For all those members tempted to go native - a timely reminder from a Thai
Stop making a fool of yourself - http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featur...ngs-go-native/ - and just remember our milieu in Thailand is that of the prostitute
Re: For all those members tempted to go native - a timely reminder from a Thai
It's absolutely simple. If you're a foreigner. Don't wai.
Re: For all those members tempted to go native - a timely reminder from a Thai
Absolutely. My introduction to Thai culture (and gay travel in Thailand) was Michael Notcutt's helpful little book; not to wai but instead to smile was one of his most basic rules. This was in 1995. And he's still right.
Re: For all those members tempted to go native - a timely reminder from a Thai
Very uncomfortable seeing an old farang wai-ing a gogo boy.
Re: For all those members tempted to go native - a timely reminder from a Thai
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
It's absolutely simple. If you're a foreigner. Don't wai.
In particular don't wai another foreigner
Re: For all those members tempted to go native - a timely reminder from a Thai
Quote:
Originally Posted by
arsenal
It's absolutely simple. If you're a foreigner. Don't wai.
Not so sure about that. I think it depends on whether you know the person or not. My BF would chastise me very strongly for not returning a wai... Especially to someone that I know.
Re: For all those members tempted to go native - a timely reminder from a Thai
Quote:
Originally Posted by
frequent
In particular don't wai another foreigner
Agree on this point!
Re: For all those members tempted to go native - a timely reminder from a Thai
Quote:
Originally Posted by
frequent
In particular don't wai another foreigner
Not even a moderator?
Re: For all those members tempted to go native - a timely reminder from a Thai
It looks absolutely ludicrous, in particular, when a foreigner enters a go-go bar and wais to the boys on stage.
I always tell new arrivals to think of a wai as equivalent to "good evening [or whatever], sir", i.e. you ought only to wai to someone you regard as a social superior. Of course, if you're an egalitarian who regards nobody at all as your superior, you presumably would never wai at all.
A quick bow of the head in acknowledgement (but not subservience) does well on virtually every occasion, I think.
Re: For all those members tempted to go native - a timely reminder from a Thai
Great article that can be applied to whichever country one visits. I try to learn some phrases and some historical facts but never try to imitate the manners of my hosts. It comes off as artificial. They know it, you know it.