Thai Smiles Revealed

**djchemi** · 12th September 2006 23:59

Thailand is the land of smiles. Really? Why do people smile so much? Does everyone really smile?

If you are married and you live with your gf's family do they smile at you all the time? I doubt very often. On the streets, do Thais smile at each other all the time, sometimes they do sometimes, they don't. So what is this, Thais are just like everyone, They only smile sometimes so why is Thailand called the land of smiles?

When asked most of the tourists will say that the number one thing they love about Thailand is that Thai people are so nice and they always smile. This is true, they do smile for tourists. Why?

1. They're shy about speaking English so they just smile.
2. Tourists = money = smile happily and welcomingly (farangs are rich stereotype).
3. SOME people are naturally friendly.

I have lived in both Thailand and America and I can honestly say Thailand is not the land of smiles(I get the same amount of smiling and friendliness in America), that whole concept is too postive and unrealistic. You may notice that Thais will cut you to get into the bus first, will not stop when you want to cross the street, etc. It really is just like any other countries in the world where the people are just .... normal.

**jonny danger** · 13th September 2006 00:25

Some Thais have really got the smile thing down though. Just as in the hoods of East LA with the half-stepin moves and the fast caps and proper colours, Thais have picked up on the smile and mastered it. What else would you expect from a culture of superficiality. Thailand is, in fact, very much like East LA; a lot of people with nothin who want to show you they're somethin.

**jimbo** · 13th September 2006 04:55

Originally Posted by djchemi

If you lived with your gf's family did they smile at you all the time?

Yes, they did, and no they never asked me for money.

**Gipkik** · 13th September 2006 07:33

You need to go to some rural areas where Thais haven't become used to or jaded by the sight of foreigners. The smiles are genuine and charming. You need to remember that the nickname LOS came to be in consequence of how Thais responded to the FIRST foreigner tourists. Why hold them hostage to this image? Yes, they are humans just like the rest of us. That said, Thais, on average, do smile more often than westerners, but not because they are happy or trying to rip you off, but because the smile signifies a lot of different emotions in asia. Many Thai women will smile when they are angry, sad, puzzled, embarrassed, trying to hide their feelings, feeling sorrow, feeling comfort...so many contexts. If analyzed, the smile might even show slight differences, i.e., showing teeth, open mouthed, tight-lipped, etc.

The OP shows a clear lack of cultural understanding here and it contributes to why Thais smile less often when they see or meet a foreigner. Why would any intelligent person smile at someone who looks miserable or has a cynical or judemental look? The first foreigner tourists who arrived on these sweltering shores were filled with amazement and felt utter charm for the people and the culture. That's something to smile about.

**MeMock** · 13th September 2006 07:47

What a great response. Spot on.

**i1der** · 13th September 2006 07:59

Smile people

**jimbo** · 13th September 2006 08:29

ok

**dongintheklong** · 13th September 2006 08:55

Some folks reckon there are around 12 different types of smiles all with their own meaning.

What does your smile mean?

**mig** · 13th September 2006 08:56

The mindset of smiling through and not taking things too seriously persists with most Thais today. How often do Thai people say something like “You think too much!” ie. Don’t worry about it. And “My pen rai.” – never mind.

It’s a way of coping.

**Chang** · 13th September 2006 09:05

Perhaps it's just that Prozac is cheaper here.

Then there's the Richard III quote from the 1995 movie...

"I can smile, and murder while I smile"

**aging one** · 13th September 2006 09:23

My maid who has been with me almost 9 years is from Yasothon. She smiles and laughs each and everyday. This one aspect of her has made her a full family member well respected by myself the wife and kids. She is one class act.

**mig** · 13th September 2006 09:31

Especially amazing as AO only pays her 300 baht a week.

**Unwell** · 13th September 2006 09:49

don't really get this thread.

of course thai people do not spend 24 hours a day with a full-on madman beam across their face. that would be pretty fucking odd eh...

thais do smile a fair bit tho, definitely more than brits which isn't hard.

Originally Posted by djchemi

It really is just like any other countries in the world where the people are just .... normal.

er yes, thailand is. a country full of normal people, like the states, the u.k., belgium or ghana. we're all the same...

**Nickyboy** · 13th September 2006 10:18

Belgium? Ever seen Eurotrash Unners? They're a fucking deviant bunch mate!!!

Dressing up as penguins, wearing nappies etc etc.

**Covertjay** · 13th September 2006 11:34

Originally Posted by djchemi

You may notice that Thais will cut you to get into the bus first, will not stop when you want to cross the street, etc. It really is just like any other countries in the world where the people are just .... normal.

Cutting in the line and zooming past road crossings (cross walk for you seppos) is not normal.

It's fucked.