Do you wai?

[AYJAYDEE]

then your village must be dysfunctional

[thaibeachlovers]

then your village must be dysfunctional

Who said I live in a village?

I said I live in a town.

[AYJAYDEE]

then your village must be dysfunctional

Who said I live in a village?

I said I live in a town.

dysfunctional in any event

[David48]

<Thais are more polite then that.>

That statement makes me wonder just how well you actually know Thais.

It's right up there with the TAT propaganda that Thais never get angry in public, and always, always smile ( where I live, light years away from tourism, hardly any Thais smile ).

<I don't know the exact words to reply to that remark>

If all the Thais you see around are smiling, either you live in falang Thailand, or you have never lived in a Thai town without tourists.

I'm not saying that they never smile, but they certainly don't more than people would in, eg, London.

BTW, I'm not talking about ones interacting with me, just those passing by.

Humm ... most of the guys here know me, but since we haven't had the pleasure thaibeachlovers, I'll introduce myself.

When I live in Thailand it's on a Farm ... surrounded by Thai Farmers.

I actually might comfortable go weeks without seeing a white face.

Even in the TESCO, you mightn't spot one.

As for how we live ... a simple lifestyle

This how we get around ... then take a mini/van, bus or taxi.

As you can see ... lot's of smiling faces there.

[thaibeachlovers]

<Thais are more polite then that.>

That statement makes me wonder just how well you actually know Thais.

It's right up there with the TAT propaganda that Thais never get angry in public, and always, always smile ( where I live, light years away from tourism, hardly any Thais smile ).

<I don't know the exact words to reply to that remark>

If all the Thais you see around are smiling, either you live in falang Thailand, or you have never lived in a Thai town without tourists.

I'm not saying that they never smile, but they certainly don't more than people would in, eg, London.

BTW, I'm not talking about ones interacting with me, just those passing by.

Humm ... most of the guys here know me, but since we haven't had the pleasure thaibeachlovers, I'll introduce myself.

When I live in Thailand it's on a Farm ... surrounded by Thai Farmers.

I actually might comfortable go weeks without seeing a white face.

Even in the TESCO, you mightn't spot one.

As for how we live ... a simple lifestyle

This how we get around ... then take a mini/van, bus or taxi.

As you can see ... lot's of smiling faces there.

I wasn't talking about villages or farmers. I was referring to Thai people living in the town where I live,

[thaibeachlovers]

then your village must be dysfunctional

Who said I live in a village?

I said I live in a town.

dysfunctional in any event

Yes, it's very dysfunctional, as the maintenance money gets stolen by the usual culprits and the place is falling apart.

[AYJAYDEE]

then your village must be dysfunctional

Who said I live in a village?

I said I live in a town.

dysfunctional in any event

Yes, it's very dysfunctional, as the maintenance money gets stolen by the usual culprits and the place is falling apart.

perhaps if you wai'd more?

[anto]

T.B.L. i think you live in Lampang ? from what you said on another Forum .Anyway where i live ,8 km outside Central Chiang Mai the locals have more often a smile than not .The old people ( 60+ )seem not to smile so much though .

As for giving a Wei ,no i mostly just nod my head .

[khunPer]

Though I commend Khun Per for his enthusiasm, you are making a fool of yourself. A part of being respectful is learning the when and why and how of things. A lot of your examples are similar to a 60 year old calling a a 20 year old "Sir"

Thai people smile and laugh usually when they are uncomfortable. So most likely you are assuming that they are smiling at you as a sign of friendliness but most likely they are just too polite to tell you that they think you are silly and may even make them feel uncomfortable.

When I first came to Thailand, I met a student outside of class and I wai'd her but her facial reaction was distinctive that I did something wrong. I just made her feel uncomfortable because she didnt' expect it and though I was trying to be respectful I was doing the opposite. I made her feel old.

Learn the culture and the rules or just be a tourist.

Thank you Zeichen, for making me aware of the Thai culture.

I do not mind being a “silly farang”, but I do mind make Thais feel uncomfortable. I have just followed what I have been taught by Thais and what I see other Thais do. From reading the posts in this tread, it seems like many of us farang do not know the social “rules” of when to wai and when not, everything from never wai'ing at all to wai'ing soi dogs. As you seem to be a specialist, I believe it will be very positive, if you kindly will tell us how we alians, who like to live on more permanent in Thailand and be accepted as long way as possible, shall act.

Thanks you in advance.

[zeichen]

"so you respect the culture of corruption, exploitation of the masses by the hiso's, appalling driving habits on the roads and lack of infrastructure maintenance resulting in such fiascos as trains frequently falling off the tracks, all of which are part of the Thai "way of life"?"

Bitter much?

Really seems like you made some bad life decisions. Personally, I don't live in the same world that you do let alone country.

I respect the culture of devotion to family, forgiving and ignoring small things, sharing even though you might have little. But apparantly you don't see those things.

I really wonder how you could marry a Thai woman and fully love her with such disdain for her culture, way of life, education, etc.

There are things that definitely tick me off about Thailand and its government, however those things are so minute to the quality of life and community that I have. My neighbors do treat me with respect, equality and fairness. They love my duaghter and treat her very well. I am never treated as you describe yourself to be, but that is perhaps because I respect their way of life first and have proven myself. Respect is earned.

Most Thai's I know are impressed that I know a lot about the history of the country, food,and other cultural aspects.

I stopped comparing Thailand to my home country about 6 months after I got here. I realized that my way of life, upbringing, education shouldn't be the ideal. That I can respect that there are as many ways of doing things as there are people on this planet.

The other thing you might want to look at is how you act. On page 8 of this thread alone you posted 11 responses but there were only 10 responses from everyone else. It is clear that you like yourself and think that you are the only one worth listening to. So it is clear no matter where you live you will never respect or appreciate anything.

I do feel sorry for you actually.

[Cbr150r]

It is also a little complex too. There is 'protocol'.

Exactly, and this is why I don't wai. I know there's different positions you should put your hands in, different depths you should bow your head, and so on, and all depending on who you're wai'ing. I have no clue where my fingers should be in relation to my nose, or how far my head should be down, so it's simple... I just don't wai.

As Westerners we are forgiven our social faux pax. The intention to show respect is greater than the act itself.

Thus refusing outright to wai may be seen as disrespectful conversely attempting a flawed wai will be recognised as a positive attempt.

Exactly. How complex is it to wai an elder that you respect, is in a respected position, or to wai back a younger Thai that you wish to show respect (don't have to wai this group every time). I can't think of a time I gave a wai to a respected elder and they didn't wai back. Yes flawed wai is over looked

[ableguy]

The semi-annual Wai topic. Never gets old.

Why not ?

[mauGR1]

"so you respect the culture of corruption, exploitation of the masses by the hiso's, appalling driving habits on the roads and lack of infrastructure maintenance resulting in such fiascos as trains frequently falling off the tracks, all of which are part of the Thai "way of life"?"

Bitter much?

Really seems like you made some bad life decisions. Personally, I don't live in the same world that you do let alone country.

I respect the culture of devotion to family, forgiving and ignoring small things, sharing even though you might have little. But apparantly you don't see those things.

I really wonder how you could marry a Thai woman and fully love her with such disdain for her culture, way of life, education, etc.

There are things that definitely tick me off about Thailand and its government, however those things are so minute to the quality of life and community that I have. My neighbors do treat me with respect, equality and fairness. They love my duaghter and treat her very well. I am never treated as you describe yourself to be, but that is perhaps because I respect their way of life first and have proven myself. Respect is earned.

Most Thai's I know are impressed that I know a lot about the history of the country, food,and other cultural aspects.

I stopped comparing Thailand to my home country about 6 months after I got here. I realized that my way of life, upbringing, education shouldn't be the ideal. That I can respect that there are as many ways of doing things as there are people on this planet.

The other thing you might want to look at is how you act. On page 8 of this thread alone you posted 11 responses but there were only 10 responses from everyone else. It is clear that you like yourself and think that you are the only one worth listening to. So it is clear no matter where you live you will never respect or appreciate anything.

I do feel sorry for you actually.

Sorry, Khun zeichen, it's obvious that your rose-tinted glasses are still on...

Although i don't share entirely " thaibeachlovers" negativity, i understand it quite well.

I hope your romance will last long, but i am afraid it will not last forever.

Just saying..

[AYJAYDEE]

"so you respect the culture of corruption, exploitation of the masses by the hiso's, appalling driving habits on the roads and lack of infrastructure maintenance resulting in such fiascos as trains frequently falling off the tracks, all of which are part of the Thai "way of life"?"

Bitter much?

Really seems like you made some bad life decisions. Personally, I don't live in the same world that you do let alone country.

I respect the culture of devotion to family, forgiving and ignoring small things, sharing even though you might have little. But apparantly you don't see those things.

I really wonder how you could marry a Thai woman and fully love her with such disdain for her culture, way of life, education, etc.

There are things that definitely tick me off about Thailand and its government, however those things are so minute to the quality of life and community that I have. My neighbors do treat me with respect, equality and fairness. They love my duaghter and treat her very well. I am never treated as you describe yourself to be, but that is perhaps because I respect their way of life first and have proven myself. Respect is earned.

Most Thai's I know are impressed that I know a lot about the history of the country, food,and other cultural aspects.

I stopped comparing Thailand to my home country about 6 months after I got here. I realized that my way of life, upbringing, education shouldn't be the ideal. That I can respect that there are as many ways of doing things as there are people on this planet.

The other thing you might want to look at is how you act. On page 8 of this thread alone you posted 11 responses but there were only 10 responses from everyone else. It is clear that you like yourself and think that you are the only one worth listening to. So it is clear no matter where you live you will never respect or appreciate anything.

I do feel sorry for you actually.

Sorry, Khun zeichen, it's obvious that your rose-tinted glasses are still on...

Although i don't share entirely " thaibeachlovers" negativity, i understand it quite well.

I hope your romance will last long, but i am afraid it will not last forever.

Just saying..

what romance??

[kevozman1]

<Thais are more polite then that.>

That statement makes me wonder just how well you actually know Thais.

It's right up there with the TAT propaganda that Thais never get angry in public, and always, always smile ( where I live, light years away from tourism, hardly any Thais smile ).

Yes, the polite thing does remind me of some crap straight out of Lonely Planet guide. I would say that general civility is not sky high in Thailand at all and lower than a lot of other places I have visited.

The smiling part you mentioned I have to disagree with, in my experience Thais overall are very smiley characters, from Bangkok to Isaan to touristy towns they smile all the time, like a lot of SEA. The sanuk lifestyle is still alive and kicking and is one of their more admirable qualities for sure. Maybe you are living in rare town full of grumpy Thais?

Edited October 24, 2013 by kevozman1

[IsaanUSA]

Besides my required wai's at my Muay Thai gym, I basically only ever wai my friends' family members. Aunts, uncles, moms, dads, grandparents, etc.

If I am caught not wai'ing at the gym, the punishment is 100 pushups. (Enter building, go on gym floor, enter the ring, leave the ring, leave the gym floor, leave the building)

[theblether]

T.B.L. i think you live in Lampang ? from what you said on another Forum .Anyway where i live ,8 km outside Central Chiang Mai the locals have more often a smile than not .The old people ( 60+ )seem not to smile so much though .

As for giving a Wei ,no i mostly just nod my head .

I stay ( ed ) in the Chiang mai Gate area, I hardly see anyone wai'ing on a daily basis. Maybe the Thais gave given up wai'ing in farang ghettos.

Maybe members should keep a count in the next couple of days as to how many times they are offered a wai. I reckon some would be shocked at how little it can be.

[AYJAYDEE]

T.B.L. i think you live in Lampang ? from what you said on another Forum .Anyway where i live ,8 km outside Central Chiang Mai the locals have more often a smile than not .The old people ( 60+ )seem not to smile so much though .

As for giving a Wei ,no i mostly just nod my head .

I stay ( ed ) in the Chiang mai Gate area, I hardly see anyone wai'ing on a daily basis. Maybe the Thais gave given up wai'ing in farang ghettos.

Maybe members should keep a count in the next couple of days as to how many times they are offered a wai. I reckon some would be shocked at how little it can be.

in our village, constantly

[wwest5829]

No, never. It's not my culture.

Leave it to the Thais.

What he says!

I don't nod or smile randomly at strangers either, makes you look slightly retarded.

Always smiling....it's an American thing. You can fault us for looking stupid but it usually makes folks wonder

What we are up to! Yes, I know sometimes no good but the average Yank is a friendly person.

[ToddWeston]

T.B.L. i think you live in Lampang ? from what you said on another Forum .Anyway where i live ,8 km outside Central Chiang Mai the locals have more often a smile than not .The old people ( 60+ )seem not to smile so much though .

As for giving a Wei ,no i mostly just nod my head .

I stay ( ed ) in the Chiang mai Gate area, I hardly see anyone wai'ing on a daily basis. Maybe the Thais gave given up wai'ing in farang ghettos.

Maybe members should keep a count in the next couple of days as to how many times they are offered a wai. I reckon some would be shocked at how little it can be.

Once today - check out at Tesco.

[TheSpade]

I've always been under the impression that it wasn't correct for foreigners to wai and with their being so many different wai's for different situations and people I didn't try to learn.

Very few people wai me so I don't feel like I need to learn really.

[AYJAYDEE]

I've always been under the impression that it wasn't correct for foreigners to wai and with their being so many different wai's for different situations and people I didn't try to learn.

Very few people wai me so I don't feel like I need to learn really.

as long as youre comfortable with their opinion of you, there is no need.

[khunPer]

T.B.L. i think you live in Lampang ? from what you said on another Forum .Anyway where i live ,8 km outside Central Chiang Mai the locals have more often a smile than not .The old people ( 60+ )seem not to smile so much though .

As for giving a Wei ,no i mostly just nod my head .

I stay ( ed ) in the Chiang mai Gate area, I hardly see anyone wai'ing on a daily basis. Maybe the Thais gave given up wai'ing in farang ghettos.

Maybe members should keep a count in the next couple of days as to how many times they are offered a wai. I reckon some would be shocked at how little it can be.

Countless many times today – and I am not talking about Tesco cash line or door people – as everyday where I live. Thais here are polite and wai, and I of course wai back.

[beautifulthailand99]

I generally do when I'm pretty sure of the situation and always return one. That said it's all part of this pi-nong thing rigidly hiearchical structures that stops this country reaching their full potential

As an aside I worked with a guy who had worked for 5 years in Thailand at the British Embassy and he was in one the language slots where they learn perfect Thai for 18 months so they come back for postings throughout their career. He had a Thai girlfriend for 3 years but they split up when she wouldn't leave Thailand for his next posting. When he was in business meetings he would never speak Thai and act dumb which he was was extremely helpful at times. I asked him from his experience what was the worst thing about Thailand and her said pi-nong ( his girlfriend was not hi-so - from Isaan and he knew she would never really be accepted by the Thai side of the business circles he mixed in ) and the fact that most of the areas are all sewn up - competitors not welcome and even hindered.

Mai bpen rai - bpen cheewit.

[AYJAYDEE]

I generally do when I'm pretty sure of the situation and always return one. That said it's all part of this pi-nong thing rigidly hiearchical structures that stops this country reaching their full potential

As an aside I worked with a guy who had worked for 5 years in Thailand at the British Embassy and he was in one the language slots where they learn perfect Thai for 18 months so they come back for postings throughout their career. He had a Thai girlfriend for 3 years but they split up when she wouldn't leave Thailand for his next posting. When he was in business meetings he would never speak Thai and act dumb which he was was extremely helpful at times. I asked him from his experience what was the worst thing about Thailand and her said pi-nong ( his girlfriend was not hi-so - from Isaan and he knew she would never really be accepted by the Thai side of the business circles he mixed in ) and the fact that most of the areas are all sewn up - competitors not welcome and even hindered.

Mai bpen rai - bpen cheewit.

lol! the british empire seemed to do quite well with their rigid class system

[beautifulthailand99]

lol! the british empire seemed to do quite well with their rigid class system!

Aye a bit off topic but divide and rule was the policy we have left more troubles behind than we care to think about - southern Thailand being a case in point.

http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/wai_and_sawasdee.html

[AYJAYDEE]

lol! the british empire seemed to do quite well with their rigid class system!

Aye a bit off topic but divide and rule was the policy we have left more troubles behind than we care to think about - southern Thailand being a case in point.

http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/wai_and_sawasdee.html

yes they did leave problems behind but that didnt stop them from becoming the premier world power of the time. i would call that full potential.

[beautifulthailand99]

lol! the british empire seemed to do quite well with their rigid class system!

Aye a bit off topic but divide and rule was the policy we have left more troubles behind than we care to think about - southern Thailand being a case in point.

http://www.chiangmai-chiangrai.com/wai_and_sawasdee.html

yes they did leave problems behind but that didnt stop them from becoming the premier world power of the time. i would call that full potential.

It would be too off topic to have a debate about this in length - but is was certainly well run and have left a lot of good legacy as well as the bad. But generally better now that we respect borders and don't take what isn't ours.

[Tywais]

The semi-annual Wai topic. Never gets old.

Why not ?

Guess I forgot this:

[AYJAYDEE]

not your words?? "But generally better now that we respect borders and don't take what isn't ours." britain didnt participate in the 2003 invasion on the phony excuse of WMD's? LOL