Thai banter - is the same as UK banter?
- Vital Spark
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Thai banter - is the same as UK banter?
This is not so much a question about the language per se, but the banter that Thais have with friends.
Let me explain: I normally have my hair tied back in a pony tail, because I haven't got the time or inclination to do anything else with it. Occasionally, when I do have the time, I have it loose. Comments from fellow farang colleagues are usually complimentary. My Thai colleagues, however, say 'What's wrong with your hair?' (in English). I don't know quite how to reply .
I spoke to one Thai colleague (who's a bit more switched on) and he said that Thais say that kind of thing when someone does something different with their hair. He said that it was friendly banter. 'What about saying something like: 'You look lovely today' or 'Your hair looks great'' I asked. 'No, we don't normally give compliments to friends', was the reply. I got the same response after I'd put on a kilo or two during the summer holidays. One student asked if I was pregnant, and a couple told me I was fat! At around 54kgs I thought it was a tad unnecessary.
I've come across this often with Thais. They don't do compliments. We have a Thai friend in Bangkok who introduced his 8 year old daughter saying 'This is my daughter, she's fat and useless at English'. I guess she was lucky that she didn't know what he was saying...
Do you get compliments from Thais? Apart from 'You handsome man'
VS
Let me explain: I normally have my hair tied back in a pony tail, because I haven't got the time or inclination to do anything else with it. Occasionally, when I do have the time, I have it loose. Comments from fellow farang colleagues are usually complimentary. My Thai colleagues, however, say 'What's wrong with your hair?' (in English). I don't know quite how to reply .
I spoke to one Thai colleague (who's a bit more switched on) and he said that Thais say that kind of thing when someone does something different with their hair. He said that it was friendly banter. 'What about saying something like: 'You look lovely today' or 'Your hair looks great'' I asked. 'No, we don't normally give compliments to friends', was the reply. I got the same response after I'd put on a kilo or two during the summer holidays. One student asked if I was pregnant, and a couple told me I was fat! At around 54kgs I thought it was a tad unnecessary.
I've come across this often with Thais. They don't do compliments. We have a Thai friend in Bangkok who introduced his 8 year old daughter saying 'This is my daughter, she's fat and useless at English'. I guess she was lucky that she didn't know what he was saying...
Do you get compliments from Thais? Apart from 'You handsome man'
VS
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- Randy Cornhole
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I think they are a bit like Brits in that if you are comfortable with each other you can take the piss. Its something I enjoy but here in Canada its not well understood and people take offense, we're only supposed to be "nice".
Thais are very bawdy as well, at least in my GF's village they are.
A village lady asked my GF if falangs were big "everywhere". I said, "Give me 50 baht and I'll show you!" The lady thought that was quite funny. She is 79 years old.
Thais are very bawdy as well, at least in my GF's village they are.
A village lady asked my GF if falangs were big "everywhere". I said, "Give me 50 baht and I'll show you!" The lady thought that was quite funny. She is 79 years old.
I have found that Thai's can have no tact they say "kenny you and Neung get fat" what happen too you, or they will ask very direct qestions like how much you earn or how much money do you have, i allways say to the wife " tell your friend i have no money because i have Thai wife "
One thing i find funny tho, is when we go to offical building up in Isaan i.e electricity or bank i seem to be the topic of conversation i wish i could understand i just get loads of eye contact and smiles, once when we waited hours just to sort are new electric meter out after our tempory one from building the house these ladies came over and give us a tray of mango, i asked my wife " have they got any mossy spray my ankles are getting bit to buggery.
Kendo.
One thing i find funny tho, is when we go to offical building up in Isaan i.e electricity or bank i seem to be the topic of conversation i wish i could understand i just get loads of eye contact and smiles, once when we waited hours just to sort are new electric meter out after our tempory one from building the house these ladies came over and give us a tray of mango, i asked my wife " have they got any mossy spray my ankles are getting bit to buggery.
Kendo.
- sandman67
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Mrs S keeps calling me long "insult strings" ...shes been watching too many of my Tarantino films I think. "Get out of bed you big lazy buffalo stinky crocodile poo farang chang" was one of her best.
Shes abbreviated it to "Steeenkeee" now....
shes so cute.
She also says things like "How are you so stupid when you are so clever?" when I dont understand her version of accounting or economics..... im still trying to work out whether thats an insult, a compliment, or both....
Her mate says I look like Edward Norton and calls me Edward when we meet up....which is cool.
Shes abbreviated it to "Steeenkeee" now....
shes so cute.
She also says things like "How are you so stupid when you are so clever?" when I dont understand her version of accounting or economics..... im still trying to work out whether thats an insult, a compliment, or both....
Her mate says I look like Edward Norton and calls me Edward when we meet up....which is cool.
"Science flew men to the moon. Religion flew men into buildings."
"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
"To sin by silence makes cowards of men."
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You started something Vc.
Always felt 20 years younger visiting LOS.
Even the least vain succumb to believing, ''you so Hansome meester''.
HOWEVER.
Having married the current, and final lady of my dreams, after 3 years of gentle persuasion. (And a huge credit card bill)
Budda forbid i should crawl into my bed without a shower.
(always clean my teeth of course. Or wash my mouth.)
Too much information?
Being told i smell like a '' Dirty smelly dog buffalows armpit'' Seems to be the best she can do in English.
She then goes into Thai.
Which seems pretty damn pointless. As if you don't understand an insult.
It's not an insult.
just a meaningless sound.
I think asians seem more truthful about appearences.
However working on the theory of K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid)
The Thai theory of:
Good heart.
Bad heart.
Seems to work.
And long may it live.
Always felt 20 years younger visiting LOS.
Even the least vain succumb to believing, ''you so Hansome meester''.
HOWEVER.
Having married the current, and final lady of my dreams, after 3 years of gentle persuasion. (And a huge credit card bill)
Budda forbid i should crawl into my bed without a shower.
(always clean my teeth of course. Or wash my mouth.)
Too much information?
Being told i smell like a '' Dirty smelly dog buffalows armpit'' Seems to be the best she can do in English.
She then goes into Thai.
Which seems pretty damn pointless. As if you don't understand an insult.
It's not an insult.
just a meaningless sound.
I think asians seem more truthful about appearences.
However working on the theory of K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid)
The Thai theory of:
Good heart.
Bad heart.
Seems to work.
And long may it live.
That's pretty much how I see it also - you can do it back too, providing there is a strong familiarity bond (and this is not limited to spouses).johnnyk wrote:I think they are a bit like Brits in that if you are comfortable with each other you can take the piss.
Who is the happier man, he who has braved the storm of life and lived or he who has stayed securely on shore and merely existed? - Hunter S Thompson
- margaretcarnes
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Thai Banter - is it the same as UK banter?
Spitfire - don't you believe Buksis explanation of his name for one minute!
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