This is a follow up to A day in the Life: Showers, Bars, and English in Thailand. Click to Check it out :0)
So, Um, Well, I broke a few rules here in Thailand. Here are some examples:
My team mate and I were looking to buy some cardstock for a homemade set of RummiKub. Traipsing through the neighborhood, checking in this store and that, things were looking bleak. She spots a store that looks sort of like a Hallmark. Hopeful we enter…embarrassed we become. You see, feet are considered the dirtiest part of the body here in Thailand, and many stores (not all), require you to remove your shoes. Well, this was one of those stores. We stepped right past the neat pile of shoes outside the door, and walked on in, like Dirty Americans…disgracing their floor. OOPS! Immediately, I began to employ the only 2 Thai words I know….”Sawaidi-ka” and “Kap-Kun-Ka”, neither of which are quite rite for the occasion :0) They mean, Hello and Thank You respectively. My odd mix of bowing and greeting them repeatedly must have been quite a sight as we ran out the door to re-enter barefoot….Dirty Americans
Speaking of feet…it is offensive to have the bottoms of your shoes/feet exposed/pointed at a Thai person. Crossing your legs or putting your feet up are out. OOPS…yeah…I would be tutoring, or riding in a TukTuk (I call it a TukTuk because I cant remember/pronounce the real name… its public transportation) and suddenly realize my feet were inappropriately revealed…Dirty Americans.
When we learned that laughing loudly is considered rude and obnoxious here, the entire room turned and looked at me to offer condolences. Well, suffice it to say I broke this rule more than once. I tried hard to contain myself I swear! Unfortunately, trying to use my polite Thai laugh typically resulted in tears, snorts, and other odd noises. Less obnoxious? I’m not so sure….Dirty Americans
Sitting in a TukTuk (read Divine Appointments: Along for the Ride) next to an adorable Thai baby….what would you do? In making cutsie conversation and earning the little ones trust, it’s only natural to start touching said baby. Smiling parents seem to approve. Then comes the sudden revelation…no head touching! The head is considered sacred and it is offensive to touch a Thai persons head. All this well into many head pats and cheek rubs. Sorry mom and day….Dirty Americans….
I’m sure there were many more faux-pa’s, but I think you get the idea :0)
