Massage and the foot thing

**Thinkingofachange** · 1st August 2012 10:23

Since feet are considered dirty or at least profane in Thai culture, are masseurs looked down upon for touching people's feet?

Likewise, is there some justification (it's medical/it's a ritual) for Thai head massage and the head touching thing?

**8ball** · 1st August 2012 10:31

Originally Posted by Thinkingofachange

Since feet are considered dirty or at least profane in Thai culture, are masseurs looked down upon for touching people's feet?

Nope

**3leggedkitty** · 1st August 2012 10:32

most of the shit one reads about thai cultural ways and taboos and shit are a load of bollocks. i don't think i met a thai who gave two hoots if your toes pointed somewhere or you touched someone's head or failed to wai the ronald mcdonald. foreigners aren't expected to know or care about all this minutae that most natives can't make head or tail of themselves and likely don't care about either.

mystique is in the dizzy head of the beholder.

**8ball** · 1st August 2012 10:33

Originally Posted by Thinkingofachange

justification (it's medical/it's a ritual) for Thai head massage

It's relaxin

**NokYai** · 1st August 2012 10:44

Originally Posted by Thinkingofachange

is there some justification (it's medical/it's a ritual) for Thai head massage and the head touching thing?

The following is an Indian head massage, but just watching it is quite therapeutic.

Originally Posted by 8ball

Carn see anyfink at all

That's odd. I can see it. But anyways, here's the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FbbWtArQAg

**8ball** · 1st August 2012 10:52

Carn see anyfink at all

**Thaitanium** · 1st August 2012 11:02

Originally Posted by 3leggedkitty

most of the shit one reads about thai cultural ways and taboos and shit are a load of bollocks. i don't think i met a thai who gave two hoots if your toes pointed somewhere or you touched someone's head or failed to wai the ronald mcdonald. foreigners aren't expected to know or care about all this minutae that most natives can't make head or tail of themselves and likely don't care about either.

mystique is in the dizzy head of the beholder.

Plus 1

That shit simply fills guide books and travel articles written by 'writers' who lack the motivation or imagination to be writers...

**Guy Mandude** · 1st August 2012 12:18

Originally Posted by Thinkingofachange

Likewise, is there some justification (it's medical/it's a ritual) for Thai head massage and the head touching thing?

Didn't you have at least one massage during your brief visit to Thailand?

---Update---

Originally Posted by NokYai

The following is an Indian head massage, but just watching it is quite therapeutic.

I kept thinking how difficult it would be to remove all that oil from the hair. Got any oil massage clips you could post?

**Beavis** · 1st August 2012 13:14

I had a student in class today who was continually pointing his foot at me to make sure I was aware of the large hole that was developing in his sock. Seems he is completely unaware of the feet pointing taboo. Granted, he's not the brightest tool in the shed.

**fred flintstone** · 1st August 2012 13:25

Originally Posted by Beavis

I had a student in class today who was continually pointing his foot at me to make sure I was aware of the large hole that was developing in his sock.

i had a kid stop class the other day ..
He was frantically waving me to his seat. i thought he was hurt or something. I stopped the class went over to him to see what the trouble was.
When i got there he pointed to his friends shoe and said 'teacher ,look, shoe no good'

Funny as shit at the time.

**Fleabag** · 1st August 2012 13:26

Originally Posted by Beavis

I had a student in class today who was continually pointing his foot at me to make sure I was aware of the large hole that was developing in his sock. Seems he is completely unaware of the feet pointing taboo. Granted, he's not the brightest tool in the shed.

Nah, he was just openly disrespecting you

**Beavis** · 1st August 2012 13:32

^They all do that anyway.

**Guy Mandude** · 1st August 2012 13:40

Anyone ever had a student throw a shoe or slipper at him?

**NokYai** · 1st August 2012 14:14

Originally Posted by Guy Mandude

Anyone ever had a student throw a shoe or slipper at him?

I think they could get jail time for that.

**po3try** · 1st August 2012 17:48

Originally Posted by 3leggedkitty

most of the shit one reads about thai cultural ways and taboos and shit are a load of bollocks. i don't think i met a thai who gave two hoots if your toes pointed somewhere or you touched someone's head or failed to wai the ronald mcdonald. foreigners aren't expected to know or care about all this minutae that most natives can't make head or tail of themselves and likely don't care about either.

the first time I turned off the fan with my feet as my wife and I were walking out the door. Her reaction makes me think people still care.. although she does it now..

..she still freaks out if my socks are on the table though