Well, there you go again...
Cusp: a point of transition (as from one astrological sign to another or one historical period to the next) : TURNING POINT; also : EDGE, VERGE <on the cusp of stardom>. The definition from Websters online dictionary. Another great American invention!
This is the best thread we've had in a long time.
I don't know how I came to this understanding or from whom but it was surly from my Thai experiences.
The act of giving a gift is primarily for the gratification of the giver. The joy of giving should be reward enough. I believe this to such an extent that I have, at times, said, "Thank you" to the recipient for accepting my gift. As someone mentioned, it's the gasp, the shy smile, the rush to a private space to open the wraping, etc, etc that is important to me.
Keeping up with the Jones'
I think itтАЩs fair to say that we westerners waste a great deal of our time worrying about what other people think of us.
I don't see that a lot with Thais and this especially applies when they are motorists or pedestrians.
They just don't seem to be as aware of their surroundings and/or concerned about other people, motorists or pedestrians.
If a Thai motorist hasn't decided which lane he / she would like, quite often they will straddle two just to block you from getting beside them. When in bumper-to-bumper traffic, they'll squeeze right up to the guy in front of them just to block access to someone trying merge in. I walked through an empty parking lot behind Hollywood Disco and had someone coming the other way walk right into me.
When it comes to saving face, many learn the hard way that the Thai face is quite fragile. To call someone a liar or a thief will push and relationship instantly beyond salvageable. To question anyone's family or upbringing is surely flirting with disaster. Loosing your temper accomplishes absolutely nothing and quite honestly makes you look foolish.
There are many things about Thai culture that we aren't going to learn right away and many of us will never know all the complexities. ItтАЩs always best to sit on your hands, try to absorb as much as possible about what is going on and then ask questions about it later. Reacting won't solve this misunderstanding, nor will it prevent the next from happening again.
Surfcrest