How would you politely argue with a Thai ?

[skilled]

let's say you can speak fluent thai and you overheard some rude word , or you had a misunderstanding .

how do you argue the "thai way" ?

according to your experiences

[David48]

Well, Khun Skilled.

If said person spoke 'Fluent Thai' there would be a fair assumption that, in accumulating that Thai Language Skill, he (or she) would have acquired also a fair knowledge of Thai Culture and be able to deal with the proposed OP.

Do you speak fluent Thai?

If not, maybe you want to expand on your Opening Post?

[SoiBiker]

Did this 'rude word' begin with an F?

[Songhua]

If you spoke fluent Thai you'd already know how to respond.

[tingtongtourist]

Even if you did speak fluent you cannot catch everything or if a similiar word put in a different content and make the conversation you think be something completely different.

So many word can sound the same when said at pace,

best you keep your blurter closed and smile and say the thai phrase that means "thats the way i see it also"

the reaction from this is either embarrassed smile or the usual joking around but either way is better than making a confrontation with the wrong person

remember no-one come to your aid when 4 thais lining up to kick your head in. Especially not your fellow farang this is for sure!

[krisb]

It's a confusing op.

If you speak fluent Thai, and you want to keep the argument polite, then you argue in Thai politely.

Right?

[gerry123]

how would you respond if the comment were made in your native tongue ?

if you speak and understand Thai i suggest you react in the same way what has culture got to do with it ?

if they dissed you diss em back unless of course it was done by an angry young guy or woman wielding a machete

[skilled]

i was wondering how they usually argue,

thanks for the Khun reference.

I speak fluent thai but i dont understand many things and i accept it

[skilled]

and btw i dont think speaking the language means you understand their culture ( also understanding the culture doesnt mean you agree with some non sense does it ?)

[siampolee]

If in doubt keep your snout out.

Bad words are annoying, however a smack in the teeth hurts.

[skilled]

Even if you did speak fluent you cannot catch everything or if a similiar word put in a different content and make the conversation you think be something completely different.

So many word can sound the same when said at pace,

best you keep your blurter closed and smile and say the thai phrase that means "thats the way i see it also"

the reaction from this is either embarrassed smile or the usual joking around but either way is better than making a confrontation with the wrong person

remember no-one come to your aid when 4 thais lining up to kick your head in. Especially not your fellow farang this is for sure!

some incident happened in my condo involving me and a taxi driver , he got his face bruised and there were no thais helping him.

[morrobay]

Even if you did speak fluent you cannot catch everything or if a similiar word put in a different content and make the conversation you think be something completely different.

So many word can sound the same when said at pace,

best you keep your blurter closed and smile and say the thai phrase that means "thats the way i see it also"

the reaction from this is either embarrassed smile or the usual joking around but either way is better than making a confrontation with the wrong person

remember no-one come to your aid when 4 thais lining up to kick your head in. Especially not your fellow farang this is for sure!

some incident happened in my condo involving me and a taxi driver , he got his face bruised and there were no thais helping him.

Nice work Bud

[mesquite]

Even if you did speak fluent you cannot catch everything or if a similiar word put in a different content and make the conversation you think be something completely different.

So many word can sound the same when said at pace,

best you keep your blurter closed and smile and say the thai phrase that means "thats the way i see it also"

the reaction from this is either embarrassed smile or the usual joking around but either way is better than making a confrontation with the wrong person

remember no-one come to your aid when 4 thais lining up to kick your head in. Especially not your fellow farang this is for sure!

some incident happened in my condo involving me and a taxi driver , he got his face bruised and there were no thais helping him.

Not yet anyway.

[taony]

Just don't say "tum mai?". That could get you in trouble.

[richard_smith237]

It seems so many people wish to do things the 'Thai Way' which seems rather daft to me.

In my experience there is no Thai Way, just as anywhere else Thailand is populated by individuals with individual characters. Generalisations are always flawed.

Just be yourself... Loosing your cool in your home country is also usually a fast track to an unfavourable outcome, its the same here.

Edited October 28, 2014 by richard_smith237

[Costas2008]

OP, just turn around, ignore them and go away.

It works for me all the time here on TVF......................

Edited October 28, 2014 by Costas2008

[Aussieroaming]

OP..that's like asking an Australian who speaks English if he can understand an American, Kiwi or a Pom. The all speak the same language but all have different cultures.

You tell me how an Aussie has a polite argument with one of the nationalities above.

[skilled]

So to sum up is it impossible to have a polite argument w them? Lol

[dotpoom]

You want to know how to argue politely with a person that you overheard using a "rude" word?......and I thought I heard it all. Might be better if you don't find out, otherwise you may be spending the rest of your life politely arguing with complete strangers, or maybe even some friends......... if there are any left.

[loong]

I wouldn't be able to argue like a Thai, I can't shout as loud at them and certainly can't scream with that increasing pitch that ends up as a squeak.

[tingtongtourist]

Just don't say "tum mai?". That could get you in trouble.

why?? Why?

[Suradit69]

If you spoke fluent Thai you'd already know how to respond.

And if you know someone well enough to feel justified in politely arguing with him, you wouldn't need to ask strangers on a message board how to go about it.

If you don't know the person, it sounds like you want to play at instructing strangers on how to behave according to your rules and when you say "argue with a Thai," it sounds like you think all 66 million Thais all act & react in the same way in response to some busybody.

How would you stick your nose into a stranger's business in America or UK? It would depend on a myriad of variables because not all people and not all situations in America or the UK would be the same, just as would be the case in Thailand.

But basically you are asking how to be politely rude.

[SOTIRIOS]

...right or not....you will NEVER gain advantage.....truth....justice...fair play...morality.......

...and you risk losing.....God knows what......don't you read the posts.......???

...if there are more people present, especially.....it's almost like a 'pack dog mentality' that sets in.........

[soalbundy]

you don't.

[TTom911]

before you ask yourself "how", better ask yourself "why"... nothing will come out of it... I promise you..........

[noahvail]

OP..that's like asking an Australian who speaks English if he can understand an American, Kiwi or a Pom. The all speak the same language but all have different cultures.

You tell me how an Aussie has a polite argument with one of the nationalities above.

By sitting down with enough cold stubbies to last till the argument is settled. ??

[Rusty Keyhole]

Even if you did speak fluent you cannot catch everything or if a similiar word put in a different content and make the conversation you think be something completely different.

So many word can sound the same when said at pace,

best you keep your blurter closed and smile and say the thai phrase that means "thats the way i see it also"

the reaction from this is either embarrassed smile or the usual joking around but either way is better than making a confrontation with the wrong person

remember no-one come to your aid when 4 thais lining up to kick your head in. Especially not your fellow farang this is for sure!

some incident happened in my condo involving me and a taxi driver , he got his face bruised and there were no thais helping him.

Wow you must be hard,will you be my friend?

[maidee]

thai arugment : RUUUUUUUUUUUUN when you see a knife or gun

[RolandRat]

How would I argue politely with a Thai ?...........with a Magnum 44........do ya feel lucky, or should I say, Kor hi khun chokdee punk !

[TTom911]

thai arugment : RUUUUUUUUUUUUN when you see a knife or gun

latest when booze is involved and/or you happen to have got lost "in the wrong places" it's not much different than starting to argue with a few drunk or kiffed, gun tooting pricks in the Bronx... just think BEFORE "making a point"... (i know, the OP was asking how to "friendly" argue, but some might still not get the "friendly" thing and just leave you with the "argue" part...

Ahhh... and that would just be the staring point... chapter 2 and 3 follow when the police gets involved and some "Thai family members" pitch up... better not think of chapter 4 with 120 fellow hardcore "but I was right" guys in a smelly state dungeon...