Magicporkchop777 Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 I recently went on a date with a Thai girl in the states and I noticed that she had a difficult time holding eye contact. She would always look down at her food when she talked etc. At first I thought she just didn't like me but then I thought that there might be a cultural difference in regard to eye contact. Can anyone enlighten me here? Thank you so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cornishcarlos Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 You just aren't as Hansum as you thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mogandave Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Maintaining eye contact is difficult for many people, particularly when nervous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brit_Doggie Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 1 good trait of thai people is eye contact unless nervous or shy and both those a minority here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooked Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 My wife says that maintaining eye contact with a girl for more than a quick glance is definitely flirting on both sides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonray Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Perhaps she found the food more interesting ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shot Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 Where did you take her to eat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chiang mai Posted July 20, 2015 Share Posted July 20, 2015 When you walk down the street you will be noticed/looked at long before you get close to a person, occasionally you may see people twenty feet ahead of you looking at you and then averting their eyes when spotted - as you get closer and level to them they will continuously look away. The "why" is because to stare is impolite and may lead to aggression. So in the case of your new date a similar set of rules apply, in your example the answer's similar in that to stare shows interest, yet for the young lady to do so at such an early stage in the relationship would be highly inappropriate. An extension of all of this is the use of a chaperone during early dating, if you've never been on a date where a chaperone is involved I recommend it as an interesting experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magicporkchop777 Posted July 21, 2015 Author Share Posted July 21, 2015 Judging by these replies the more likely answer was that we just didn't click. Oh well, thats life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steven100 Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 she doesn't like spaghetti meatballs .... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willyumiii Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 (edited) I have been told: " In Thailand if you have extended eye contact with another man, you will probably get into a fight. with him If you have extended eye contact with a woman, you will probably get into bed with her." Edited July 21, 2015 by willyumiii Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiwi151 Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Perhaps consider ... 1.Humility. 2.Respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loptr Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Traditional rural Thai women can be very shy... Not unusual for them to not hold eye contact because of this... Not so much with women from the big cities... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willyumiii Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Perhaps consider ... 1.Humility. 2.Respect. Most Thais are very xenophobic and consider themselves to be better than anyone who is not Thai. Most also have no concept of what are considered good manners in the west. I am not bashing, it is just their culture and took me a few years of living here to realize it and adjust to it. Because of these factors, Humility and respect are rare to find in Thai people associating with non Thais. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipperylobster Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 (edited) she was ashamed.. Perhaps felt others were judging her (she can overhear the gossip, while you cannot). Some girls are comfortable with their "farangs" ..others are just trying it all out. age difference? Never met any Thai's who look down at their feet when they talk to each other....or even to me! Sounds like a prehistoric view of Thai culture. Welcome to the modern world. Edited July 21, 2015 by slipperylobster Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delgarcon Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Depends on the woman. I've been living with a lovely Thai woman for 3 years + and she has always looked me straight in the eye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipperylobster Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I have been told: " In Thailand if you have extended eye contact with another man, you will probably get into a fight. with him If you have extended eye contact with a woman, you will probably get into bed with her." images.jpg .....for the right amount of money ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willyumiii Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I have been told: " In Thailand if you have extended eye contact with another man, you will probably get into a fight. with him If you have extended eye contact with a woman, you will probably get into bed with her." images.jpg .....for the right amount of money ! I can honestly state that never in my life have I ever paid to get into a fight, not even a good one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgemandm Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I think the same as the op and I think it is because if they lie you will tell or could be not told from young kids to look in the eyes when I am talking to like I teach my kids Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thongkorn Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Depends on the woman. I've been living with a lovely Thai woman for 3 years + and she has always looked me straight in the eye. Usually the sign of an Honest sincere person , If they cannot lok you in the eye then some things wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
balo Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 Thais love to have eye contact when talking to someone so she's probably one of the shy ones. Or maybe she just dont like to look at you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slipperylobster Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 I have been told: " In Thailand if you have extended eye contact with another man, you will probably get into a fight. with him If you have extended eye contact with a woman, you will probably get into bed with her." images.jpg .....for the right amount of money ! I can honestly state that never in my life have I ever paid to get into a fight, not even a good one! You are lucky! I paid quite a bit to watch the last Pacquiou fight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VIPinthailand Posted July 21, 2015 Share Posted July 21, 2015 too late, Thai ladies in the USA are already infected! they became like them... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AZBill Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 She's probably just shy. If you like her give her a chance to get to know you. After a while she'll be looking you straight in the eye to make sure you aren't playing around on her! Lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willyumiii Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Depends on the woman. I've been living with a lovely Thai woman for 3 years + and she has always looked me straight in the eye. Usually the sign of an Honest sincere person , If they cannot lok you in the eye then some things wrong. You are correct Thongkorn, if you are living in the west. I was raised in the west and that is what I always believed. here in Thailand, it is considered to be rude and presumptuous to look someone in the eye if you are not very familiar with the person, like a wife or very close friend. Men feel you are threatening hem and women feel you are" coming on" to them if you make extended eye contact. I for one, do not expect or want Thai people to adopt my western values, so I have tried to learn and respect theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willyumiii Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 too late, Thai ladies in the USA are already infected! they became like them... Before I moved to Thailand full time, I found that Thai girls who relocated to America still pretty much followed their traditional values, but the second generation in America were as American as an American could be ...just cuter! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slip Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Perhaps the only post so far in this thread that shows an understanding of the local culture and psyche. It is not 'greng jai' to be overly 'agressive' with eye contact. Depends on the woman. I've been living with a lovely Thai woman for 3 years + and she has always looked me straight in the eye. Usually the sign of an Honest sincere person , If they cannot lok you in the eye then some things wrong. You are correct Thongkorn, if you are living in the west. I was raised in the west and that is what I always believed. here in Thailand, it is considered to be rude and presumptuous to look someone in the eye if you are not very familiar with the person, like a wife or very close friend. Men feel you are threatening hem and women feel you are" coming on" to them if you make extended eye contact. I for one, do not expect or want Thai people to adopt my western values, so I have tried to learn and respect theirs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rgs2001uk Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Jeez H, what a load of cobblers. Where is the OP? Send the girl a text message or phone her and say, Thanks for the other night, really enjoyed myself, where do you suggest next time? Whats so bloody hard about that? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dao16 Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Actually, I think it can mean she really liked you, which is why she was looking away (most likely down). Like someone said just up this thread, call her back and ask her out again if you like her. You might be surprised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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