Great suggestion.

A guide to the shifts in gestures and language you need to make when in different regions/ social circles would be very helpful.

Down south they always think Pee Bin wais too much and says khrap too much - and if you are being too formal you are being distant.

Up North you can never wai or say khrap too much but, otherwise, interactions are generally rather relaxed and familiar.

In Bangkok things tend to feel a lot more formal - although maybe it's the circles I move in, rather than Bangkok across-the-board.

btw, when it comes to ¾Õè ¹éͧ, there is no way I have ever been able to talk a 4, 5, or 6-year-old out of the belief that his/her cousins are not brothers and sisters. they add up all their siblings and cousins when asked how many brothers/sisters they have, and even though they understand fully that some of these ¾Õè ¹éͧ don't have the same parents as they do, they cannot be shaken. not that I tried to push very hard though http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...lies/smile.png I think it is nice to have such closely knit families.

I had exactly the same experience in Taiwan.

http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag.../laughlong.gif
Yes! That does make more sense!

I was staying at a hotel in Naklua (Chonburi) Is the town spelled ¹èÒ¡ÅÑÇ ????? http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/images/smilies/eek.png

Keeping the Head low.
 

Being socially successful in the rural villages of Isaan is not that complicated; if you are polite, then you will be successful.

In most interactions with people from Thailand the first few minutes of your first conversation can be a little unnerving for a displaced Farang:

"How old are you?"
"Is you mother and father still alive?"
"How much money do you make?"

These types of questions may be a little rude in Western Countries but they are perfectly normal in Thailand.

"How old are you?" is one of the fundamental questions. If you are one minute older than another person, then you will be called pee(your name). If you are one minute younger, then you will be called nong(your name).

One thing is for certain in the village: age has its privileges.

Here is a tip: Whether it is in a house or at a public gathering when you pass between an elderly person and whatever they are looking at or pass next to an elderly person while they are looking at you it is polite to make an effort to place your head lower than theirs.
If they are standing, sitting, or even lying on the floor/ground and you are walking by, then getting your head actually lower is not the point; making the gesture is the point. Bend a little at the knees and drop you chin just a little as you pass and you will be the polite farang that everybody will have something nice to speak about.

Pay attention when you see the Thais interact with elderly people and you will see it comes very naturally; almost unnoticed. Because Farangs are still a novelty in the village they are watched closer and that is an opportunity to show you want to be polite.

so true. the age thing (and the relevant forms of address) and keeping your head low when passing by someone definitely apply even in Bangkok high-rise offices.

Same with me!! And I'm not even an expat! http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.png

55555555555 So so so so true!

Richard mentioned in the school video thread that students approach him at his table down on their knees when they go up to him to ask something.

That would be quite scary http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/images/smilies/wink.png if it was, I believe the spelling is ¹Òà¡Å×Í. http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...lies/smile.png

David

it happened to me as well. I even wai'd people back home - now, that was weird http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...es/shocked.gif

While these traditions are important to know (lowering your head, ¾Õè ¹éͧ, ¡Ô¹¢éÒÇËÃ×ÍÂѧ ) I think it is important to point out that these are traditions from all regions of Thailand, not just Isaan.

I think it might be worthwhile to have a thread on the differences between village life and city life....or a thread on Thai culture/politeness.

Works elsewhere in Thailand too-and such "good behavior" often leads to Thai strangers being more relaxed and willing to to talk/help, rather than avoid, you from my own limited experience in the far north.

And then .... "you know you're an expat when..." you still do this in your home country with non Thais. My friends and co-workers look at me so oddly... but sorry, it's ingrained now.

I was staying at a hotel in Naklua (Chonburi) two years back and the maid was a young girl, it think she was about 13 or 14. If I was in my room when she returned my laundry she would get on her knees as soon as she came through the door and walk across the room on her knees to deliver my laundry to me. This so that she wouldn't be higher than me (sitting in wheelchair I an not very tall.) http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...ies/butbut.gif

David

Agreed on the point, also is widespread gesture in Laos and Cambodia as well. Possible even further I do not know. I like your other idea Pailin on the differences, I look forward to those coming too. http://www.thailandqa.com/forum/imag...lies/smile.png

This is one of the single most important tips I have seen on this board. The entire region of SE Asia seems skeptical of body language and this is by far the most important of body language when not in your own peer group in my eyes. Not just in Thailand but even abroad at a Thai wedding in Denmark, a wild drinking house warming party in Canada or at a wat in Atlanta - it does not matter where. This is by far the single biggest way to show respect to not just the elderly but to anyone older than you even by just a couple years.

It is never commented on that I have heard, but there is certainly acceptance in the air when you see it done by someone else. Watch the faces of the people in the room when it is done by a farang and you will see there is a much warmer attitude and a slight smile will appear as they enter and leave the room.