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Sarge
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This is a tricky subject when many farangs get it wrong (especially those, like me, who are occasional visitors to the Kingdom) – when and if to wai?
I remember seeing a tourist in Koh Samui, back in June, at the local Thai boxing stadium cheering and wai-ing any Thai boxers who came out of the ring; he enthusiastically wai-ed both losers and winners. I couldn’t help sneering at him even though his intentions were honourable, in trying to conform to local customs. It must be said that he was American, as could gather from the way he spoke English.
Wai-ing is such complex issue that I steer clear from it and I would only consider wai-ing someone whom I definitely consider of far superior status than me. Never Ever wai a bar girl or someone of considerably inferior status than yours - This is a massive faux pax!
I’d like to hear from the expat community on how they deal with this subject………
Sarge
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:24 am on Dec. 27, 2003
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Smegma
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http://www.thaistudents.com/thebeach/thaiwai.html
As a rule, if someone wais you, you should always wai back. However, it is not considered correct to wai children or to wai someone who is thanking you for your patronage. Thais are aware that foreigners don’t use the wai and in situations where you are unsure, a nod and a smile will always pass as an acceptably polite response.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 9:36 am on Dec. 27, 2003
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Sarge
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Mucha gracias Smegma, top consejos como siempre.
I always smile and nod when people wai me or find myself in a positon of gratitude towards others.
I'll read in the website later.
Ta ta for now
Sarge
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:47 am on Dec. 27, 2003
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DrLove
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Sarge, a good thing to steer clear away from it clear. As you said, it's such a complex matter.
It will possible avoid a situation where you wai and the Thai will stick out his hand.... 
Also, there are different sorts of wais.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 11:00 am on Dec. 27, 2003
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Smegma
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Basically 4 types of wai: the tips of the thumbs touch four different places: 1) chest 2) chin 3) nose 4) forehead. You can play safe with number 2 - to the chin.
Forehead wai is reserved to images of the Buddha and to greet monks and the King.
Nose wai for teachers and parents.
You won't be going wrong with the chin wai. Personally I tend to only wai in return or when meeting someone older and obviously senior like the parents of my local friends -in which case I have to go and do it first (which I hate).
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 12:33 pm on Dec. 27, 2003
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hzink
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I only Wai when wai'd to, or when entering a temple, or greeting a monk.
Any other time, I found a nod will do just fine.
Harry
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:05 pm on Dec. 27, 2003
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Ballsburstin
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When I went upcountry the first time to visit my TGF's family, she said, "teelakja, you have to do, I show you," referring to wai'ing her parents.
So she showed me the correct wai for them. Naturally, I've forgotten already, but I think it was a chin wai with a little bow at the waist. I guess it must have worked, as we shacked in her parents house, and did some boom-boom while they "slept" upstairs. Her dad is pooyaiban of the village, so I made an effort to show him respect when we were together alone or with others from the village. A little respect goes a long way upcountry.
But I'd be hard pressed to know how to do this even halfway right, and tend to do the smile and handshake. I have a good relationship with one of her uncle's in BKK (the taxi driver), and he always offers his hand for a handshake when we meet, accompanied by a hearty "sawatdeekhup!"
- Balls
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 2:06 pm on Dec. 27, 2003
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ringthebells
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the lower the wai, the less the respect. I wai thai friends if they wai me, mothers in law and parents firstly (theirs).
I even saw the "dying elephant" at a wedding...
you can even wai bg's back if they wai you, it's up to you if you want to show your respect and appreciation to them.
all in all, I think it is a nice gesture.
how many bacterias change hands with a single handshake??
rtb
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:32 am on Jan. 5, 2004
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Smegma
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Quote: from ringthebells on 8:32 pm on Jan. 5, 2004
how many bacterias change hands with a single handshake??
rtb
It varies depending on the degree of cleanliness of hands. But it is estimated that the usual handshake of hands in an urban environment evens itself out for about 80% of the bacteria (ie you get back what you already have). The net effect of the other 20% is about 1200 of an aggregate of up to 15 different species per square centimeter of hand that makes contact.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 7:40 am on Jan. 5, 2004
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