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When on Phuket...
Thai people are diplomatic and shy by nature/culture. They will not voluntarily tell you, when you unwittingly break a taboo or offend normal ethics. It is therefore preferable to have an idea of, how to conduct yourself. Treat the Thais with the same respect, that they will show you! The following list gives you a quick conception of correct behavior in typical situations:
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Contrary to what most travel books and brochures say, the "wai" is not an everyday greeting. But it is a very graceful one. Maybe that is why the booklets and guides always emphasize it.
Thais do not "wai" each other in daily life. They do not give or shake hands either. Actually, they do not greet much at all! But they smile a lot. Generally, smiling at the people around you substitutes the daily greeting procedures.
Do you meet a person, who "wai"s you, you can try to duplicate the wai. But the "right thing" to do is just to smile and nod, unless you understand the socio-mechanics of the situation.
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In a "small" wai (towards inferiors or equals) the hands reach the nose. Or maybe they are just kept in front of the chest. In a "big" wai (towards superiors) the hands reach the forehead and the head bows down to meet the hands.
In a "superbig" wai, reserved for royalty or apology after circumstances with severe punishment underway, the head and upper body bow down. The hands and forearms wave up and down. The person sinks to his knees.
Emotions play a part too. Greeting a dear person after long absence gives room for a bigger wai then for the daily greeting of the boss.
You might be relieved to know, that as a tourist it is perfectly okay not to wai at all. Abstaining from wai-ing is the natural choice. Wai-ing the wrong persons will not give you respect nor sympathy. But if you feel the urge to try the wai anyway, you might want to consider the following.
Whom do you wai: Elder persons (the business-owner. Not the beggar or the flower-lady). Monks. People, you owe an excuse. The police, when in a tight spot. Buddha statues.
Whom do you not wai: Younger persons. Children. Service personnel, waitresses. Street vendors.
Who wai's you: Service personnel. People, who owe you an apology. People, whom you give big tips.
There is nothing like the Thai smile. Most people will agree, that the Thai smile is exceptionally beautiful and inviting. Maybe it's the shining teeth in an amber face, framed by black hair. Maybe it is because Thai people smile with their eyes, nose and cheeks as well as with their lips. Maybe it is because Thai people - even strangers - look you in the eye, when they smile.
For people all over the globe, the smile of Thailand somehow incorporates the mystique of tropical Asia and the magic of exotic pleasures.
The ability and inclination to smile is engraved in every human being. The smile is a prize and a reward. The first compensation and reward a baby has to offer the mother and the world, is his/her smile.
Thai people smile, because they enjoy living and like to show it. But they also have made smiling the most important topos of everyday's social context.
Smiling is the standard way of saying "hello". You look at the person you want to greet and smile for about half a second. You can accentuate your smile by a short lifting of the eyebrows or a little nod. Then you brake off eye-contact, so as not to be intimidating.
Thai also smile to reward/return small favors. When somebody hands you a lost coin... when somebody gives way in a bus... when service is given and no money is taken... that is when to smile.
It is also important to smile in situations of insecurity or confusion. If somebody says something to you, that you do not understand: smile! If you are not sure, how to get out of an situation: smile!
Thai people abide to behavior that is considered normal all over the world. Nobody wants a stranger to tussle his hair or crunch her toes. Besides that, Thai culture has only a few idiosyncrasies of its own:
Laws and regulations do not differ much from international rules - in theory. But their implementation in real life does have a Thai flavor. Here are some important things, you should know:
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At crossroads all rules are suspended. Everybody proceeds carefully and slowly. A lot of drivers put on the hazard flashers while crossing. Generally speaking, if you drive on the bigger road or drive on the road with the higher traffic density, then you're first.
Traffic lights are to be respected. The fine for driving through red light is about 500 Baht.
Using a helmet when riding a bike is required by law. The fine for failing to do so is about 500 Baht.
In the bars and discos a great lot of short-lived or long-lasting Western/Thai relationships are constantly being born. Basically the rules of conduct in night-spots remain the same as elsewhere. But concessions are made in places that are dominated by Western clientele.
Contrary to general belief based on Western tabloid press, ladies of the night - like every other Thai person - do choose their profession of their own free will and by using their own good judgment.
In bars and A Go Go Bars, one is not restrained to holding hands only. The sight of kissing couples is quite common. Having a girl sitting on one's lap is not an offensive act, either.
It is not against the law to imbibe alcoholic beverages. Being merry or in high spirits will put you in happy company.
Staying out of trouble is easy: First, don't forget to pay your bills. And second, don't be rude or violent. You will be amazed at how quickly and effectively Thai people and Thai police deal with troublemakers!
On the beach - and this goes for the shopping areas close to the beach as well - everybody is used to the sight of tourists in bathing clothes. At the beach you can enjoy the sun in tanga and G-string. You can take off your bra as well. But frolicking in the nude is not advisable.
You might not get fined. And your neighboring sun-seekers from Germany might not be offended. But sooner or later a police officer or two will come along and help you dress properly.
On Phuket you usually get value for your money. If you stay away from touts and "friendly" strangers, offering you deals (that are to good to be true) you will hardly get cheated.
Contrary to what many books and tourist guides say, Thai people do not haggle that much. Actually buying without asking for the price first and paying -even overpaying!- without haggle is a matter of pride.
The philosophy seems to be: If you can afford to buy things without having to consider the cost, you must be living close to the top of the social pyramid.
It is normal to obtain a discount of 10 to 20 percent on goods like furniture, stereos, clothes etc. How much you can get (if any) depends of course on a number of factors, your bargaining skills, the initial "overpricing" of the product etc.
Knowing that many tourists expect bargaining to be part of the holiday experience, shops and vendors at the beach resorts have set their prices accordingly. You can obtain quite a substantial reduction in jewelry and tailor shops as well as at the street vendors'. The technique is simply to smile and ask for a discount. Friendly bargaining will take you the longest. Thai people like to transact in a happy atmosphere.
Prices in markets and supermarkets are fixed. Fruits, vegetables, meat, toothpaste etc. are not objects for price-discussions.
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