buffalo_bill Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 I only wai Khunsanuk and the skytrain . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardinalblue Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 OH, Every situation is different so one has to analyze all factors that causes one to wai or not to wai... So in the case you presented, if he (as someone who is younger and in a service role to you) wai you first, then it is not necessary to wai back. If you do wai, it would be out of acknowledgeament and politeness but not required. It might be a gain but not totally inapproriate to wai. By not waiing back, you are establishing a definite pecking order with that person... Should you wai him first? Probably not as it is not expected. If you feel comfortable with him and see him more as an equal than someone clearly inferior, it would be optional and probably make him feel better and gain some browie points with him. What is more important is when you should wai but do not than the opposite like to wai a servant, a child, a prostitute, another farang, etc. The latter will make you look stupid and ignorant, the former the same plus offend... CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MooNoi Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Only wai someone when they're riding a motorcycle, or carrying an armfull of library books. Much more fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Hippie Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 CB, I agree it depends on the situation. tHE SCENARIOS are endless. I usually wai back, if I look stupid, I look stupid. One issue I have, is I don't like to have my ass kissed, or present myself as "above another." I had trouble with this in the Army, as I hated being saluted, especially by people I worked with on a regular basis. It all made me very uncomfortable. All in the culture and protocol I guess. Another issue I have is farangs interpreting Thai culture as experts, or the language (unless they really can speak read write the language, then o.k.) it is just a bug up my ass when someone "corrects" me, and the skills/knowledge is as shitty as mine...just an issue. I have similar issues with forigners comming here, and telling me "how America is "Suppoed to be" and how America is supposed to this or that...which happens everyday i9n my workplace...oh, issue related tangent, sorry, what were we discussing? oh, Wais, what the hell...go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Torneyboy Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Only wai someone when they're riding a motorcycle, or carrying an armfull of library books. Much more fun. I can see it now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 i just saw taksin wai everyone getting off the plane at gatwick!! in his situation, it's the only thing he can do! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_numbers Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Yeah "Maew" has to grovel a bit at this point despite the fact he's off to a 10 million USD pad in Kensington for his R&R. Crying for the poor bastard. Wonder if he got all that money laundered in time?? Back to wais.. I think she is spot on Cent even if that girl is a snob. Most thais are quick to quip or dig at farangs doing a sloppy job of adopting their customs and cultural affectations. I won't speculate as to why, but her sentiment for me was just reaffirmation of what I hear often. Wai away... and why ask why... Remember nobody wai Thaksin now! Cheers, theNumbers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mentors Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Remember nobody wai Thaksin now! Cheers, theNumbers i would be not so shure about that, i'm quite shure Thaksin will try to strike back sooner or later Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Back to wais.. I think she is spot on Cent even if that girl is a snob. Most thais are quick to quip or dig at farangs doing a sloppy job of adopting their customs and cultural affectations. I won't speculate as to why, but her sentiment for me was just reaffirmation of what I hear often. Mrs Tiger backs your friend's friend up. But then again, some may feel that Mrs Tiger is a snob based upon her upbringing. However, they would be far from the truth as those who have met her can verify. She just knows proper "Emily Post" etiquette, and has painstakingly trained me in it as well since she deems it of the utmost import. I'll admit it has served me well in business over the years. Cheers, SD - who would most certainly shake the CEO's hand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
journey21 Posted September 21, 2006 Report Share Posted September 21, 2006 Excellent advice...I much prefer Rule number 1. I have a very few acquaintances in the South who initiate a serious heavy duty wai (fingertips to eyebrow) and I return with a serious wai (fingertips to chin). I am a professor and I am older than all of them. But that being said and done; rule number 1 works every time. Journey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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