To Wai, or NOT to Wai......

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

stogiebear,

In the truest sense you're correct. What I meant to convey was that it usually is better to "blend" into your foreign surroundings rather than stand out like a lump.

The simple courtesy of wai'ing is not usually expected but it's appreciated when done in the proper context. Going back to the example of whether to wai a beggar or not - no it wouldn't be viewed as 'appropriate' by the Thais. Which is to say they would never wai a beggar - unless he's a Buddhist Monk. Can we wai a beggar? Of course. And be thought of as a fool!

There are many "mono-ethnic" cultures that westerners would never be accepted as a part of. I would suspect, in addition to Thailand and Japan we could add Korea, China, Tibet, Nepal, Indonesia and most of Asia. I suspect the same is true of most African nations.

Serendipity2

That sums up my approach too. Not so convinced about the country's mono-ethnic culture. The Thais have been known to make the occasional derogatory 'comment' about the sizeable Chinese influence, and there is a degree of quite overt racism towards the dark-skinned of Isaan as well as the huge immigrant population from Myanmar. It feels like a different kind of intolerance towards Westerners - a cultural rather than a religious (anti-Muslim) or colour divide, a sense of superiority but mixed with some reluctant admiration. Whereas the 'uneducated peasants' of the NE, or immigrant labourers from Myanmar, are simply inferior.

You're right about the rest of Asia. I find it curious that we complain about the discriminatory practices we farangs are obliged to put up with in Thailand, yet come from a culture that has treated virtually every other part of the developing and Third World with disdain for generations. And worse. Perhaps that's why we find it so hard to swallow, we have become so used to being accorded the utmost deference when we deign to grace the ignorant Third Worlders with our presence.

Is it any wonder that there's an increasing resentment towards us to be felt these days - especially now it seems the West's financial leadership is going the same way as our business and political influence. Down the plughole.

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by frogblogger

All spot on and exactly as it has been explained to me. Unfortunately the only time I met a princess (by pure chance) I was nearly arrested as I was holding a paparazzi-sized camera with zoom lens attached, and the assumption was that I was about to shoot some photos for the farang tabloids. Trying to explain that from 5 yards away I would only end up with a blurred shot of a nose or a finger using a 600mm zoom met with utter scepticism.

frogblogger,

My very slight 'brush' with Thai royalty was somewhat similar. I was in Chiang Mai many years ago wandering around when a large group of soldiers and policeman suddenly began to clear a space for a small group of women. It turned out to be one of the Thai princesses who was doing some shopping. I got a very brief glimpse of her but was probably 50' away. Needless to say I didn't need to wai!

[Andrew Cosyn]

Thanks for your reply Serendipity. I appreciate what you said and was very much interested what others had to say aswell. Of course you are right about blending in to Thai culture. However, even in Australia I don't really follow what the masses do. It's not that I purpously go out of my way to be different but I just prefer to do my own thing and follow my own values. Sometimes it's not in my best interest to act in this way, especially at work, so I have to be flexible in order to be "accepted" to a certain extent by society. Anyway, I'm seriously considering to live and work in Thailand so I will be flexible there also

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by Andrew Cosyn

Thanks for your reply Serendipity. I appreciate what you said and was very much interested what others had to say aswell. Of course you are right about blending in to Thai culture. However, even in Australia I don't really follow what the masses do. It's not that I purpously go out of my way to be different but I just prefer to do my own thing and follow my own values. Sometimes it's not in my best interest to act in this way, especially at work, so I have to be flexible in order to be "accepted" to a certain extent by society. Anyway, I'm seriously considering to live and work in Thailand so I will be flexible there also

Andrew,

I'm sure you know this, but in case you don't, it's very difficult to work in Thailand [legally] unless you are able to get hired by a foreign company. Not impossible but difficult. Or you could teach English [Australasian] Do be aware as well that if you come to Thailand on a Tourist Visa you may not work under any circumstances legally. If you get caught you could get the boot! I don't think they throw you in jail but it might be a smart idea to check - Thai jails aren't supposed to be very nice. :/

Serendipity2

[King Silk]

Good posts you lot! THIS is what Forums are all about. Civilised, intelligent discussion.
Keep it up!

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by King Silk

Good posts you lot! THIS is what Forums are all about. Civilised, intelligent discussion.
Keep it up!

King Silk,

A pretty good moderator helps.

[Andrew Cosyn]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

Andrew,

I'm sure you know this, but in case you don't, it's very difficult to work in Thailand [legally] unless you are able to get hired by a foreign company. Not impossible but difficult. Or you could teach English [Australasian] Do be aware as well that if you come to Thailand on a Tourist Visa you may not work under any circumstances legally. If you get caught you could get the boot! I don't think they throw you in jail but it might be a smart idea to check - Thai jails aren't supposed to be very nice. :/

Serendipity2

Ha Ha...yes don't worry Serendipity. I have no intention of spending time in any jail but thanks for your concern. I have been doing some research on visa's etc. and found enough information on the net. I realise that it will be difficult to work in Thailand. Just how difficult I don't know but I've been brainstorming for idea's how I could support myself over there (legally of course). Teaching English is a possibility since I have 3 years experience in teaching Literacy and Numeracy to people with intellectual disabilities. I'm sure this experience would come in handy if I was working in this field. Also, I'm interested in health and safety and road safety( traffic control). I saw some really dodgy stuff when i was in Thai and far too many road accidents. Other than that, I'm thinking of possibly starting some kind of a business. I'm only in the beginning stages of researching these possibilities and any suggestions or previous threads on this subject would be most welcome.

[Serendipity2]

Originally Posted by Andrew Cosyn

Ha Ha...yes don't worry Serendipity. I have no intention of spending time in any jail but thanks for your concern. I have been doing some research on visa's etc. and found enough information on the net. I realise that it will be difficult to work in Thailand. Just how difficult I don't know but I've been brainstorming for idea's how I could support myself over there (legally of course). Teaching English is a possibility since I have 3 years experience in teaching Literacy and Numeracy to people with intellectual disabilities. I'm sure this experience would come in handy if I was working in this field. Also, I'm interested in health and safety and road safety( traffic control). I saw some really dodgy stuff when i was in Thai and far too many road accidents. Other than that, I'm thinking of possibly starting some kind of a business. I'm only in the beginning stages of researching these possibilities and any suggestions or previous threads on this subject would be most welcome.

Andrew,

That's the ticket - start your own business or find a like-minded Thai and form a JV. I've been thinking about the same thing but not sure I'll get much support from the Thai government. My idea? A smoking cessation program that has a 100% success rate [me] but could and should work for others too. I doubt you would become a "guest of the citizens of Thailand" for working - so long as it was reasonably legal. Still, my theory is that laws are enacted so that any time a government wants to give you grief, you're theirs. We are all unindicted, unconvicted criminals! :/

Serendipity2

[King Silk]

Originally Posted by Serendipity2

King Silk,

A pretty good moderator helps.

You just made my day S2. Ta muchly......

[King Silk]

Mmmmmmm getting a bit Off Topic Gents!