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mobs00

What is with these foreigners that “wai” other foreigners. I mean what are you supposed to do when some guy wai’s you at a bar?

I get this quite often at my place and it’s always just weird. There I am saying hello and the guy wai’s me. WTF? It’s uncomfortable, what do they expect? That I'm gonna return the favor? I wasn’t born here and I am almost certain they weren’t either. On top of that when they do it it's always over exaggerated with that stupid head cocked to the side look and the hands up high near the forehead. They are obviously aware of this fact so why do it? Does it look cool? Are they thinking: “Hey look at me I’m integrated.”



What’s next? Foreigners buying photos and calendars to put in their home? Wearing certain colors on certain days?

So what do you do? Just leave them hanging? Like someone’s about to give you a high five and no one’s there?

Me? Put your hand out and I’ll shake it but I’m not gonna wai you.

good2bhappy

LOL
they are obviously insane
Avoid them!

dirtydog

Leave them hanging and ask them what the fok do they think they are doing.

Marmite the Dog

Glasgow kiss?

DrB0b

I raise my right hand, palm outward, separate my fingers into a V with two fingers either side, and say Nanu Nanu!

Rural Surin

It is rather amusing to observe.

beano

Never seen it. I've really got to start getting out more.
.... or maybe I don't.

mobs00

It's just weird. You expect a Thai to do it but when a foreigner does it you get caught off guard.

What if someone just starts saluting you? What then?

beano

I always salute the security guys on the shopping mall entrances when driving in. We're talking a totally different greeting here.

good2bhappy

I always salute back if they are in uniform
I remember to salute the uniform not the man

DrB0b

^^That's even more weird! I salute royal portraits, catholic priests, and doctors. To show my deep respect for all of them I salute with both hands at the same time. I've had 17 motorbike crashes caused by saluting those giant pictures on the side of the road.

Fuzzy Bob

I just give them "The look".

mobs00

I do get the guys just off the boat who wai everything in sight but these guys I am talking about have lived here long enough to know when it's appropriate or should know.

Rural Surin

Big C guards are my favourite.

mobs00

I've even seen foreigners doing that. That's pretty odd in itself.

Mr Brown

I see farang tourist giving the McDonalds guys here on KSR a nice big wai when they get their Chicken Mcnuggets and change.

Creeps me out, you wouldn't go round the counter and give a Mc Donalds staff member a big slap on the back and squeeze back in the West.

mobs00

^ no, just a pat on the ass and say "nice work"

mobs00

Come to think of it, that's sounds a whole lot better than wai-ing my staff.

Rural Surin

One would think {long-time residents} that Thai friends or family would pull them aside and set them straight. After years, you thnk they'd pick up on the this and that - obviously not.

English Noodles

That gives me a chuckle to myself and a little shiver at the same time, though in that sittuation the staff realise, and I, as a third party observer realise that the tourist is just trying to be polite, a lot better than some drunken wankers I see being purposfuly being rude to the staff.

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