HeavyDrinker Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I was flummoxed yesterday. As I had my Sunday afternoon snifter down Lower Suk I saw some bloke with one of them sniffy nose thingies sniffing away at it like billy-o. When he copped me looking at him he said "It's a Thai thing" and carried on sniffing away. All the girls were having a right ding dong at the poor chap. It did make me wonder just what the bloke was thinking as he didn't seem particularly "sinusy" to me... It got me wondering as to what Thai habits I may have picked up on and I was horrified to realise that I do say "err" a lot especially when the wife is on at me . Has anyone else picked up any Thai habits (good or bad) while here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoonToong Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I have picked up the habit of not thinking too much Feels great 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mauGR1 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 My favourite Thai habit is to leave the shoes out of one's home. For many habits, Thai or not Thai, it's a matter of respect and good manners. The sniffy thing.. Well, honestly, it seems a bit ridiculous to me..A girlie thing anyway, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris1dna Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Picking my nose in public comes to mind. Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StreetCowboy Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 To eur is human SC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 The nasal sniffers do come in handy. They are excellent at killing the stench when one is handling garbage or dead bodies. I have one in my bag. They come in 2 parts: The nose insert and the screw off reservoir at the bottom. If you ever have an opportunity to watch the folks that remove the dead bodies that have been sitting in a room for a few days, you'll notice they smear a bit of the liquid under their nostrils before entering the room. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyDrinker Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 Picking my nose in public comes to mind. Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app I've been doing that since I was 5.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barefoot1988 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 i start pointing at things using my lips 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaktam Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 The err thing, when I hear westerners using it I can't help but cringe as I think it sounds fairly ridiculous, especially when their Thai is limited. This is one habit I have left behind and don't plan on using. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StreetCowboy Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 The nasal sniffers do come in handy. They are excellent at killing the stench when one is handling garbage or dead bodies. I have one in my bag. They come in 2 parts: The nose insert and the screw off reservoir at the bottom. If you ever have an opportunity to watch the folks that remove the dead bodies that have been sitting in a room for a few days, you'll notice they smear a bit of the liquid under their nostrils before entering the room. I can't believe you let the bodies get high before you dispose of them. Have you tried carrying them onto the BTS, as if assisting a friend or acquaintance who is the worse for strong drink, and then leaving them there as if in a state of peaceful repose? SC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyDrinker Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 The err thing, when I hear westerners using it I can't help but cringe as I think it sounds fairly ridiculous, especially when their Thai is limited. This is one habit I have left behind and don't plan on using. Me and the missus use English all the time pretty much and I still do it. It's horrible. We have an Indian friend who's Thai wife has adopted the "Indian Head Wobble" from him and so when they come over for drinks we have to get that in stereo when they wish to display their indifference to a statement... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 you'll notice they smear a bit of the liquid under their nostrils before entering the room. Seems a common thing by Thais is to stick some Tigerbalm up there for various purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyDrinker Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 you'll notice they smear a bit of the liquid under their nostrils before entering the room. Seems a common thing by Thais is to stick some Tigerbalm up there for various purposes. I have heard so many theories on the sniffy things that the mind boggles however I do buy into the "Small Nose" theory, which is that some Thais (in particularly women) feel they can't breathe properly because of their nasal shape. Rummy but there is a certain logic there... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wayned Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I'm sure the sniffer or tiger balm is welcome when the 5' Thai is standing next to the 6' + Farang on the BTS who is holding the hand rail and not use to this climate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP25 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Those nose sniffer things are menthol, I always carry one on me. They are nice given the horrible stuffy climate in Thailand, makes it a bit easier to breath. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Those nose sniffer things are menthol, I always carry one on me. They are nice given the horrible stuffy climate in Thailand, makes it a bit easier to breath. One of the components in Tigerbalm also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeavyDrinker Posted November 12, 2012 Author Share Posted November 12, 2012 A tip: If you've been applying Tiger balm to a bite or whatever; don't then go for a wazz without washing your hands.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 A tip: If you've been applying Tiger balm to a bite or whatever; don't then go for a wazz without washing your hands.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chicog Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 The err thing, when I hear westerners using it I can't help but cringe as I think it sounds fairly ridiculous, especially when their Thai is limited. This is one habit I have left behind and don't plan on using. Me and the missus use English all the time pretty much and I still do it. It's horrible. We have an Indian friend who's Thai wife has adopted the "Indian Head Wobble" from him and so when they come over for drinks we have to get that in stereo when they wish to display their indifference to a statement... Indifference? The wobble can mean more than indifference. It can signify Yes, No, I don't know, I agree with you, I disagree with you, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DP25 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Those nose sniffer things are menthol, I always carry one on me. They are nice given the horrible stuffy climate in Thailand, makes it a bit easier to breath. One of the components in Tigerbalm also. Yeah the ingredients are similar. The one in my pocket lists Menthol 42% Camphor 16.4% Eucalyptus Oil 8.5% Borneol 6.1% Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gweiloman Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Washing with bum gun? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Payboy Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Picking my nose in public comes to mind. Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app I've been doing that since I was 5.... Bit of a slow learner, are you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uptheos Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 The nasal sniffers do come in handy. They are excellent at killing the stench when one is handling garbage or dead bodies. I have one in my bag. They come in 2 parts: Dead body?? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StreetCowboy Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 The err thing, when I hear westerners using it I can't help but cringe as I think it sounds fairly ridiculous, especially when their Thai is limited. This is one habit I have left behind and don't plan on using. Me and the missus use English all the time pretty much and I still do it. It's horrible. We have an Indian friend who's Thai wife has adopted the "Indian Head Wobble" from him and so when they come over for drinks we have to get that in stereo when they wish to display their indifference to a statement... Indifference? The wobble can mean more than indifference. It can signify Yes, No, I don't know, I agree with you, I disagree with you, etc. It means "Yes". What "Yes" means, we can only speculate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohnnyBKK Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 I like the sniffers just as a bit of a pick-me-up, less of a downside than caffeine/sugar hit. Many of these come from the fact that I've spent 95% of my time over the past five years with Thais that don't speak English. I point with a lift of the nose and pursed lips, say "Aow!" when I'm surprised, smile when I'm angry all the normal body language stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tywais Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 say "Aow!" when I'm surprised, smile when I'm angry all the normal body language stuff. Have to admit I do the 'oiy' bit with a grunt sometimes. I leave the Aow! to the wife. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigJohnnyBKK Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Also if I see one of the younger members of the household doing something they've been told off for before, I use the Thai-style throat signal, a quick abrupt rising-tone growl, a bit like just the first half of the western throat clearing up-and-down. Very effective with soi dogs too, must often be followed by a swift kick. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharlieH Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 (edited) Habits I've learned and adopted: Driving the wrong way up a dual carriageway as its too far to go and U-turn. Stopping the car wherever I want, space or not. Never give way to anyone ever. Not reacting to bad service. smile and walk away. The one I cant seem to grasp is peeing whenever and wherever it suits me..........tried but just cant do that. Edited November 12, 2012 by CharlieH 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eek Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 Sniffers are great. Other habits, hmm.. i dont really think about it much. Suppose one is the fact i now find it a bit weird using a knife and fork rather than a spoon and fork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobalt60 Posted November 12, 2012 Share Posted November 12, 2012 "Darling, no say urrr" "OK, you dont like me using ? " "Urr" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.png.3b3332cc2256ad0edbc2fe9404feeef0.png)
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now