Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
sit with your feet up pointing toward someone, especially someone's face
or head, is considered unspeakably rude. Therefore, if you are riding in
a train in Thailand and put your feet up to get more comfortable, you are
not only running the risk of being considered an uncultured slob but may
actually find yourself in a physical confrontation with a Thai national who
thinks you just mortally insulted him. This type of behavior certainly won't
make you friends and might even provoke someone to assault you. A dear
friend of ours, a wonderful Thai woman named Wongchan Wongching-
chai, lives in the suburbs of Washington, D.C. One day, while on the Wash-
ington Metro system, she sat across from a young man who was leaning
back in his seat and had his feet propped up against the pole used by
standing commuters to keep upright while the train is in motion and no
seats are available. She was very distressed by the actions of this man, who
probably had no idea that someone was viewing his behavior as being so
offensive. If he had put his feet up on a train in Bangkok, he may very
well have been assaulted. Know where you are going and get at least a
passing familiarity with local manners and etiquette.
The Thai people are overwhelmingly Buddhist. Some of the most
exquisite artwork in the world can be found in the religious structures and
statues of Thailand. However, if you are visiting some of the beautiful Wat
Thai or Thai Buddhist temples and you decide to have a picture taken as
you sit atop a statue of Buddha, it is very likely that you will be arrested.
The police don't want to hear any excuses about not knowing the local
laws. You sit on the wrong statue, you are going to jail. It is only common
sense to learn as much as you can about the local laws and customs before
you go. Along the same lines, learn a bit about the social mores and cus-
toms of the country you are traveling to.
NOTES
1.
U.S. Department of State, Office of the Spokesman, Worldwide Caution,
November 20, 2002.
2.
A consular warden system is an embassy's method of maintaining communi-
cations with the local American community. A consular warden notice con-
tains information about safety risks as well as more benign subject matter.
Information may be circulated by local wardens via phone, fax, or e-mail.
