about it.. Tiny little thing and no one cares 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacktrip Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 if it bothers you just say 'mi thai' and they go away. if they try some english just say 'mi english'. this works for me. as i dont speak thai either i am blissfully unaware of the many conversations that go on around me about me, except when 'falang' is uttered, a word i have learned to hate for this very reason. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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