How Foreigners Are Contributing to the Way Thais Interact: (continued from the post dated Aug 28, 08)

Before you read this post, pls devour the one on Aug 28, 08 for background

.................Despite the good intentions on the foreigners' part, we Thai people used to be a little embarrassed w/ how non Thais would join palms whenever, wherever, and to whomever.

I mentioned in my first post that we consider age and social standing before lifting the hands. We are not used to older people humbly thanking us or somebody w/ better credentials graciously sending an apology our way.

Generally, young people will be a little offended if an older one initiates the graciousness. They will not be pleased because it could mean they look older than they are. Or, it could mean they will die first because they are now “older.” Weird, hay?

Also, when you regard yourself as inferior or less experienced to somebody, you would never expect their humility to come your way.

However, foreigners have not been conforming at all.

I've seen daddy-type white men demurely greet someone who's young enough to be his grandson. Then, women of my mother's age submissively thank me for the direction. Again, there will always be my expat tenants who apologize to their maid, having forgotten to leave the salary on time. Can you imagine how awkward the maids would feel?

Who knows? This could mean you guys are (albeit unknowingly) bringing agelessness and equality to a society where everyone is supposed to be someone or no one when compared to someone else.

Yes, we were embarrassed or uncomfortable at first. Now, we are getting used to it as this is what expats and tourists do.

Now that we've sort of been conditioned to it, we start to like it and it would feel awkward if foreigners stopped doing it.

It’s not that we enjoy being regarded as older or superior or anything at all. Just appreciate when people from another culture respect what we hold dearly. No matter how mistaken a person can be, it is entirely a good gesture after all.

So keep up the good work.

Appreciative Joe