Manners

[Jaime]

I wish people would at least give an acknowledgement of thanks when you go to the trouble of answering a pm requesting information on where to get stuff etc.

This has happened to me a couple of times recently and it makes me feel like not bothering in future.

Good manners cost nothing.

[Wanderlust]

Hear, hear! Well said that man!

[lomuamart]

I thought our efforts were free, just like some bar girls

[cavkc]

Whilst on the subject of manners, albeit at a complete tangent ...... I'm curious as to how many westerners wai in return ?

cav

[Norseman]

Whilst on the subject of manners, albeit at a complete tangent ...... I'm curious as to how many westerners wai in return ?

cav

Can some of you please translate what this guy is trying to express!
What is wai?

[Jaime]

Allowances are made for our ignorance/cultural differences. I think a big smile goes a long way if you are not comfortable wai-ing.

[Norseman]

Aut insanit homo, aut versus facit

[Jaime]

For those of us who don't know Latin:

http://www.yuni.com/library/latin.html

[cavkc]

Norseman - a 'wai' is the Thai thank you/greeting with the hands clasped together under the chin ....

[Norseman]

Thank you cavks, think I owe you a beer too!!!!

[Randy Cornhole]

I am always a bit wary of wai'ing as although it may seem polite, if you don't believe in buddha is it a bit meaningless? Do the Thais appreciate a wai from a westerner they know isn't a buddhist? who knows. A smile yes but a wai... I'm not sure - it smacks of double standards (to us). but then can the Thais comprehend this?
Maybe its best not to think so deep and just wai...hmmm.
I fear this may be a hot bed of contention but what the hell... let the games commence.

[Guess]

I was unaware that a wai was a Buddhist thing although come to think about it, it is always used in counties where Thervada is practised.

My policy, with advice from Thai people is:

Expect a wai from a child but there is never any need to return it.

Always wai (more emphasized than normal) to someone who's status or temporary position is higher than yours. This could be an official, a customer or your father in law.

To people of equal status, just a return in the same manner is required.

Your servants will accept a less emphasized wai or even a nod expecially if you hands are otherwise occupied.

I appreciate that this description is a simplification but it has always worked well for me.

I think that being a Westerner or any other race and not being a Buddhist is irrelevant in this discussion but I may be wrong about that.

[caller]

Could be ignorance on my part, but I've always thought those I have "wai'd" to appreciated the effort?

Although I have to confess that I wasn't sure if they were laughing at my efforts.......

That is, until I was getting reading to visit the G/F's family in her village, not for the 1st time. But I need to practice, thought I, no you don't, said she!

Apart from the immediate family, and those who had travelled or driven from nearby towns (Phi Mai, Chumpuang) I met so many elders, youngsters, same age as me 'un's, I wai'd so deep, so often, I thought my head would drop off! After all of that, I came away a fiancee.

I was quite pleasantly surprised by the amount of men, who after "wai-ing" then shook my hand! I personally thought that was a nice gesture.

Then we drank.

[cavkc]

cheers Norseman

[SHADOW]

Have been in town this weekend, out and about to the wee hours. What is it this year now that the town seems to be in silly season. I have never had to endure so many rude tourist and I will not pick one one nation because it's all of them, no please no thank you, asking cashiers for more drinks, the bill, when clearly serving someone else. Some even asked why staff can't speak English when their version left a lot to be desired. An example.

Staff Hello would you like drink?
Customer Beer
Staff Which beer you like?
Customer Beer one beer oh my god ONE BOTTLE OF BEER
Staff Sorry many beer Sing, Heineken, Chang, Tiger, Leo?
Customer Give me Thai beer
Staff (still smiling but only on the outside) OK Sing Chang Leo?
Customer Heineken

It's was a joy to be out on Friday and Saturday night