morpho Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 (edited) I have lived in Chiang Mai for 2 years now and prior to moving here in 2011, I had traveled extensively around the country for 10 years. I also have traveled extensively in Vietnam, Cambodia and the Philippines. One thing that I have noticed during my time living here is how so many Thai people, men and women, seem unable to look me in the eye when they see me. Just walking down the street and people either look away or look down. There are exceptions, mostly from young children and older people, but the majority of people in the middle seem to act in this way. Now I know I'm not the most handsome guy in the world but I'm also not the ugliest. Plus Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Filipino people act totally different, especially in Vietnam where most of the people have no hesitation to look right at me and to even strike up a conversation. In Thailand, I am assuming this has something to do with "maintaining face" but I really don't know for sure and am curious to know if others ever notice this and have an opinion. Edited July 9, 2013 by morpho Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NaiGreg Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 The topic should read "Why can't Thai people look ME in the eye?" The OP presumes incorrectly that Thai people don't make eye contact ('sop taa') with normal people. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaiLai Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 The topic should read "Why can't Thai people look ME in the eye?" The OP presumes incorrectly that Thai people don't make eye contact ('sop taa') with normal people. Define "normal" pls. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Chittychangchang Posted July 9, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted July 9, 2013 Maybe you look scary to them so they avoid eye contact. Pretty similar to most Western cities. Eye contact is seen as an invitation to talk and 99% of cats prefer not to talk to random strangers whilst walking down the road due to the amount of Nutters and wild dogs out there. CCC 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David48 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Direct eye contact is considered in some Cultures as being quite aggressive. Length of contact could also a perceptionaly based ... maybe your perception is biased? Would be from the US per chance? Just questions ... could be wrong. I'm off to look in the mirror ... . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HardenedSoul Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Maybe the OP's hard on the eye Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weegee Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 No Asian will look you in the eye....when they are telling an outright lie, to your face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Songhua Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Maybe the OP's hard on the eye Or three foot six. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thailand Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Interesting. I had a friend who was living here before we arrived in the early 2001. He referred to this as the "no look". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheryl Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 If you are in CM city may have more to do with city living. I'm from New York City and people never look strangers in the eye there, only people they know or intend to interact with. It's an urban thing, one of many mechanism for allowing people some personal space and privacy despite living crammed together. In the countryside you'll find people more likely to make (brief) eye contact and smile an acknowledgement. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rijb Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 This site does a pretty good job of explaining eye contact in Thailand and other countries. You might want 'explore your cultural baggage' while you're there. http://www.culturecrossing.net/basics_business_student.php?id=203 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swissie Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 If you are in CM city may have more to do with city living. I'm from New York City and people never look strangers in the eye there, only people they know or intend to interact with. It's an urban thing, one of many mechanism for allowing people some personal space and privacy despite living crammed together. In the countryside you'll find people more likely to make (brief) eye contact and smile an acknowledgement. Countryside: Brief eye-contact is the rule while smiling. Also upon walking the village street and crossing the pathway of a female, a slight nod of the head is all the Farang gets with no eye contact whatsoever. Very different in Pattaya: There the Farang gets so much Eye-Contact, it could make a grown man dizzie. (And usually does). Sometimes I wonder, if all this happens in the same country. Cheers. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickjn Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 You might as well admit it you are the same as me ugly as a hat full of arse holes 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toybits Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Its like I'm left-handed. Why don't right handed people shake my hand using their left hand? What's wrong with you guys? Don't go about expecting everyone (Thai's in particular) to adapt to YOU! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandman77 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 I belive Thai people think you want talk with them , but the don't want before loosing the face canot speak English look down or run away! Cambodia totally different ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barefoot1988 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 few days ago in cm, a poor bloke got assaulted and chased by 2 men in a bike chase. with a samurai blade, all the way till the police station. for looking into one of the guy eyes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sustento Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 The topic should read "Why can't Thai people look ME in the eye?" The OP presumes incorrectly that Thai people don't make eye contact ('sop taa') with normal people. Define "normal" pls. Those who Thai people are willing to look in the eye... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sustento Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Maybe the OP's hard on the eye Or three foot six. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaiLai Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 The topic should read "Why can't Thai people look ME in the eye?" The OP presumes incorrectly that Thai people don't make eye contact ('sop taa') with normal people. Define "normal" pls. Those who Thai people are willing to look in the eye... Fair enough.....lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
arthurwait Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 They think you are going to ask for change. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NanLaew Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 Christ on a bike! What IS it with farangs from Chiang Mai? Listen... do NOT drink the moat water, OK?! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farang000999 Posted July 9, 2013 Share Posted July 9, 2013 OP sounds like a strange one, walking about hoping someone will make eye contact with him. Maybe get a hobby where you can meet people? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kikoman Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 In some cultures eye contact or the staring of one person to another is considered as an offensive act, and will result in a much different reaction than the one expected. What is acceptable in one culture does not mean it is acceptable in another culture, could have a completely different meaning. Cheers: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seajae Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 probably because most thais are short <deleted> and if they look up at you they get the sun in their eyes and have to squint so its easier not to look at you............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scottythai Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Never understand why a guy writes a thread gets a ton of answers then never comes bacl. 17 posts troll thread maybe? Either was it's safe to say with the Avi that says Marine Corps Build Men pict he is from the States. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geriatrickid Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Unfortunately, I get a lot of the Thai style stares. Might be my pasty complexion or the outfit I'm wearing, but stare they do. The only exception seems to be in some of the retail outlets, when I need assistance. Nope, not even a glance. They'll swarm when I'm browsing, but not when I need something. I do get the eye contact when I visit some restaurants/alehouses. The staff certainly are sizing me up. My friend says it's because they are wondering how I squeezed myself into some of my clothes. I think he's hinting I am chubby. Nice friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rust Never Sleeps Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 In Australia making eye contact leads to four scenarios, you get a pleasant smile,you get harassed by a lonely person,you get asked for money or you get beaten up. I think at the end of the day it is all about the human instinct of survival .So lets not judge Thai people on your personal observations. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loptr Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I have noticed the same thing in various locales in Thailand. People just won't make eye contact, much like they won't smile or nod or even say ka / khap when you hold the door for them. I've been in the Philippines for the last few weeks and everyone here to a person will make eye contact and smile when approaching them on the street, in the mall or anywhere for that matter. Some of the friendliest people I have met anywhere. In the US, it is the culture of fear that has been forced on the people for the last umpteen years. It wasn't that way when I was a kid growing up there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayroo Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 few days ago in cm, a poor bloke got assaulted and chased by 2 men in a bike chase. with a samurai blade, all the way till the police station. for looking into one of the guy eyes what a load of BS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Payboy Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Why can't Thai people look you in the eye? That would mean looking up from the iPad, iPhone, etc. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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