Which just made me feel an enormous surge of pride in being of Irish descent (well, you know, Heinz 57 varieties, but certainly including Irish). http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...es/biggrin.pnghttp://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...es/biggrin.pnghttp://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...es/biggrin.png

You have just defined Thai politeness in a very succinct way.

A need not to lose face. There is another thread running here on a similar theme. Some good observations and opinions on there too

just amazing how perception depends on where we are coming from. I've never seen anyone deliberatly trying to push me off the road. for me, that would be aggression.

A guy was shot and killed on an Interstate freeway last week in the Bay Area, California. This same interstate was the scene of multiple killings last year also. Just thought I'd put that in there for a perspective point.

I am sorry if this has offended you. I most certainly did not mean to do that. It was only started as aslightly nhunerous comment and to point out that driving in Thailand is not for the faint hearted.

Again sorry!!

We found that just accepting some of the unfamiliar traits with a sense of humor prevents getting annoyed. During our US Peace Corps training they prepared us for some of them. One of them was to ask 3 different people when for example you need directions. Also, never suggest an answer like pointing in a direction where you think the place you are looking for is. You risk getting agreement even if it is wrong. Thais often don't want to contradict you which you may call politeness. I learned that the hard way in Bangkok when I took the bus from the hotel to see my wife at Bumrungrad hospital way across town. I almost got off at the wrong stops twice. One time I asked a guy sitting next to me who nodded when I asked him. Turned out he was deaf-mute. http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag.../laughlong.gif I decided to be a little less adventurous and took a taxi back.

To be honest, I wasn't entirely sure. I'm not Irish, I'm Scottish (Irish Grandparents) I have lived in Ireland since 2001 and I do know that "Mick" or "Paddy" are used as derogatory terms for Irish. I just wasn't sure if it was used in the same manner from an American. Now I know the intentions. Thanks for letting me know.

The person that posted it hasn't bothered replying.

Your all comments are great, I just only want to mention about the words to start the topic was a bit http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...es/shocked.gif

Polite Thai people?

and

Polite Thai people while they are driving ?

I only show you ,how it could be changed into other subjecthttp://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag.../laughlong.gif., but I actually happy and no offened at all.

Thanks for your fast reply

Cheers

I have been ran off the road hundreds of times, both with my car and motorcycle, and if not alert I would be dead now.
It is not because a Thai has changed because he got in a car or because he is aggressive.
For the first thing, He has no idea about Traffic laws as most likely he has backhanded some cash to the officer and that is how he got his license and knows nothing about the traffic laws, and if he does understand some of them, they mean nothing to him as he is better than you anyway and you should give him right of way, thats why here flashing of lights means I have right of way and intend to use it, if you pull in front of me I will kill you.

Where in most country's it means that I will give you right of way so go ahead and make your move, I will look out for you.
Besides that, he might not even see you as you are not worthy and come in below his radar if he makes more than the average Thai and is a class above most.
And the main thing of all is the Police do not pay any attention to law enforcement so no Thai has to worry about it either, They never learned the laws and no need to start now, They were never taught to drive and there is no one to teach or monitor their skills, so you are on your own when on the hyways here.
But as has been stated earlier, you never know what they are going to do as logical thought is not a Thai thing so anything is possible so just watch out.

I have never been treated with anything other than consideration in Thailand.
Obviously we have both had different experiences.

OK, I agree with you. Someone who has lived in Thailand long term will start to see other traits that may annoy them.

As I was trying to say, this is not just a Thai thing, it happens around the globe.
As mentioned before, bad road use could get you shot in the USA and have you ever been to Rome? You have to dodge traffic on the footpath let alone being mindful of the roads.

There was a lot more behind FiP's rant than just the consideration, or lack of, that Thai people give to other road users.

What do you mean by "Mick"?

I think the point was that it was rather patronising

Although I can't speak for the OP - I think the point was how people's personalities change when they get behind the wheel of a car and the driving habits in different countries - I don't think any offense was intended - just to point out how people change when they are behind the wheel. http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...es/biggrin.png

Lol, I think that just about sums it all up.

HI
http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...s/offtopic.gif
sometimes we learn more about the people responding to thread by how and what they say. then we learn about the original topic of thread. after reading this forum for a few months I can almost see and guess how some of the regular members will respond to certain topics.http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...es/biggrin.png

He's not usually this bashful. http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...es/tongue2.gif

Good post

Also, the longer you stay the more readily you cope with some traits.

I haven't been to Rome but there is road rage in Athens.

People can and do get shot here in road rage incidents

I didn't consider the post as a rant, more a discussion on "politeness" or the lack of it. And yes, not just on the roads