Thread: a true smile

Gentlemen, I'm a new guy but not so new to have read lots of talk about the Thai smile. Sorry if this topic title reminds you of your cat lapping up the remains of last night's binge off the bathroom floor but I'm wondering about the nature of a true smile and I need your help.

I look to the eyes, never the mouth or teeth. Isn't there some truth to the fact those crow's feet we develop at our eye's edge are considered attractive by many people because they highlight the eyes and thus the smile? Thais smile with the mouth and the eyes as many of us do. I've been observing for a couple of months now and I've noticed Thais don't do the eye smile any better than anyone else in the world. Even though the smile is revered as much to a Thai as a jar of marmite might be to you, do they really do it as well as they're billed?

Thais smile because they have to, and it sorely shows. Its all part of their culture, to superficially try to be something they're not.

Big toothy smiles, eyes all atwinkle, yeah they do. I noticed so many true smiles on the faces of folks walking along the river last night. Usually a genuine smile in their direction is the catalyst that brings it forward.

Originally Posted by friscofrankie

Usually a genuine smile in their direction is the catalyst that brings it forward.

So you buy into their way of portraying yourself?

I bet they'd smile back if they were about to kick the shit out of their girlfriend for fucking around when they get home.

Yep, I agree. Flash a smile yourself and you'll get one back. It feels good.

Be a sourpuss and and see people frown.

Originally Posted by Skulldigger

Yep, I agree. Flash a smile yourself and you'll get one back. It feels good.

Why does it feel good? Thais are trained to smile whatever, so what is the point other than superficial bs. They could just wear a T shirt saying "I'm happy" and save the physical effort.

Originally Posted by Camel Toe

Gentlemen, I'm a new guy but not so new to have read lots of talk about the Thai smile. Sorry if this topic title reminds you of your cat lapping up the remains of last night's binge off the bathroom floor but I'm wondering about the nature of a true smile and I need your help.

I look to the eyes, never the mouth or teeth. Isn't there some truth to the fact those crow's feet we develop at our eye's edge are considered attractive by many people because they highlight the eyes and thus the smile? Thais smile with the mouth and the eyes as many of us do. I've been observing for a couple of months now and I've noticed Thais don't do the eye smile any better than anyone else in the world. Even though the smile is revered as much to a Thai as a jar of marmite might be to you, do they really do it as well as they're billed?

There's different smiles for different occasions. It should be called "Land of 25 and a half smiles" instead, because some smiles are phony, others are neutral, some are sheepish, some are even hostile - whereas the smiles you get in response when you genuinely smile yourself, feel very sincere, and just for the sake of smiling and how good it feels.

On the other hand, walk into any place where the staff have been trained in "service", and experience the same phony smiles you can see from the US to Europe and everywhere where smiling is a business argument.

Originally Posted by beware of the dog

Originally Posted by Skulldigger

Yep, I agree. Flash a smile yourself and you'll get one back. It feels good.

Why does it feel good? Thais are trained to smile whatever, so what is the point other than superficial bs. They could just wear a T shirt saying "I'm happy" and save the physical effort.

I am sure your experience of people, and of Thailand, have taught you the ability to tell a fake smile from a genuine one? Unless you were occupied with frowning, that is.

No but I think that people tend to smile more in banana republics than inthe first world. Singaporeans smile less than Thais. Its not related to happiness or success. Its down to having lower expectations about life due to limited education and prospects, hence accepting their life is going nowhere,all part of buddhist karma about accepting shit with a smile as part of getting to somehwere better upon reincarnation. Hence it is fabricated superficial contentment,which some farangs love and find refreshing in their quest to be happy themself.

Ah, but smiling still feels good. Try it.

Originally Posted by Skulldigger

Ah, but smiling still feels good. Try it.

When it is genuine,of course.

But when it is fabricated and expected?

^You fabricate smiles?

the original poster is talking about true smiles. People that know thailand know that thai smiles arent true, in that they are a means to an end in most cases.

Read this book:

Siam Smiles

Ignore the stupid, inappropriate cover. The contents are both insightful and clever and wrapped around the multitude of Thai smiles.

Originally Posted by beware of the dog

Singaporeans smile less than Thais. .

Thats due to having to work 14 hours a day to afford a meagre flat and put food on the table.

I stopped smiling about 5 years ago too. Now if you see me smile its probably just indigestion or something.

Originally Posted by beware of the dog

People that know thailand know that thai smiles arent true, in that they are a means to an end in most cases.

They obviously saw through you pretty easily for you to have had such a negative experience. But what can you expect if your experience of Thai people is limited to paying young men for sex?

edited by dirtydog

Originally Posted by Camel Toe

Even though the smile is revered as much to a Thai as a jar of marmite might be to you

a jar of vegemite might get me going...

Ahhh, I thought I remembered you BOTD, now I know who you are....

Originally Posted by Marmite the Dog

They obviously saw through you pretty easily for you to have had such a negative experience. But what can you expect if your experience of Thai people is limited to paying young men for sex?

You are one sick sack of shit man

edited by dirtydog