Thread: Have you picked up any Thai mannerisms, traits?

I often find myself doing that annoying escalator thing, not taking the first step but almost, then stepping back until another two have come out. Then it's safe to step on and ride down....all while holding my phone and staring into it.

I stand and study the ATM 30 seconds before and after use, even longer when I know a fellow farang is waiting.

I am finding it hard to stop holding the door open for whoever's behind me, despite the natives never doing it for me. It's one of those traits you grow up with...

A sleep as a way to pass time and need spice on most foods for it not to be too bland for me. Rice can be eaten for any meal.

I litter, I lie alot, and I can't keep my finger out of my nose.

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Originally Posted by jamescollister

Probably picked up more Thai ways than I know, but biggest one, I don't give a shit how big your house is, how much your car cost.

Good grief. We must live in a different Thailand.

No doubt we do, so go on and tell me how your big house, up market car makes for a more contented life.

I live a simple life, no doors or windows locked, my kids play on the concrete road, playing with other kids.

As said we are in Australia, so the kids can get there English up, not that broke [yet] kids want to go home, I want to go home, Thailand.

You only have to search google/ you tube to see how I live, for me it's not to bad.

Don't own a car (or a pick up or other), and live in a small, rented two bedroom townhouse within walking distance of work.

Point is, I agree with you. You don't need many of those things. But if you think that is a common trait in Thailand, well, like I said, you must live in a different Thailand to me.

The need to have the latest phone, motorcycle, fashion accessory, pick up, big house etc literally drives most of Thailand (into debt). The desire to keep up with (or preferably to better) the Somchais next door is as much as thing here as it is anywhere.

Most of my missuses friends have big houses, new cars etc - and they are in debt up to their f*cking eyeballs. We on the other hand live relatively modestly, within my income, have money in the bank and don't owe any f*cker anything.

I am, I admit, appreciative of the missus. She itches a bit about the things she does not have (house, car) but sees sense that how her friends live is effing insane.

I nod to drivers who yield or do something nice. Doubt they can see me though because I have a 60% tint on my windshield.

Originally Posted by nidhogg

Point is, I agree with you. You don't need many of those things. But if you think that is a common trait in Thailand, well, like I said, you must live in a different Thailand to me.

Yes, a very different part of Thailand, small village that only got electricity about 12 years ago.
The only people with real jobs are the school teachers, no one else works full time and they really don't care enough for material things to go get a job.

I walk slower than I used to.

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

I walk slower than I used to.

Do you span the sidewalk with your friends?

"When I retire, I'm still gonna' wake up at 6AM, get in my car and drive slow on a one-lane road to make all these fuckers late to work!"
~ Unknown

I really like using the bum guns so much I hate to even think about using tissues.

I'll also walk on the side of a road or path that offers the most shade.

Always keep my money folded in my shirt pocket.

I say 'Uh' more often than 'Yes'.

Originally Posted by thaimeme

Does picking one's nose, indifferently, in public qualify as an adopted mannerism...?

i wasthinking along the same lines. 555

i also do the head dip in preference to the waa.

yes i forgot the ur sound, i use it a lot, mostly as a piss take, it seems its a bit rude/impolite just love using that one 555

I'm sorry but one simply cannot let that daft observation by the OP go by without comment. To nod one's head acknowledging a politeness and then to move on with alacrity so as not to prolong the encounter lest one leaves the stranger with the impression he is a mere servant of some sort, is no more solely a Thai mannerism than yelping with pain because someone dropped a fucking brick on your foot.

Bobbing one's head at a stranger on whom you have just inflicted a fair heft of cretinous behaviour is however perhaps uniquely Thai - i.e a chickenhead lost in his own world rides his cycle across your path while travelling in your car at some speed causing you a transient ischemic shock as you flatten the pedals screaming involuntarily at the top of your voice " NO" generally precipitates a bobbing of his wee head towards you as he lurches off into a less contentious direction.


This Mad Dog is the Dog Drummond thought was Dirty Dog when he accused him of inappropriate behaviour whilst teaching in Leicester, thus provoking a wonderfully rambunctious thread that went on for weeks and rippled into several people's lives.

Well, was Leicester a good gig?

^
I think a Japanese headbob and a British headbob are not the same as either other nor the same as a Thai one.

no one else works full time and they really don't care enough for material things to go get a job.

i.e. they are bone idle village chickenheads.

Ten off the top of my head:
1) I find that I'm using powder more now than in all my previous years
2) I put ice in my shyte Thai beer
3) I use a bumm-gun and use much less paper
4) I expect my Thai gf to clean up after meals
5) I prefer utilizing a spoon over a fork to eat most Thai dishes noodles inclusive
6) I put up with ladyboys giving me a hug and men dancing 'in my space' at social gatherings or occasions
7) I don't call anyone a "fookin' moronic imbecile with less grey matter than a newt" in front of other people to help them save face and unfortunately keep it bottled up inside until somehow subsides
8) I rarely if ever wei a youngster unless they are extremely respectful or I'm at a speaking engagement that involves many persons in the room
9) I take off my shoes before entering anyone's home even if they tell me not to
10) I don't listen to the General's weekend inspirational talks

Originally Posted by mad_dog

I've spent far,far more of my adult life in Thailand than in the UK but have certainly not gone native

Then what have you been doing for the last 7 years? Glad to see you finally escaped that Burmese fishing boat. I spent all the money so don't expect any refunds

I'm a past it, low class middle aged bitter woman. My husband left me for a 17yo neighbour the day I turned 30. I often whiten my face to the point I look like a circus act, but I still go shopping at Big C in the hope I am percieved as hi-so by anyone darker. My vagina is drier than the Sahara so I need something other than sex to scratch the itching ego.

Originally Posted by DJ Pat

I'm a past it, middle aged bitter woman. My husband left me the day I turned 30. I often whiten my face to the point I look like a circus act, but I still go shopping at Big C in the hope I am percieved as hi-so by anyone darker.

Check your inbox, I bet you've just received several hundred PMs from desperate TD members.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

Check your inbox, I bet you've just received several hundred PMs from desperate TD members.

Are there several hundred members? 😜

That was the decription of one of the matches I had on thaifriendly.com

I've caught myself stating the incredibly obvious (rather than the merely obvious) on a number of occasions.

Fret.

Also (mostly in Thailand, tho it's acceptable in Arabia as well), I'll take a short time out, near a register or somewhere in public and just stare into space....trying to remember what I'd forgotten.

Originally Posted by taxexile

no one else works full time and they really don't care enough for material things to go get a job.

i.e. they are bone idle village chickenheads.

Yep and they find it strange that anyone would want to work 40/50 hours a week for 40 years to keep a roof over their head and food on the table.

They have food and a home, may be just a hut, but no stress and seem happier than most.

Know which I prefer, rather go for a slash in the local river with my kids, then drive a new BMW to some dead end job.

Everybody to their own, I just like living in the moment, enjoy what is in front of me, not what could be.

No krup.

If I think of something funny I hear a 'boing!' sound in my head