Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Greetings
The traditional Thai greeting is with a prayer-like palms-together gesture known as
a
wâi
. If someone shows you a
wâi
, you should return the gesture, unless the greet-
ing comes from a child or a service person. A
wâi
can also express gratitude or an
apology. Foreigners are continually baffled by when and how to use the
wâi
and
such cultural confusion makes great conversation fodder: Thais are usually de-
lighted to have the opportunity to explain.
The all-purpose greeting is a cheery '
sà·wàt·dee kráp
' if you're male or
'
sà·wàt·dee kâ
' if you're female. A smile usually accompanies this and goes a long
way to diffuse any nervousness or shyness that a Thai might have when interacting
with a foreigner. Also, Thais are great connoisseurs of beauty and a smile improves
one's countenance.
Dos & Don'ts
•
» Stand for the royal and national anthems.
•
» Don't show anger or frustration.
•
» Remove shoes before entering homes or temples; step over the threshold.
•
» Keep your feet off furniture.
•
» In temples, sit in the mermaid position (with your feet tucked behind you).
•
» If invited to someone's house, bring a gift of fruit or drinks.
•
» Pass and receive things with your right hand.
•
» Use your spoon like a fork and fork like a knife.
Visiting Temples
When visiting a temple, it is very important to dress modestly (covered to the el-
bows and the ankles) and to take your shoes off when you enter any building that
contains a Buddha image. Buddha images are sacred objects, so don't pose in front
of them for pictures and definitely do not clamber on them. When visiting a religious
building, act like a worshipper by finding a discreet place to sit in the 'mermaid' pos-
