Having just arrived in Thailand, and now just getting used to living here, I think I can see and hear some things for the first time

which the old hands in Thailand may have forgotten, and no longer pay attention to.

Here is what I am talking about. And this is a true and interesting fact of life here in Thailand. I am DEFINITELY not pulling your leg.

I have noticed that when Thai people listen to a Farang, especially when such Farang is attempting to speak a little Thai language, the native Thai speakers will make sounds as if they are enjoying their favorite flavor of ice cream.

And believe me, the Thai people love ice cream. I have learned this, too.

So here is how the typical conversation goes:

1. I make a statement like "The Sky is very Blue today". And of course I must speak haltingly, not knowing how to speak fluently.

2. When I finally have uttered this utterance in full, then the listener who is a native speaker will not reply in words, but will just make a sound that starts low and gradually peaks, and then comes back down. This sounds just like most people sound when they have partaken of a delicious piece of chocolate, and they wish to communicate to others just how tasty it truly was: "mmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm"

3. Now we all know what this really means. The listener is bored, embarrassed for the speaker, and extremely polite, and will never laugh at the halting speaker.

4. Also, in normal conversation, when I am listening to someone speak about a subject that I find mildly boring, I will intersperse the discourse with a Hmph, hmph, hmph, just to keep the speaker speaking, and to let the speaker know that at least I am hearing, if not understanding, what is being said. Sort of like what some men do when reading the newspaper during breakfast, listening to their wife talk, while really riveted on the sports page.

====================

So here is the question, and here is the chance to comment upon this topic, regarding this interesting Mmmmmmmmmmmm phenomenon.

As for me, I do like it.

Although it was unsettling at first until I gradually realized what it meant......Almost pure polite boredom, and in place of the listener stating "Would you hurry the F up with what you are saying, because I can already anticipate the whole utterance you are haltingly uttering."

So what about you?

Have you been impressed with the Mmmmmmm?

What flavor do you think Farang are? In the minds of the people born in Thailand?

There is no place I like more than Thailand, I am sure.

The wonderful people here are a huge part of why I love Thailand, after only a very short time here.

I am sure your comments will be interesting. And, I always enjoy reading interesting things about Thai culture, and Thai (to me) seemingly idiosyncratic behavior, which makes perfect sense to Thai People.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

MMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I am asleep and having a thaivisa nightmare. I will wake up soon, I hope.

What part of Thailand is this? So I can avoid it!

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Are you on the ear medicine?

mmmmmmMMMMMmmmmm

mmmmmmMMMMMmmmmm

Songhua is riding past on a motorbike

Nonsense trolling topic.

Closed