Culture

Do and Don’t

Posted by Boo on Sep 7, 2011 in Culture, Thailand | 2 comments

Hello during a rainy day…..

Let’s talk a bit about what you should do and what you should not do before you pack your bags and head to the Smiley Land
Being a good traveller we need to learn and do our homework. This can prevent any embarrassing situations and missunderstandings.

Do

•  Respect all Buddha images. These kinds of images are held sacred.
•  Take of your shoes before entering a temple, someone’s house.
•  Dress properly when visiting a temple. Avoid sleeveless shirts, flip-flops, and too-short shorts or skirts.
• Make sure you have travel and health insurance.
• Try to learn a few basic phrases in Thai such as “Hello” “Thank you” You will be very welcome and be extra charming for Thais. Also this will make you feel more comfortable when you meet some Thai people.
• Treat older people, parents of your Thai friends and monks with respect.
• Try to stay calm in any kind of situation. It is the best way to improve your situation when you get in any trouble.
• Smile a lot and enjoy staying in Thailand.

Taboos & Don’t

• Don’t touch Thai person’s head. For Thais, the head is the most sacred part of the body. There are some exceptions for it but the best you should not do it. Apologize if you did it accidently
• Don’t show you’re the soles of your feet to anyone or use your feet to point to some thing or touch someone. For Thais, feet are the lowest and filthiest of the body.
• Don’t put your feet on the table. It is very impolite and disrespectful way to do so.
• Don’t cross your legs or rest your legs high up when you are in the presence of a monk neither on the floor nor in a chair.
• Don’t show disrespect towards the Thai Royal Family. This is illegally. So you might end up in prison or get in to a trouble
  * Thai people have a deep respect for their King who has devoted his life to improve quality of life for all Thais.
• Don’t be overly affectionate in public.
  * Even though in Thai society has been change a lot among young couples to hold hands. But you should not get heater than that. In a temple area. Don’t do it at all.
• Don’t touch a Thai woman without consent.
  * The representation of Thai women has been misleading by the minority of Thai bar girls and the business of prostitution but the majority of Thai women are conservative.
• Don’t lose your temper or raise your voice. Just stay clam with smile on your face to sort thing out under any circumstance.
• Don’t be offended by questions about your age or married status
  * It is common for Thais to ask each other at the first meeting. To just break the ice and get to know each other’s better. But you can always deny answering with a smile.

Love/

HuggerBoo *♥*(¸.♥´´¯`•.¸¸.☆