Thread: Don't Wai Me

Originally Posted by mobs00

So what do you do?

Glasgow kiss?

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

It is rather amusing to observe.

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

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?

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

Originally Posted by mobs00

What if someone just starts saluting you? What then?

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

^^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.

I just give them "The look".

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.

Originally Posted by beano

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

Big C guards are my favourite.

Originally Posted by DrB0b

...saluting those giant pictures on the side of the road.

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

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.

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

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

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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.

I was told 30 years ago by my Father's Thai co-workers not to wai hookers.

Originally Posted by mobs00

They are obviously aware of this fact so why do it?

You are giving them far too much credit.

Originally Posted by English Noodles

though in that sittuation the staff realise, and I, as a third party observer realise that the tourist is just trying to be polite,

Yes that's true; however it is strangly embarrassing and I have seen some extremley shocked looks back from the Thai staff.

I'm not talking palms to face, I'm talking bowing quite low and wai-ing just for a cheeseburger

Originally Posted by good2bhappy

I was told 30 years ago by my Father's Thai co-workers not to wai hookers.

Absolutely correct. Paying them is common courtesy however.

Originally Posted by Mr Brown

Originally Posted by English Noodles

though in that sittuation the staff realise, and I, as a third party observer realise that the tourist is just trying to be polite,

Yes that's true; however it is strangly embarrassing and I have seen some extremley shocked looks back from the Thai staff.

I'm not talking palms to face, I'm talking bowing quite low and wai-ing just for a cheeseburger

That's weird. OTT strange...even for a tourist or newbie.