When Thais Answer Questions

[kjun12]

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?

[Chico]

Shouldn't that be when Thais don't answer questions.

Its not only you its a daily ocurence for me to,the question is answered down the road when then its there idea

[AndyCap]

The all time classic...

I asked one of my employees how to drive to Samutprakhan (from Rama 3), " very easy boss, you drive strait all the way, except sometimes turning right, and sometimes turning left"

Pure genius .....

[jimbobs]

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

[Nicethaiza]

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 you asked and they cant answer? can example some question?

[AndyCap]

Ive given up...might as well ask Fluke for a strait answer, at least the Thai response is normally entertaining...

[koman]

How much is this house?

About four million

No, I mean how much is it exactly?

About four point nine million

OK, I'll buy it for four point nine million.

Sorry, but this house is about seven million.

[thaimeme]

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?

Ah..
It's just you.

[NZdick1983]

^ Yeah, never really thought about that... many of them can't answer a simple direct question... why is that?

Za, don't even try to seem incredulous, you yourself evade giving straight answers more times than not.

Think back when you posted your chat buddies words, instead of your own... we all knew it wasn't your own writing.... but to finally accept that yes, it wasn't you... OMG... more slippery than an eel... you would make a good PM. heh (joob joob)...

[VocalNeal]

The all time classic...

I asked one of my employees how to drive to Samutprakhan (from Rama 3), " very easy boss, you drive strait all the way, except sometimes turning right, and sometimes turning left"

Pure genius .....

When what you meant was how do I navigate to Samutprakhan (from Rama 3). The act of driving has nothing to do with navigation.

Speaking to people who's first language is not your own makes one examine exactly what you want to say, in your own language.

What you asked and they cant answer? can example some question?

Then the answer is. I don't know.

"I don't know" seems to be the most difficult phrase for a Thai. Or maybe also "I am not sure"

[NZdick1983]

Hang on.. I take it back.. I do recall some Thais having the ability to answer yes/no questions.. so I suppose it's an individual personality trait, rather than a cultural/race thing...

But yeah, does seem more prevalent there.. nothing to do with not understanding the question either, as I'm fluent in Thai.

[kjun12]

I don't want to appear disagreeable but I do feel that this is a cultural problem. Many things wrong with Thais is caused by their cultural problem.

[Nicethaiza]

Sometime when I need to explain something didnt mean I slippery like eel na Vamp...I dont think some people need the answer just yes or noo...So I talk to much ...but cuz talk to much make people think the answer didnt straight...lol

example you ask me did you like somtum? I should answer = Yes I like or no I dont but maybe I talk more than that...maybe I say hmm sometum is good but I think blah blah blah ...this is call slippery like eel ? lol

PS Next time you just ask me I love you or not...I can answer straight ==> Yes I am ei ei

[crackerjack101]

Fear of losing "face".
Fear of giving the "wrong" answer.
Fear of annoying the other person.
Fear of appearing ignorant.

Fear?

[Pragmatic]

I know when my question to my missus is too difficult. She always says 'what did you say'. This gives her extra time to think of an answer.

[Nicethaiza]

You guy try to ask girls..You are handsome or not...hmm ask 10 grils I want to know they will answer the same answer? everyone always different...

[Stumpy]

Honestly Kjun12, I think it is just the Thai's you might be associating with. In fact I find I get a lot more "Yes" or "No" answers when I want a bit more information.

Of course if I ask my wife a question, she says......."Go figure it our yourself" J/K.

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.

[Seekingasylum]

Thai detest being held personally responsible for anything they might say or do and it is taboo to attribute any unless it is complimentary. They can trust their own kind not to be so crass or rude to raise an issue or topic that will cause personal discomfort but farang are just fuckers and don't give a shit which is why they will not give substantive answers to them.
Circumlocution, evasion and simple "mai roo" are therefore endemic responses designed to foster the culture whereby no one can be personally responsible for when shit happens.

I think it goes back to the days when most Thai were mere serfs and slaves and their lives were worthless to the hierarchy that controlled them. To be held accountable for a mistake might result in death, torture, pain and humiliation so it was best to appear dumb and unknowing whenever the occasion arose. I guess the habit just stuck and is now hardwired into their DNA.

[crackerjack101]

Thai detest being held personally responsible for anything they might say or do and it is taboo to attribute any unless it is complimentary. They can trust their own kind not to be so crass or rude to raise an issue or topic that will cause personal discomfort but farang are just fuckers and don't give a shit which is why they will not give substantive answers to them.
Circumlocution, evasion and simple "mai roo" are therefore endemic responses designed to foster the culture whereby no one can be personally responsible for when shit happens.

I think it goes back to the days when most Thai were mere serfs and slaves and their lives were worthless to the hierarchy that controlled them. To be held accountable for a mistake might result in death, torture, pain and humiliation so it was best to appear dumb and unknowing whenever the occasion arose. I guess the habit just stuck and is now hardwired into their DNA.

Sounds about right.

I love the way that any criticism is always prefaced with something along the lines of;

"Somchai is very good. He's a very good husband.............. but........"

As soon as the positive gambit is played you know there's a negative coming up. All part of the game.

[NZdick1983]

^ What he said...

[crackerjack101]

This I didn't need to see dicky.

[kjun12]

Thai detest being held personally responsible for anything they might say or do and it is taboo to attribute any unless it is complimentary. They can trust their own kind not to be so crass or rude to raise an issue or topic that will cause personal discomfort but farang are just fuckers and don't give a shit which is why they will not give substantive answers to them.
Circumlocution, evasion and simple "mai roo" are therefore endemic responses designed to foster the culture whereby no one can be personally responsible for when shit happens.

I think it goes back to the days when most Thai were mere serfs and slaves and their lives were worthless to the hierarchy that controlled them. To be held accountable for a mistake might result in death, torture, pain and humiliation so it was best to appear dumb and unknowing whenever the occasion arose. I guess the habit just stuck and is now hardwired into their DNA.

So, to avoid being wrong, they live their lives as nincompoops. Great way to handle answering questions correctly. Definitely a culture with no progressive future.

[AndyCap]

Thanks for the English lesson, I have just asked my employee "how do I NAVIGATE to.......etc.?"

The answer was "what nafilate?"

Think I'll stick with the original plan...

[Sumbitch]

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.

If you really only want the question answered with a "yes" or "no" response add "chai ma?" ("yes no?") at the end of the sentence. If you want an open ended answer, put "chai?" at the end. They really are more responsive to questions asked in Thai. And it is a really beautiful language.

[Buckaroo Banzai]

Indirect answers are an attempt to be respectful,and sometimes to save face for not knowing or being unsure.
Directness is a sign of disrespect in Thai culture.