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To wai or not to wai ?
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10-04-2007, 10:00 PM
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ulw7A8Po
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Oct 2005
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415
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I didn't say the word farang did
But yes when my in-laws had their son request that I wai them. It was not because they wanted to watch a farang wai. It was not because they were uncomfortable shaking my hand. It was not because it was their culture.
It was a combination of all, the same way students will wai their teacher (Thai Kruu or Farang), a matter of respect. The only one way the wai is considered a cultural gesture is the fact that it is the primary gesture Thai's use to show respect due.
People wai out of respect, not because they wish to xerox a culture. If someone is offended by such cultural 'lines' , then allow me to ask a question.
Why do the Thai people allow farang to stand during their national anthem? Why do Thai people expect farang to respect the monks? Why do Thai people expect the farang to not raise his voice in anger? Why do the Thai people allow the farang to enter the temples? Or even take pictures next to the temples?
Those all cross the cultural 'lines' much more so than a simple handshake or a wai. Nowhere you agree that my wife's parents expecting me to wai is a respect and a culture thing. That is what I think too. But respect being foremost, simply using the culture (the wai) to express it because that is how it is best recognized. So before getting upset about a wai, consider the ways the Thai people encourage assimilation of the culture to the farang by allowing them to takes pictures with monks, temples, and allowing them to stand during the national anthem. The wai however is used as a way to express respect. Taking a picture with a monk is not, that is a way to cross those culture lines.
I don't think my wife's father would understand if I leaned over American Style and kissed his wife on the face! lol
As for quote it is tricky, but you did it well.
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