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Skip
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One more tip, although I'm not sure how the OP could use this in his upcoming situation, other than maybe just being aware of it and keeping an eye out for it.
When you refer to a professional you place a "nak" in front of the verb indicating their vocation.
Here's a helpful list of many: Nak
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:26 pm on Aug. 1, 2006
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barrafish
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What a load of shit. Tyfon you are going to f*** it up by taking a crash course on greetings, no offence intended there.
Someone mentioned here these professional people have travelled abroad at some time and are well aware of the world wide custom (except those arabs and muslims) of greeting by way of a simple handshake and saying, good morning doctor, good afternoon professor, good afternoon sister or whatever.
They are smart enough to think, that when abroad they would not use the various Thai greeting methods and they speak fairly good English. How the f*** are westerners going to answer their Thai greetings in western countries.
The people who you are going to meet know you are not Thai and only a visitor. They would not expect you to know the various forms of Thai greetings so maybe they would want to keep it simple as well, handshake.
When you are going to meet someone of high standing in LOS, judge the distance and as you approach, put out your right hand out for the hand shake, before they have time (if they would at all) to start the Thai greeting bit. They will not refuse to shake your hand and it is all over and finished, just keep it simple.
Us falungs would not have vaguest idea what goes through their minds if we do the bowing and wai bit and make a mess of it. They are so polite that they would not comment on it and if you ask them they most probably would say, 'You do good'.
When a Thai does the wai bit to me, I would not know where to clasp my hands, on the chest, chin, 4.5'' away from the nose, up the nose or wherever. As pointed out in previous photos, there are different methods, how are we supposed to know which is correct. I wait till they are raising their head and can see what I do, bow slightly to them and say the sawadeekrap bit.
However if you attempt the Thai greeting with them and happen to mess it up, they will not tell you. But you may have lost a bit of ground with them. They may think, 'arse crawler' or 'why did he do that, not good'.
And if you do happen to get it wrong and you know it, you could always say too them " On the Bangkok Tonite Forum they told me to do it that way, so dont blame me". If you live here, that is a different matter.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 5:38 pm on Aug. 1, 2006
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Skip
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Quote: from barrafish on 6:47 am on Aug. 2, 2006
As pointed out in previous photos, there are different methods, how are we supposed to know which is correct.
C'mon barra, don't be a lout. Here's a novel idea: Read the captions.
But it seems three options are three too many then, eh? 
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:05 pm on Aug. 1, 2006
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seajohn
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"Us falangs..."
Well, Barrafish, if you pardon me. Not to be pretentious at all, but those like myself who work here everyday and do have constant dealings with very educated and professional Thais on their own turf and have had to learn to be fluent in Thai language and culture to get so many processes moving--we do have an idea what to do, and how this helps our cause in dealing with Thais whether they've traveled or haven't traveled or no matter what their affluency rating is. That's why I replied to his post, and that's one benefit of this Forum.
In the sphere of institutional education in Thailand, these courtesies and ettiquettes are even more important than in the strictly commercial world and therefore (as I've said before) Tyfon's query was quite appropriate. The man is obviously associated with education on a level of influence (he is speaking before them) and a familiarity with and reasonable ability to attempt these common courtesies will be greatly appreciated. People will receive a better first impression, and that goes a long way toward their listening to him and offering him assistance.
For instance, haven't you ever seen a TV commercial with a foreigner wai-ing and realized how much Thai love it? It's better, in Tyfon's situation, to attempt it--not to worry, as you seem to,-about feeling silly. As was pointed out, the attempt to wai and to address people properly (actually very simple) will be more appreciated, more respected, and it will further Tyfon's cause, even if he is a little inaccurate.
Skip -- "nak" or "nuk" is used for a professional, someone who trains long, yes--but many positions (I think you know this) do not have this pronoun in front of their title. No one says nukkroo or nukajarn or nukgumnun or nuktumroowut or nukrajamontree, etc.
Again, Khun before the name will suffice. Unless they are universally titled Ajarn or Doctor, then use that after you learn. What's so awfully hard about this?
I think Tyfon's posting has been definatively answered, and so does he. It was a language question. He is correct culturally in asking it. The answer has not required him to do anything grueling, submissive, or foolish. With all due respect, unless there are further arcane questions, I would move that the subject be now considered pristine and eternal. Open the Holy Cartoons. Ahem. Gavel strike. Cough, Cough. Choir, please begin he final chant of climax... We are covered in chicken blood. Bring in the virgins.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 12:55 am on Aug. 2, 2006
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Oldtimer
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Early on I had to learn to greet the monks properly. It is very important that one accords Thai monks you meet in a public place proper respect. I was helped in this regard over 30 years ago by an abbot friend who thought I should be taught some manners.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 3:28 am on Aug. 2, 2006
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PopSecret
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I say go for it and do your best to master the titles to the extent you feel you can. The fact that you took it seriously enough to give it your best shot would count in my book. If things aren't going smoothly then you can always fall back to the basics and blow off the flourishes. Unless you're blind or distracted you'll probably get a few inadvertent clues as to how well you're doing and be able to use that to decide to keep it up or drop it.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 6:21 am on Aug. 2, 2006
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barrafish
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SJ,
I can go along with your last post, thanks. I thought my little comment may have aroused some warm feeling's of the heart. My last paragraph should have given the game away.
Fortunately or unfortunately, I do not have to deal with Thai's in a formal manner. The fortunate part is that I can live in BKK, moderately comfortable. And the really really good part is that I do not have to work, so please do not take that the wrong way anybody, I just got lucky.
I like the Thai custom otherwise I would not be here. The unfortunate part is that I should have moved here over 6 yrs ago and maybe the mind could have grasped their custom's much much easier. So slowly learning.
Skip...Yeah I know, 3 photo's, the Monk, parent/older person & friend. Did not see the one's for Professor, Doctor, lecturer etc, that member Tyfon was asking for. Anyway's smart idea to take the photo, they have and would come in handy. Good luck Tyfon, hope it goes well for you and I am being serious here, no wind up.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:15 am on Aug. 2, 2006
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manowar
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In most Asian cultures, the degree of "bowing" represents your social status. When two peopel meet (or depart), for the equals, you either do not bow to each other or you bow very slightly to each other (if one party initiats the bow) at about the same angle. A junior person bows deeper to the senior persons who bows back very slightly. And if you are way senior, then you do not bow back at all even the junior person bows at you. Applying that to Thailand, you can (and should) wai back to anyone who wais at you, but combine that with the correct bowing custom, you should be fine. For exemple, if a bar girl (your junior in social status) wais at you, wai back slightly and do not bow at all. If your thai friend ( equal to you in social status) wai at you, wai back at the same level he wais you. If he does not bow, you do not bow. If you meet the Royals, bow and wai very very deeply and do not expect a bow or even a wai back.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:14 am on Aug. 2, 2006
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LocalYokul
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Quote: from manowar on 11:22 pm on Aug. 2, 2006
If you meet the Royals, bow and wai very very deeply
like that's gonna f***in' happen, 555
although, I have seen the princess at RGP, and was 5 feet from the other when she did a grand opening of a company
but it's not like I am gonna go up and chew the fat with her 
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 11:06 am on Aug. 2, 2006
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manowar
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Well, LY, we are not all "bottom feeders" like you, you know.....5555555 x 222222
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 11:31 am on Aug. 2, 2006
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