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Thai Meets West Land Of Smiles
he people of Thailand are have a word, untranslatable into
an interesting group. They the English language, only used
hugely influenced by to be polite, and it is used
Chinese culture, being located frequently as they speak. This
just to the south of China, so I politeness transcends every part
am sure that some of the things I of their lives. You will notice
am going to describe are part of that a car horn is only used to
the greater “eastern” culture as “politely” tell other drivers
well as the Thai culture. they are there and not to run
However, Thais have developed a into them. When at the bank or
unique blended culture of their Movie Theater or grocery store
own. You might wonder how this the Thai people seem to
might affect your stay here in automatically fall into an
Thailand. If you are not in organized line, they call queues,
Thailand more than a few days or categorized by your need. In the
a week you may not even notice, park most everyone runs in the
especially if you confine your same direction around the park
visit to the well known tourist (which is oddly counter
areas where Thai Culture is a bit clockwise). They do this because
diluted by the visiting there are arrows pointing the
foreigners. However, I have been proper direction of travel.
living among the Thai people and Thailand is the “Land of Smiles”,
I find their culture quite I believe because they are taught
endearing. that smiling is an important part
of being polite.
Thai culture holds being polite
above all else. Politeness is Also, Thai people are quiet,
built into their very language. politely not disturbing people
Not only do they have words that around them and if there is a
they use to be polite but they loud person, which there is from
time to time, they are given a of the mall, when I realized I
knowing glare. The loud will know was the only one who WAS walking.
immediately they are being The Anthem was playing, and every
impolite but more often than not in the mall has stopped where
the loud person will not be Thai. they were walking and standing at
This politeness even extends to attention. Prior to every movie
their children of all ages. While played in a theater a short
there is a general grumbling tribute to their King is played,
about the teenage Thai, I believe everyone stands as a sign of
this a universal teenage thing respect. It is quite refreshing
and the teenager soon grow out of to be in a country where everyone
the rebellious non-politeness. has such a huge respect for their
Thai children are very well country leader.
behaved and I wish I could
determine what methods the Thais Older Thais, and I understand
employ to impart the politeness older people in the east, are
on to their children because I am fortunate in that they are taken
sure the rest of the world would care of by their children when
like to know. they too old to take care of
themselves. This gives the elder
Their undeniable love and respect generation a sense of security
for their King and country seems sorely lacking in the east and
ubiquitous, and probably is. They allows them to be more positive
show it every day at 8 am and about their waning years.
again at 6 pm by standing
reverently as their national So, if you only get the chance to
anthem is played throughout take a short visit to Thailand,
public areas in Thailand. I know that there are good reasons
remember being in a mall, walking for all the smiles…
where I could see a good portion
About the Author:
Christopher Snyder is the Founder of Asia Products LLC and currently is living in Bangkok, Thailand. He writes on a variety of topics including current events, politics, and travel ideas. He manages an e-commerce store buying products to sell on www.asiaproductsllc.com. He is providing Asia Travel Ideas on his website : www.apllc-connect.com/travel/ Copyright 2008 All Rights Reserved
Published At: www.Isnare.com
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