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**RayFairhurst** · 09-22-2012, 06:12 AM

Slightly off topic, but I have noticed that generally Thai people don't say "please" and "thank you" even though they have words for them. This isn't because they are not polite. They have other ways to show respect like saying "krap/kaa". This causes problems when they start speaking English because they don't sound so polite. In our culture, we have to say "please" and "thank you". Thai people don't understand why I say "thank you" in Thai when the cashier gives me my change. They argue that I have just given them money and it should be the other way around. But, I tell them that I am thanking them for their service.

This is not every Thai as I see some say "thank you". But then maybe not as often as me. I even say "thank you" to the bus driver when I get off the bus.

Ohh, yes, the British 'thank you'--LOL, this was one of my first culture shocks during my first days in England. When I returned to my hotel to pick up my key from the desk, the guy at the counter always said "thank you very much" before I could even bat an eyelash. And the chambermaid also thanked me after she cleaned my room. This got me disoriented; I thought it's I who should thank them, not the other way around!

However, after I week I picked up the practice and I didn't allow anyone anymore to beat me in saying "thank you very much".

09-22-2012, 06:12 AM	#11
RayFairhurst Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 496 Senior Member	Slightly off topic, but I have noticed that generally Thai people don't say "please" and "thank you" even though they have words for them. This isn't because they are not polite. They have other ways to show respect like saying "krap/kaa". This causes problems when they start speaking English because they don't sound so polite. In our culture, we have to say "please" and "thank you". Thai people don't understand why I say "thank you" in Thai when the cashier gives me my change. They argue that I have just given them money and it should be the other way around. But, I tell them that I am thanking them for their service. This is not every Thai as I see some say "thank you". But then maybe not as often as me. I even say "thank you" to the bus driver when I get off the bus. Ohh, yes, the British 'thank you'--LOL, this was one of my first culture shocks during my first days in England. When I returned to my hotel to pick up my key from the desk, the guy at the counter always said "thank you very much" before I could even bat an eyelash. And the chambermaid also thanked me after she cleaned my room. This got me disoriented; I thought it's I who should thank them, not the other way around! However, after I week I picked up the practice and I didn't allow anyone anymore to beat me in saying "thank you very much".
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