Thread: What are the rules of "Thainess"?

Tom mentioned a "2nd rule of Thainess".
While I have no doubt it is a rule, I'm not sure of the rule's ranking in the list.

What are your nominations for "rules of Thainess"?

Tom's "2nd rule" was about appearances being more important than substance.

I'll put forward a couple, not in order.
Money is more important than love.
Saving face is more important than money.

Can we collectively compile a list of what it takes to be essentially Thai, and then can we rank the rules?

This is all about generalisations, of course, and there will be personal experiences of exceptions.

I've never seen a race of people so obsessed with food. My Missus literally shakes like a jonesing junkie if she goes more than about 3-4 hours without eating something, unless she's sleeping in which case no food is required for durations of up to 12 hours. Thainess.

Originally Posted by Headworx

I've never seen a race of people so obsessed with food. My Missus literally shakes like a jonesing junkie if she goes more than about 3-4 hours without eating something, unless she's sleeping in which case no food is required for durations of up to 12 hours. Thainess.

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Have you eaten yet?

Thainess vs Foreignness

Farang think too much.

tea bagging is not welcomed by strangers on a baht bus.

^Jingthing begs to differ- The Baht Bus Whisperer

Originally Posted by Maanaam

Money is more important than love.
Saving face is more important than money.

Really, very exceptional rules, hardly found in other countries (please no names here)...

พี่ น้อง and all it's variations which establish pecking order kinda a fundamental rule.

Thai people good heart and smile

1. If you pay the right person off - almost anything is possible.

2. They will literally let anyone teach their kids - teachers are to be held in the highest esteem even if they are crap.

3. All kinds of crazy are accommodated in Thai society in the name of face.

If you don't take an available shortcut, you're stupid.

Smile and Nod even if you haven't got the slightest fucking clue what a farang is saying to you.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Smile and Nod even if you haven't got the slightest fucking clue what a farang is saying to you.

and vice versa...

Sleep is a worthwhile activity and is to be commented on. Good sleep. Bad sleep. Raw sleep.

Orrens

Originally Posted by Orrens

Raw sleep.

Nothing to do right now? Sleep.

Originally Posted by Neverna

Nothing to do right now? Sleep.

Or eat....

It's considered rude to be on time.
Loud pipes save lives.

Someone should mention giving directions....particularly to farangs.

Originally Posted by Latindancer

Someone should mention giving directions....particularly to farangs.

FARANG: Singular and plural.

Eat, shit, sleep, repeat.

Work hard then waste the money on crap.

Facebook is the new Buddha.

Think about today and now without planning for the future.

Thainess.
Things you'll never understand.

Angst.

Support Manchester Utd thinking David Beckham still plays for that dodgy Trafford outfit

Never even consider looking at an instruction manual.

Be able to sleep on top of a wall.