Guest Posted May 31, 2002 Report Share Posted May 31, 2002 Thanks for the info, it basically confirms my own feelings and it costs nothing to be polite Taipan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobbledonk Posted May 31, 2002 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2002 Taipan said : it costs nothing to be polite Thanks, Taipan, SBoot and HT - very helpful perspectives, and I think the polite nod and a greeting were, indeed, my best options. Anyone who has seen 'Mr Bean meets the Queen' will know how dangerous bwoing can be :} Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 31, 2002 Report Share Posted May 31, 2002 I've always been told best to just stay away from it unless you really know what you're going. Different positions of hands for different protocols, so possibility of offending does exist. Of course if you're going to meet long time g/f's parents, would be polite to learn correct way for that situation as a sign of respect, and to show you are not your usual run-of-the-mill 'stupid falang'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gobbledonk Posted May 31, 2002 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2002 I forgot to mention my other tragic attempt at humour in the face of an unusual custom. The front gate at the resort had security guys who dressed very similarly to Thai Police. When a Farang entered, they would throw him/her a crisp salute. Having previously spent several years in the Australian Army, and several hours in a nearby bar, I decided to break the golden rule - saluting whilst in civilian attire (not to mention saluting whilst no longer a serving member of the Australian Army, and saluting someone who was, effectively, a civilian ...). As our friend has stepped from the sentry box and thrown his salute, I have whipped my left arm to a prone position next to my side, spun my head to the right and thrown my own 'boxer' in return. At no stage in the few seconds of this charade has our sentry faltered in his salute - no smile, nothing. Not even as I marched, John Cleese style, straight into an errant shrub. Thailand 1, Private Parts 0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thalenoi Posted June 1, 2002 Report Share Posted June 1, 2002 4) Always wai a monk (who will never return it by the way). My gf is angry at me if I wai a monk, why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodthaigirl Posted June 1, 2002 Report Share Posted June 1, 2002 SanukBoot >From a western perspective a hello would be sufficient and if you wanted to impress you would return with a Sawadee Krub, Sabaai mai krub? Which is hello, are you feeling good? Actually just 'Sawadee Krub' is sufficient. We don't ask anyone in this situation (serving us) equivilant to 'how do you do' . But if you really want to say that you should say 'Sabai dee ruae krub? ʺÒ´ÕËÃ×äÃѺ The word 'ruae ËÃ×Ã' is pretty hard to pronounce though. GTG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Petchburi Pete Posted June 1, 2002 Report Share Posted June 1, 2002 I thought the 'wai' was a gesture. Does using it (or not ... depending upon relations) imply that words should be also spoken when using the wai? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodthaigirl Posted June 1, 2002 Report Share Posted June 1, 2002 SanukBoot, From what I learned in school, it's like this: There are 4 levels to put the hands when you wai. The Three Gem (Buddha image, his teaching, and the monks) thumbs should be at the level of the eyebrow fingertips should be at the level of the area where your hair and your forehead meet ( I don't know how to explain it; I hope you know what I mean. This case if you're not bold too.) >Senior Person thumbs should be at the level of the nose fingertips should be at the level of the eyebrow(obviously depends how big your hand is) You're right here. Senior person includes your teachers. >Normal Person Thumbs will be at the level of the chin Fingertips at the level of the nose (again obviously dependant how big your hand is) Normal person should be the ones who are the same level as you, like your friends. The last one is the junior person You put your hands together like when you wai normally but put them in the midle in front of your chest. This is the correct protocal. And I don't think 'wai' is a Buddism thing. It's the way we show our respect to others. GTG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goodthaigirl Posted June 1, 2002 Report Share Posted June 1, 2002 New Petchburi Pete >I thought the 'wai' was a gesture. Does using it (or not ... depending upon relations) imply that words should be also spoken when using the wai? I'm not sure if I understand your question correctly. If you're asking whether you should say 'wai' while you are waiing, the answer is NO. You say Sawaddee krub or sth else. GTG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
New Petchburi Pete Posted June 1, 2002 Report Share Posted June 1, 2002 Hello Good Thai Girl My question was out of context. I read your post without looking at those on the first page. Once I read the entire thread I realised what you were trying to say. Thank you. BTW, I've yet to met a Thai gal who is not good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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