"8 Interesting cultural norms in Thailand" or "8 Things I like to do here but won't be able to when I return to the States for fear of widespread social isolation from friends and family, possibly the rest of the American public." I'll let you decide which one I should go with. Also, let it be noted that these aren't exclusive to Thailand.
8. Picking your nose in public
Ok. So I've never done this here (yet) but it is on my 'To Do' list. Many volunteers were first engrossed and just plain grossed when we first noticed people doing this. One moment you are telling someone about your job as a volunteer and what you find most appealing about their culture then the next you find yourself staring at a hand that use to have 5 fingers but lost one because their index become greedy and wanted to dig for gold. (Insert corny joke about ring finger wanting a cut). Soon after discovering this was acceptable, the boys in our group felt that this was a norm that they could easily conform to. It's all about assimilation here, people. The nice thing about this norm is that it carriers over many demographics. There is no age, gender, or other basis for discrimination. It's not uncommon to see see children wiping their fingers on their clothes or seeing them give their nose a nice rub on the shirt of an unsuspecting adult; not unlike in the States. Nothing shameful stands in the way between a person and their sniffer.
7. Talking in the third person
So for this one Lacey thinks of Tarzan. Why yes! Lacey likes fruit! There are many languages out there that have used this type of grammar and it is interesting here in Thailand. Thai has many forms of the word 'I' and Lacey thinks Lacey has counted at least five different ways to say it. Lacey has also seen ways to use those different forms based on who you are talking with and the setting. With Lacey's close friends, for example, Lacey says 'Lacey' instead of the more formal 'Dii Chan' (sounds like dee-chon). Lacey thinks this is a very interesting trait of Thais but Lacey hopes Lacey can get it out of her system before she comes home. Lacey hopes that this wasn't too confusing for everyone because I (Lacey) am pretty sure I am at this point.
6. Eating constantly
Still trying to get used to this one too. Thais eat a lot and they aren't ashamed about it or reaffirming that point with me. It's not uncommon that I come to work and see the staff enjoying a nice selection of canome (again, no English word to define it but basically desserts). When I don't partake in the morning canome or (heaven forbid) I'm not hungry at lunch, I am then, very seriously, asked if I am feeling well and wish to go to the doctor. So the cliff-notes of it: Thais are serious about their food, sharing it with others, and love eating around the clock.
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| And this is just the midnight snack |
If a Thai gives you food, it's polite to take it or tell them you're full already. And it is always nice to bring something to share for an informal meeting or get together. Food could easily be considered in the Top 5 (if not Top 3) of the "Most Important Cultural Aspects of Thailand." Which leads me to my next entry.
5. Greet people by asking "Have you eaten yet?"
Just so you know, you do say "Hello/Sa wat dii" before this greeting so it isn't as blunt as I make it sound. Plus, this is actually somewhat brilliant and way more meaningful than I once thought. I've said it already but Thais love to eat. So imagine how fun it is to go around and ask people their eating schedule and then go into detail about the foods you already ate, just ate, and will eat in the future. Or when it's just a way to break the ice. For example:
Me: "Have you eaten today yet?"
Random Thai: "Yes, I've eaten already."
Me: "What did you have?"
Random Thai: "Uhh....Rice." (Which is then followed by a look that asks "Is this foreigner serious?!?! Did she just ask me what I ate?")
I've heard a few different greetings from around the world and some of them are easy to understand the emotion behind it. The Thai greeting here is a motherly instinct but there is also time for joking. The food in the South is exceptionally spicy and I basically have the same conversation everyday.
Random Thai: "Can you eat spicy food?"
Me: "Yes" (plain, simple and straight to the point)
Random Thai: "Really?!"
At this point 1. Random Thai is wondering if the foreigner knows the word for 'yes' in Thai and answered correctly and 2. Random Thai just pulled off their glove, slapped me across the face, and challenged me to a Battle of the (Taste) Buds
Me: "Yes, really" (Challenge accepted, Sir)This is followed by me eating, occasionally sweating but loving the food, and the entire table trying to be sneaky about watching me eat. Nowadays, my Thai peeps will intercede for me and proudly tell others that "Yeah, our farang can eat like us! How cool is that?!" I'm not sure if I'm getting 5 plates of rice a day because I'm a foreigner and I'm not sure if they like telling others my spicy food eating ability because they have seen the amazing act first hand. But whatever the case I feel the love. Also, they think I can't cook which is maybe a plus. I think.
