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| A typical bus |
There are many differences between the eastern and western
cultures. Here are a few thing I notice during my visit to Thailand.
The wai
The wai
The wai is not just for saying hello, thank you, it is a show of respect too.
The caste system dictates that the social inferior person wai to the higher class or the elderly. There are four different types of wai. They have different height of the hands and bow. To me, they all look the same as the differences are minuscules.
People also wai at the temples and monks. It is the same as Catholics do the sign of the cross in front of a church or priest.
Never ever wai to a waitress, doorman, taxi driver, servants, laborers, children, or any lower class, as it will be seen as a sign or disrespect. They will wai at you, but you don’t have to return the wai.
It is always inferior to superior.
The smile
Thais smile at everything to avoid conflict and to keep good luck around you.
If you are angry, you will invite bad spirits into your home, and they will bring bad luck.
Human anger attracts the anger of the spirits, bringing with them floods, no rains, famine, diseases and epidemics.
Front and back
Superiors at the front, inferiors at the back.
Elderly will sit at the front of an event or the bus or any place they are.
As a tourist do not sit at the back of a bus, but sit behind elderly people.
Uniforms
Even university students wear uniforms.
And never ever wear black at a wedding. No little black dress here. Black is only for funerals.
Indirect criticism
Always praise, do not give constructive criticism because they will see it a criticism.
Thais will praise you and say yes to everything you say because saying no is seeing as an act of disrespect.
Head and feet
Never touch a person’s head as it is considered sacred.
Never show your feet. When you sit have your feet behind you. Never cross your legs because then you will be showing your feet, and that is seen as an insult. And never point at something with your foot.
As the head is sacred, the feet are considered the lowest part of the body.
No shoes.
No shoes allowed indoors. Before entering a house, office and even some stores, you have to leave your shoes outside. It will be considered rude to bring the dirt from the outside into one’s home.
And last but not least.
Contrary to popular belief, not all Asian countries use chopsticks, in Thailand, they eat with a fork and a spoon.
