A Few Unwritten Thai Cultural Rules You Gotta Learn [S5.E7]

Utilizing a topic suggested by listener Wes, Greg and Ed
discuss the unwritten 'rules' of Thai culture - the ones that
everyone knows but aren't written down anywhere, despite Ed
wishing they were because he really has no idea what he's doing
right and wrong! As Greg notes, we all have to fake it until we
make it.


Greg then begins a series of specific puzzles that farangs
have to navigate, including the proper use of the expletive 'arai
wa,' knowing when or how much to lower your head when passing in
front of someone, trying to determine the correct use of 'nong'
and 'phee' when interacting with a stranger of indeterminate age,
and how to wai someone when your hands are otherwise
occupied. 


The guys discuss each puzzle, but Ed notes his overarching
problem: what to do when Thai people treat him as a foreigner and
don't follow Thailand's cultural norms. Should farangs follow
Thai rules when Thais don't? No one knows! But Greg and Ed agree
that the impact of these difficulties is lessened by Thais
flexibility and general forgiving nature. So do your best out
there fellow expats, but don't worry about it too much. It's all
'mai pen rai' in the end. :)


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