Charissa Enget, Blogger. Engineer. Living in rural Thailand.
They are super giving and helpful. When I moved here, the Thai people I met helped me set up my phone plan, get an apartment, and even got a scooter for me. If I didn’t know how to get somewhere, they’d escort me on trips that lasted 3 hours sometimes. Whatever I asked for they would always try to help me with.
They are very kind to foreigners. I’ve lived in several countries that didn’t like foreigners. Their taxi drivers would purposely drop me off in the wrong place, walk away if I tried to speak to them, laugh at me if I spoke their language, etc. Here, they will always try to help me even if they don’t speak English and I can’t speak Thai. Van and taxi drivers have always gotten me to the right place, even if I barely knew where I was going. And when I speak their language they are always encouraging and tell me I speak so well, even if it’s just one sentence.
They’re super weight conscious. I don’t consider myself fat, but I’ve been called fat many times by Thai people. Masseuses, random women, even my professors have talked badly about my weight. I know a lot of Thai girls who skip dinner because they’re terrified of gaining weight. Random old Thai ladies have made fun of me in public for my size. (This is what I look like, for reference)
Also, as soon as I lose a tiny bit of weight, Thai women notice. Women in shops I’ve never spoken to in my life will tell me I look thinner. It’s a little eerie knowing everyone is judging your size whenever they look at you.
They looooove taking pictures. Everywhere I go, in every restaurant, Thai girls and guys are having a photoshoot. Most of my Thai friends on Facebook post selfies at least every other day.
Everyone seems frustrated with the government and corruption. Every Thai person I’ve known has spoken about their limitations because of the government. They say that older people hold all the power and they abuse it. They want a better life and future but feel hopeless in attaining it.
They’re tiny! I’m 5′11″ and I feel like a giant everywhere I go. I rarely meet a girl taller than 5′2″. 5′11″ was tall in the United States, but generally the majority of men were taller than me. Here it is not so. (A nice comparison of the general size difference everywhere I go)
Social hierarchy is very important. Nobody argues with elders. Nobody steps out of line. Thai students don’t like to ask questions to teachers. They take criticism and do not argue.
Children do whatever their parents say well into their 20’s or 30’s. Especially the girls, I’ve met a couple who hate their jobs but do it because their father tells them to, even though they’re already married and moved out! All the Thai people say that because I’m 23, I’m still a child, and I shouldn’t be so far away from my parents in Thailand. They ask how my parents in America allowed me to move here. I tell them I’m an adult and I didn’t ask them permission to move here.
They think all Westerner’s are rich. This leads to two things. One, they’re always trying to charge us much higher prices. Two, their girls want to marry white men or scam the men into giving them money.
Super relaxed and stress free. Generally I like this mentality, but it’s often very unproductive. Everyone shows up late to everything. They often cancel meetings without warning. I get very frustrated that we never get any work done.
Strangely progressive yet conservative at the same time. Ladyboys are very accepted into society. Gay men and lesbians are seen as very normal. Yet wearing a tank top or showing any cleavage is seen as obscene. A young woman is expected to do as her parents say. Children cannot question adults.
Sometimes a bit racist. This seems to be mostly with the older generation, the younger generation is changing. Everyone wants white skin, if a Thai man is darker, they call him “black”. A guy I met told me he dated a Thai girl for 9 years, but when her parents saw him, they wouldn’t even meet with him because of his skin color, and she was forced to break up with him. He lamented that they wouldn’t even talk to him first.
I personally think Thai people are very cute. They’re always smiling and seem to be in a good mood. They’re quite funny although they don’t usually understand sarcasm. They’re friendly and happy people.
As for the country, it’s beautiful. It’s very hot, but it has a rich culture and an amazing history. There are endless amounts of things to see. Beautiful beaches, museums, modern cities, temples, and historical monuments.
I love Thailand and their people a lot.
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