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  1. #26
    I'm in Jail

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    Jim you have to learn the way of the snake.


    Quote Originally Posted by jimbobs View Post
    It fucks my head up trying to get a straight answer out of them
    The Mrs is starting to annoy me now where at one time I thought it was endearing
    You don't know whether they are being dishonest or just fuckin plain stupid

  2. #27
    Hangin' Around cyrille's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by jimbobs
    The Mrs is starting to annoy me now where at one time I thought it was endearing
    You don't know whether they are being dishonest or just fuckin plain stupid
    Y'know I think I'd have worked on ascertaining the presence or absence of these qualities a little earlier...

  3. #28
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    Damn annoying Thais...

  4. #29
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    although, there's some truth to the idea that thais (in general) prefer not giving a straight answer to a question they're not comfortable with (ignore it),

    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2
    Honestly Kjun12, I think it is just the Thai's you might be associating with.
    Quote Originally Posted by JPPR2
    in fairness, I have a different situation then most in that I work with Thai's and hang out with them, most are working professionals and speak as such. My wife is same.
    imagine if an educated thai went to do a PHD in the states and hooked up with a local bird who had dropped out of high school, he might think to himself (for a split second): "what's with these americans being so dumb?"

  5. #30
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    5555 I try to avoid asking questions. I think it is a lot about comprehension or perhaps evasion?

    Evasion is something the Westerner is really good at however....especially public servants and service personnel.

    " Dear put your helmet on...why is it in the basket?..."I go to library".

  6. #31
    Thailand Expat CaptainNemo's Avatar
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    ^
    this

    Quote Originally Posted by crackerjack101 View Post
    Fear of losing "face".
    Fear of giving the "wrong" answer.
    Fear of annoying the other person.
    Fear of appearing ignorant.

    Fear?

    ...lack of wiggle room, so they can evade responsibility, or change their mind (I guess that comes under "face", but I've worked with plenty of farang like this outside of Thailand).

  7. #32
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    But I still love her to death.

  8. #33
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    Quote Originally Posted by kjun12 View Post
    Why is it so difficult for Thai people to answer a question directly and simply? When I ask a question that could easily be answered with a yes or no they have to talk what I feel is a ridiculously long time and never get even close to answering the question. Why? Is it just me and the Thais I talk with?
    What language do you ask your questions in? Do you realise that there's no direct equivalent of "yes" or "no" in Thai? It may surprise you to learn that foreign languages are not direct translations of English, indeed many foreigners were so unwise as to devise their pagan patois without any references to English at all!

    If you want languages that provide the kind of simplistic direct yes or no answers you require then stick to countries where romance or Germanic languages are the norm, you won't find many of them in SE Asia and Tai-Kedai is certainly not one of them. On the other hand you could get off your lazy arse and spend the required amount of time it takes to learn how positive and negative are expressed in the language of the poor bugger you're making a fool of yourself in front of.
    Last edited by DrB0b; 11-02-2017 at 07:21 PM.
    The Above Post May Contain Strong Language, Flashing Lights, or Violent Scenes.

  9. #34
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    Damn Superior Foreigners...


    [still haven't a clue]

  10. #35
    Thailand Expat CaptainNemo's Avatar
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    ^
    ^^
    So grumpy... learning languages is supposed to be fun.

  11. #36
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    When I'm shopping for something in particular, they always seem to have a direct answer: Mai Mee! (often without even looking up)

  12. #37
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    Nothing profound here since Thais rather not speak to foreigners since they are usually impatient assholes.

  13. #38
    Thailand Expat HermantheGerman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b View Post
    Do you realise that there's no direct equivalent of "yes" or "no" in Thai?
    I would have bet that "NO" must have been one of mankind's oldest word. And present in any language of today.

    "No Bumm Bumm! " about 15,000 years old
    translated in today words:
    "No Honey, I got a headache!"


  14. #39
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    Sumbitch's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by fiddler
    When I'm shopping for something in particular, they always seem to have a direct answer: Mai Mee! (often without even looking up)
    Brilliant!

  15. #40
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b
    Do you realise that there's no direct equivalent of "yes" or "no" in Thai?
    No I didn't. I thought "chai" and "mee" were equivalent to "yes" and "no".

  16. #41
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    yes=Chai and no=mai chai

    mee =have?

  17. #42
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    No hab...

  18. #43
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by kjun12 View Post
    Why is it so difficult for Thai people to answer a question directly and simply? When I ask a question that could easily be answered with a yes or no they have to talk what I feel is a ridiculously long time and never get even close to answering the question. Why? Is it just me and the Thais I talk with?
    What language do you ask your questions in? Do you realise that there's no direct equivalent of "yes" or "no" in Thai? It may surprise you to learn that foreign languages are not direct translations of English, indeed many foreigners were so unwise as to devise their pagan patois without any references to English at all!

    If you want languages that provide the kind of simplistic direct yes or no answers you require then stick to countries where romance or Germanic languages are the norm, you won't find many of them in SE Asia and Tai-Kedai is certainly not one of them. On the other hand you could get off your lazy arse and spend the required amount of time it takes to learn how positive and negative are expressed in the language of the poor bugger you're making a fool of yourself in front of.
    Ching Ching mai ow key
    Translated,...
    Realy no shit

  19. #44
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    Quote Originally Posted by Sumbitch View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b
    Do you realise that there's no direct equivalent of "yes" or "no" in Thai?
    No I didn't. I thought "chai" and "mee" were equivalent to "yes" and "no".
    No. Chai is often translated as "yes", even by Thais and even in dictionaries but it actually means "correct" or "I agree". For example "are you hungry?" in English can be answered with "yes" but the Thai equivalent cannot be answered with "chai"..

    Possibly the closest you can get in Thai to the English yes is "ka" or "krub" as a response.


    Here, simple guide


    Learn Thai Culture
    Thai Language Lessons - Yes & No

    Complicated guide

    https://theses.ncl.ac.uk/dspace/handle/10443/1700

  20. #45
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b
    For example "are you hungry?" in English can be answered with "yes" but the Thai equivalent cannot be answered with "chai"..
    However the likely hood of a Thai responding in the negative to this particular question is so remote that it's pretty irrelevant.

  21. #46
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    Quote Originally Posted by crackerjack101 View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by DrB0b
    For example "are you hungry?" in English can be answered with "yes" but the Thai equivalent cannot be answered with "chai"..
    However the likely hood of a Thai responding in the negative to this particular question is so remote that it's pretty irrelevant.
    That PhD thesis on yes/no in Thai I posted the link to above has a whole chapter on "are you hungry". Next time I go for a bowl of noodles I intend to work through the whole thing!

    Hmm, might do a series "how to live in Thailand without ever saying No!". Pretty sure that's what most of us have been doing anyway
    Last edited by DrB0b; 13-02-2017 at 12:45 PM.

  22. #47
    I'm in Jail

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    Za do you speak 16th century Thai or 21 st century Thai.


    imagine ringing a Hotel and speaking Thai asking for a hotel room and they couldn't give a yes or No.

    Quote Originally Posted by Nicethaiza View Post
    yes=Chai and no=mai chai

    mee =have?

  23. #48
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nicethaiza
    mee =have?
    mai mee = no have?

  24. #49
    I am in Jail

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    khun hiw kao mai ka khun Sumbitch? eiei

  25. #50
    I am in Jail

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    Chico I speak lao ask...mee hong wang bor...they answer bor hong tem der...eiei

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