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DO’s and DON’Ts in Thailand. Wave

Mar 15th, 2006 by Lillian

When you want to signal for someone to come to you you hold our palm downward and move your fingers up and down. To do it any other way would be rude. Farang are used to shouting across a big distance. You will never see a Thai person doing that. Its better to walk over to the person or try and catch their attention in a less loud and obvious way.
This is a hard one when you have small children with you and you are trying to do grocery shopping. Its hard to not to be loud ! In such a case I’m usually already totally stressed out and then when people around me stop what they are doing and stare at me, or even comment then its really hard to keep cool! So not raising your voice is a really good idea

Posted in Thailand Culture | 7 Comments

7 Responses to “DO’s and DON’Ts in Thailand. Wave”

on 15 Mar 2006 at 7:38 am1Preya

Hi Lillian! I think it’s hard for foreigners not to attract attention. I always feel slightly rude no matter how hard I try because I have American mannerisms and body language! Thai people are particularly sensitive to body language I think–not touching heads, pointing feet away from each other, etc.
on 15 Mar 2006 at 11:51 am2Elemmaciltur

I’d just shout at those gawking at me: “What the heck are you lookin’ at?” *LOL* I’m in a weird mood….Thailand does that to me.
on 15 Mar 2006 at 6:31 pm3Sidney

It is a bit the same in the Philippines and probably the basic rules for the whole of Asia.
on 17 Mar 2006 at 11:05 pm4tracie b.

they have that palm down “come here” thing in italy too. the shouting though, why that’s practically required…
on 18 Mar 2006 at 7:33 am5Lillian

Tracy and Preya, I think the next country I live in has to be diffrent. Italy sounds refreshingly diffrent !! Shouting? YEA!!
on 18 Mar 2006 at 9:22 am6Joe

All your answers are really nice and the Thais should read all the good intensions you all have. But is it really so important to blend in. I see so many situations daily on Chiang Mai’s streets when Thais not even follow their own rules and regulation. And one big thing you should never forget even if you live with all the respect and attention to the thai culture you will always be only a Farang in Thailand.
on 05 Apr 2006 at 4:11 am7kind

I did a day trip in Kuala Lumpur, long stopover. I quickly read a booklet about Do’s and Don’ts and read that you are supposed to point at everything with your thumb only. What did my driver do to show me things, point with his index finger .. ah well ..