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Wai-Ing Your Way Across A Busy Road ...

Jingthing

By Jingthing
in ASEAN NOW Community Pub

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Jingthing Legendary Member

Jingthing

Posted
Posted (edited)

Noticed a late middle aged white man crossing a busy road tonight in Pattaya (2nd road), not at a light, traffic congested but moving slowly.

As he was crossing the road he was doing a rather full WAI to each and every driver who didn't run him over.

I don't remember seeing a spectacle like that before done by either Thais or foreigners. Maybe I never noticed or maybe this is common.

It being in Pattaya, chances are half the drivers weren't even Thai.

Now I sometimes gesture to drivers while crossing roads by making a STOP sign with my right hand. I have seen lots of other people do that as well. But WAI-ing, no. (Usually, I just run!)

WAI-ing across a road --

Is this something you do? Is this something you have seen alot of? Personally I would never WAI my way across a busy road ...

Edited by Jingthing
Jingthing Legendary Member

Jingthing

Posted
  • Author
Posted

WAI did the chicken cross the road?

Back the the WAI-guy, observing him, it looked like all that WAI-ing was just slowing him down. Sure you want drivers to SEE you but I think the general idea is to get to the other side as quickly as possible ...

  • Popular Post
StreetCowboy Star Member

StreetCowboy

Posted
  • Popular Post
Posted

WAI did the chicken cross the road?

Back the the WAI-guy, observing him, it looked like all that WAI-ing was just slowing him down. Sure you want drivers to SEE you but I think the general idea is to get to the other side as quickly as possible ...

I notice it was a very pronounced Wai - indeed, he may have been using a designated High-Wai Crossing

I'll get my coat...

  • Like 4
gmac Gold Member

gmac

Posted
Posted

I like to try to run over the people who put their hand up arrogantly as a stop sign as they cross. Just look and walk and people will give way if you give them time to stop. Wai-ing seems a little extreme.

  • Like 1
StreetCowboy Star Member

StreetCowboy

Posted
Posted

I like to try to run over the people who put their hand up arrogantly as a stop sign as they cross. Just look and walk and people will give way if you give them time to stop. Wai-ing seems a little extreme.

I often wave or hold my my hand up in acknowledgement if someone gives way to me; presumably the gentleman was doing the same in his own cultural way

SC

Jingthing Legendary Member

Jingthing

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I like to try to run over the people who put their hand up arrogantly as a stop sign as they cross. Just look and walk and people will give way if you give them time to stop. Wai-ing seems a little extreme.

I try not to do the stop sign thing very often. So you see that a lot? I think it's pretty common. As I said before, my main tactic is SPEED.

  • Like 1
Jingthing Legendary Member

Jingthing

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I like to try to run over the people who put their hand up arrogantly as a stop sign as they cross. Just look and walk and people will give way if you give them time to stop. Wai-ing seems a little extreme.

I often wave or hold my my hand up in acknowledgement if someone gives way to me; presumably the gentleman was doing the same in his own cultural way

SC

He was not Thai. What culture? Silly tourist?

StreetCowboy Star Member

StreetCowboy

Posted
Posted (edited)

I like to try to run over the people who put their hand up arrogantly as a stop sign as they cross. Just look and walk and people will give way if you give them time to stop. Wai-ing seems a little extreme.

I try not to do the stop sign thing very often. So you see that a lot? I think it's pretty common. As I said before, my main tactic is SPEED.

I was told (vis a vis the Philippines, but it applies pretty much everywhere - but only in relatively slow moving congested traffic)

"Know where the traffic is, and look like you don't. Let them steer round you as you walk calmly across the road, as if it was empty."

If you look like you;ve seen the car, then they will expect you to get out of the way; they won't know if you're going to go left or right, so they have no option but to go straight at you. If you haven;t seen them, they know exactly where you're going to be and they can avoid you. Of course, read the first bit. You might need to leap at the last minute...

SC

Edited by StreetCowboy
Rsquared Silver Member

Rsquared

Posted
Posted

From a western upbringing, for me it is natural to hold my hand up in a "stop" sign gesture when crossing busy roads....if I was the driver of a car and suddenly saw a person crossing the road in busy traffic...weighing...he would get my attention immediately, as it is not something I see as a common occurrence.

Generally though, you see tourists crossing busy roads with their hands held high in a stop gesture......so if the "weighing" works then why not.

Interesting though, thanks for sharing Jing.

Cheers.

khaowong1 Platinum Member

khaowong1

Posted
Posted

I like to try to run over the people who put their hand up arrogantly as a stop sign as they cross. Just look and walk and people will give way if you give them time to stop. Wai-ing seems a little extreme.

I try not to do the stop sign thing very often. So you see that a lot? I think it's pretty common. As I said before, my main tactic is SPEED.

I was told (vis a vis the Philippines, but it applies pretty much everywhere - but only in relatively slow moving congested traffic)

"Know where the traffic is, and look like you don't. Let them steer round you as you walk calmly across the road, as if it was empty."

If you look like you;ve seen the car, then they will expect you to get out of the way; they won't know if you're going to go left or right, so they have no option but to go straight at you. If you haven;t seen them, they know exactly where you're going to be and they can avoid you. Of course, read the first bit. You might need to leap at the last minute...

SC

I think this must be in the Thai drivers manual.. If your coming to a stop sign and turning right, don't look to the left, you might have to stop. blink.png

Exsexyman Gold Member

Exsexyman

Posted
Posted

WAI did the chicken cross the road?

Back the the WAI-guy, observing him, it looked like all that WAI-ing was just slowing him down. Sure you want drivers to SEE you but I think the general idea is to get to the other side as quickly as possible ...

A duck was standing at the side of the road waiting to cross, a chicken ran up to him and said," don't do it mate, you'll never hear the last of it".

I'll get my coat as well!

StreetCowboy Star Member

StreetCowboy

Posted
Posted

WAI did the chicken cross the road?

Back the the WAI-guy, observing him, it looked like all that WAI-ing was just slowing him down. Sure you want drivers to SEE you but I think the general idea is to get to the other side as quickly as possible ...

A duck was standing at the side of the road waiting to cross, a chicken ran up to him and said," don't do it mate, you'll never hear the last of it".

I'll get my coat as well!

You're treading a fine line there, mate. Would've been better with another poultry...

SC

Dancealot Platinum Member

Dancealot

Posted
Posted

WAI did the chicken cross the road?

Back the the WAI-guy, observing him, it looked like all that WAI-ing was just slowing him down. Sure you want drivers to SEE you but I think the general idea is to get to the other side as quickly as possible ...

A duck was standing at the side of the road waiting to cross, a chicken ran up to him and said," don't do it mate, you'll never hear the last of it".

I'll get my coat as well!

You're treading a fine line there, mate. Would've been better with another poultry...

SC

An ostrich perhaps...laugh.png

Shot Platinum Member

Shot

Posted
Posted

" As he was crossing the road he was doing a rather full WAI to each and every driver who didn't run him over. "

So, the drivers he didn’t WAI…ran over him? That's a tough road.

StreetCowboy Star Member

StreetCowboy

Posted
Posted

" As he was crossing the road he was doing a rather full WAI to each and every driver who didn't run him over. "

So, the drivers he didn’t WAI…ran over him? That's a tough road.

More importantly, did the drivers return the Wai out of politeness?

SC

Screech swerve crump

Dancealot Platinum Member

Dancealot

Posted
Posted

" As he was crossing the road he was doing a rather full WAI to each and every driver who didn't run him over. "

So, the drivers he didn’t WAI…ran over him? That's a tough road.

More importantly, did the drivers return the Wai out of politeness?

SC

Screech swerve crump

Would a polite nod suffice as acknowledgement of the given WAI?

Songhua Platinum Member

Songhua

Posted
Posted (edited)

vroom .. wai .. screech

vroom .. wai .. screech

vroom .. ... .. bang

Edited by Songhua
StreetCowboy Star Member

StreetCowboy

Posted
Posted (edited)

" As he was crossing the road he was doing a rather full WAI to each and every driver who didn't run him over. "

So, the drivers he didn’t WAI…ran over him? That's a tough road.

More importantly, did the drivers return the Wai out of politeness?

SC

Screech swerve crump

Would a polite nod suffice as acknowledgement of the given WAI?

The advice I've received is to let Thais take the lead in the Wais, in which case a prompt leap would probably be the appropriate response when a driver wai'd.

EDIT: this would be correctly described as "getting out of the Wai"

Edited by StreetCowboy
  • Like 2
Dancealot Platinum Member

Dancealot

Posted
Posted (edited)

/quote


Screech swerve crump

Would a polite nod suffice as acknowledgement of the given WAI?

EDIT: this would be correctly described as "getting out of the Wai" /endquote

cheesy.gif

It's either "my WAI or the High WAI".

Edited by Dancealot
  • Like 2
StreetCowboy Star Member

StreetCowboy

Posted
Posted

My mate Tom Jones allegedly murdered his girlfriend because she wouldn't adapt to the local customs

"Wai wai wai, Delilah!"

SC

Payboy Diamond Member

Payboy

Posted
Posted

More importantly, did the drivers return the Wai out of politeness?

Probably not because that would need putting down the phone.

StreetCowboy Star Member

StreetCowboy

Posted
Posted

More importantly, did the drivers return the Wai out of politeness?

Probably not because that would need putting down the phone.

I',m worried if they take hold of the phone while Wai'ing they'll need to take their knees off the wheel

  • Like 1
Rob8891 Gold Member

Rob8891

Posted
Posted (edited)

cheesy.gifcheesy.gifcheesy.gifcheesy.gifcheesy.gif

vroom .. wai .. screech
vroom .. wai .. screech
vroom .. ... .. bang

Ye gods! I hate this new quote thingy...... but maybe I was too busy laughing.

Thx! wai.gif

Edited by Rob8891
  • Like 1

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