Rose in Thailand

This is what I've learned of the culture so far...

The traditional greeting of Thais is called a "wai" which is the equivalent of a handshake only much sweeter to receive. They put their palms and fingers together, placing over one's face below the eyes and slightly bow their heads. The common greeting is "sawat-dii khrap (for males) and kha (for females.) So, when I greet people I say, "sawat dii ka."

When greeting someone older than yourself you address them respectfully as "khun" (sounds like koon) before their first name. (Unfortunately, I've been koon Robin more than not! (But, they think I am younger than I am which is nice.) The population seems to be under thirty everywhere. I read somewhere that the average life span is 69 years---not sure how accurate that is. Younger people are referred to as "nawng" (sounds like nom) before their first name.

I have very quickly learned some dos and don'ts in my ten days here. Never point one's feet at people or religious objects. The feet are considered the lowest part of the body, spiritually as well as physically. It is considered very impolite to prop your feet on chairs or tables while sitting or to touch any part of someone's body with your foot. I made a mistake the first week by touching a small girls head-big no no. The head is considered as the highest, most sacred part of the body and one should not ruffle another's hair or touch their head. And of course, shoes are removed before entering anyone's house and before entering temples.

Despite the blazing heat and humidity, I quickly decided to go along with the code of appropriate dress here in order to be polite and respectful. No shorts or sleeveless dresses or shirts. Shawls and scarves can easily be bought (usually made from beautiful silk or Thai cotton) for wearing over and concealing the shoulders. All I brought with me were sleeveless clothes! So I "had" to go shopping and found to my delight many beautiful light weight, naturally dyed cotton shirts. My mission before leaving Thailand is to purchase some Thai silk; it is stunning.

Thai hospitality is amazing and truly warms the heart (jai). Whenever one is invited into a Thai's home they are given something to eat and drink. It is considered impolite to refuse such hospitality. I went to visit a temple (wat) with a Thai woman (Kid and her daughter Boo) and she was very concerned that I hadn't eaten before the tour. She kept asking me if I would like to eat. I kept declining because I was more interested in seeing the temple and the heat had all but killed my appetite. After the temple, we immediately went in search of something to eat for me. She gave me money to buy lunch and would not consider it when I tried to return the money to her. Later, when she invited me to her apartment, she immediately fed me another meal and Pepsi!

I found out later she was going to take me on a boat ride but didn't because she was concerned that I hadn't eaten yet! Food is very important to Thais. They will ask you upon meeting you if you have eaten or are hungry. The best thing to say is that you've already eaten, unless you are interested in eating at that moment. Thais eat all day long--- very small portions of food. Our three square meals a day is a very strange concept to them. One eats when one is hungry here and that is easy to do with all the food available on the streets from sunrise late into the night.