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Yurune
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For example, if a bar girl (your junior in social status) wais at you, wai back slightly and do not bow at all.
I would never return a wai from a bar girl. It's not a rude thing, but I've been here long enough to know that I don't need to. I don't think anything less of guys who do, they are only trying to be polite and that can only be a good thing.
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If you meet the Royals, bow and wai very very deeply and do not expect a bow or even a wai back.
I was in the company of high ranking royalty quite recently and the instruction before hand was bowing only....no wai's necessary, most of the Thai's were far better acquainted with protocol than I, and I saw not a single wai delivered the whole afternoon.
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I played football last night and at the end of the game when hand shakes were exchanged, several of them wai'd instead (or as well as). The wai was delivered with the fingertips at eye level. You will also notice that in informal settings such as this the palms of the hands don't even come close to touching, the hands are 'cupped with the thumbs kept in between the hands. I tend to think it's more of a 'cool' wai developed by the younger 'less formal' generation.
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on the subject of 'nak' which has been dealt with quite well above, I was always taught to think of it as skilled.....nak thurakit....one who is skilled at business....of course in the term nak rhien, student, who's to say where they are skilled at it or not, other than at results time?....
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 5:42 pm on Aug. 2, 2006
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vox
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Quote: from Yurune on 6:50 am on Aug. 3, 2006
wai-ing is, always, a tricky thing. age plays into it as well.
I've been scolded for *initiating* a wai with bar girls who are *younger* than me. returning wais to adults is always fine, unless you really think you're something special (don't do it!). that is, unless you aspire to be one of those big belly rich thai gangster guys who respects no one (like, um, thaksin)
however, initiating a wai in thai society is apparently a nono with someone younger than you...my ex-girlfriend always scolded me for even returning the wais of her 5-7 yr daughters...instead, you just nod your head, which says "good underling, you've shown me the proper respect". this threw me at first, as it's contrary to practice in cambodia (you always return kids' wais), a culture/language in which I'm an expert...not so for thai.
but yeah, in thailand, in general, not a good idea to initiate a wai to people in service sector jobs, though you can certainly return the wai. like it or not, as a rich farang (and if you've come up with the money for a plane ticket to thailand, you ARE rich, deal with it!) you are a social superior to service sector thais. if this bothers you, stay home.
vox
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 7:00 pm on Aug. 2, 2006
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Yurune
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Vox...spot on, waitresses, doormen, children all off the wai'ing list, I only wai peers and superiors, usually only in return, most of my professional superiors shake hands as a matter of course.
Thai's in business are fully in tune with this greeting.
I sat and watched the doormen at the Shangri La one day, as they wai'd each tourist that entered, they discussed the reactions they got. The guy who nodded politely in return was the only one to get their 'Seal of Approval', the wai's in return were critiqued, some receiving laughter as a rating.
It was all done discretely and with good humour. It was one of the most educational hours I have spent in Thailand, and more than made up for the fact that my date was late.....
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:25 pm on Aug. 2, 2006
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ThaidUp
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Well I saw one of most major public Thai faux pas that I ever seen. I went to the recent concert of the Black Eye Peas in BKK and during one song one of the singers comes dressed up in yellow and says he wants to show his respect to His Majesty as he is wearing yellow. He then pulls up his pant's leg, lifts his one foot and points to his even his shoes that were yellow. Doh
I guess no one told him that point with your feet is one of the worst things you can do to a Thai.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 8:01 pm on Aug. 2, 2006
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seajohn
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Yurune and vox, good and accurate observations to the best of my knowledge and practice. Yes, without going overboard, it's good to realize your place in all the relations as well as the Thai's you deal with.
Thai'dUp, double whammy, pointing foot especially in some relation to the King. Should've stopped while he was ahead. Hope people were able to get over it quickly and enjoy the show though.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:19 pm on Aug. 2, 2006
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ThaidUp
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Yes, I think most Thai's realize that he was trying to make a good gesture, but unaware of the culture which I find throughout the kingdom. Any gesture on your part in trying to conform to the culture is appreciated for the effort even if you do not know the exact rules of proper conduct.
Joe Six-pack in shorts, singlet and flip-flops should not even mae any effort in wai'ing. He just makes a bigger laughing stock at himself.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Beautiful Thai Girls
Posted on: 8:42 pm on Aug. 2, 2006
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Yurune
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Oh....and my date wasn't late....I remember now....we were both victims of not knowing that the Shangri-La has two receptions.....
Who'd be late for me after all??????????
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:08 pm on Aug. 2, 2006
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manowar
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The "wai" is more a "bless you" type of greeting. So I can agree that your probably do not "wai" to the Royals because you are not "endowed" with the power to "bless" them. But you certainly can "wai" to your inferior if they "wai" you first. My point was that the "bowing" is the a more accurate indication of your social status. A higher status person (farang) never bows (nods, yes) to a lower status person (BG, mamasan, taxi driver, hotel doorman...etc). But if they "wai" to the farang (bless you), you definitely can choose to "wai" (bless them) back.
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Thai Girls : Meet Active Thai Girls
Posted on: 12:55 am on Aug. 3, 2006
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Oaktoad
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not that I can add anything to this, but
wai ing service people is a waste of everyone's time
the nod acknowledges their gesture and is all that is necessary
as far as wai ing bar girls.. I only wai those that I really like and are regulars...
also, a wai can be used for fun.. for example, when I play golf and the caddy does something good for me.. I sometimes wai them with a big smile.. they enjoy that.. sort of like a high five
now we should have a discussion on whether we should salute back when the various service people in uniforms salute us LOL
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 5:44 pm on Aug. 3, 2006
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Mel Gibson
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There is no way ( or is that wai ) on gods earth I will "wai " a bar girl.This brings you into disrepute.
If she is a known "friend" thats different.
You do not wai children ( once again innapropriate), service personel,, well as already said a nod suffices.
I disagree that the bow or depth there of is the indication of position, I know that hand position relative to the nose is very important.
I "wai" my parents in law (when meeting after a long absence) with hand position of them being slightly above me in ranking due to age,, when I greet my wifes uncle I take the lesser "role" as he is not only substantially older than me but is also financially successfull and was the holder of a high position in the government.
On one of my first visits my new friend slapped me on the hand when I wai'ed his children,, no do that they only baby.Another time he did same when I was pooring a drink from the whiskey bottle,, you not do, is many younger people here THEY DO, you sit.
Look watch learn, like most thai customs it will become clearer with time and observation.
Cheers
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Attractive Thai Girls
Posted on: 10:22 pm on Aug. 3, 2006
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