[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2873251]
I heard from upper-crust Thai friends living in Bangkok, that Thais are very class conscious.[/QUOTE]What, Thais class conscious? Hard to believe. They certainly don't seem that way up on the stage in the gogo bars, or the beer bars. But then I never venture outside of the Nana go-go's, except to take a tuk-tuk to Soi Cowboy. And Pattaya beer bars, all seem equal. (AKA tongue-in-cheek).
[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2873251]They have to dress carefully when going out, not mix with low-brow or average people, stay in expensive hotels, eat only at certain high-class, never cheap low-brow, restaurants, and God forbids, never partake in street food, in case others will see and disrespect them. They refused to go to a highly authentic Thai restaurant with me because it was deemed not high-class enough. Their high-class restaurants did not taste so good![/QUOTE]Yes indeed, along with the [I]high-so's[/I] (want to tease a friend? Call her a [I]high-so[/I]). But they can't be all that High-Class, given they're associating with you (that's the [B]2nd person PLURAL[/B] falang, not the FIRST person specific). But I DO know what you mean.
[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2873251]It seems Thais have lots of personal pride and care way too much about what others think of them, completely opposite of the American egalitarian society, where people in high position of power and wealth would dress down, mix and bullshit with anyone just for fun. It seems Thais are brought up in strict families and rigid social hierarchy, learned to be highly restrained, fearful of making mistakes and not forgiven forever. In America, children are encouraged to play, explore, risk, may be making mistakes, but are taught that acknowledging faults and sincere apologies would get their mistakes forgiven and forgotten.[/QUOTE]Actually, a big problem in Thai education, the non-questioning of teachers, not risking mistakes. I appreciate their sense of personal pride and how they're always decked out when out-and-about. One of the biggest complements you can give is tell her she smells nice. And all that growing up training is how they know how to wai.
[QUOTE=CaptainSolo;2873251]I found the average Thai people on the streets happy, honest, warm, friendly, polite, helpful, much more so than other Asian peoples in neighboring countries. Unlike their neighbors, Thai have not had any bloody civil war in the last 100 years. Quite remarkable.[/QUOTE]And never colonized (ceded land, but never occupied. Well, there was WWII). If you've never been and get the chance, visit Myanmar, Thai hospitality on steroids.
[QUOTE=ChrisCross123;2873305]Nonsense. Of course you can complain, you just do it extra nice and respectful. Also making sure you are complaining to the culprit only and nobody else is listening then there isn't even a risk for anybody to loose face.[/QUOTE]YOU can complain, but a Thai would not necessarily complain depending on the [I]status[/I] of the neighbor and if they were family. Spend some time in Thailand, associating with the people, and you'll see this time and time again. Standard response is "My pen Lai". Because the neighbor would be hearing you speak, and would lose face, which would risk causing resentment with your neighbor. TIT.
[QUOTE=Nyezhov;2873125]Thank god. Tissue box holders. My life is complete.[/QUOTE]You're welcome, certainly works for those of us who have friends (I know they are because they pick me up at the airport), and it's always nice to have something nice in hand, yet easy to pack and carry. Really too far for donuts, they can get those themselves, and that gelato just won't make the trip, let along customs.
