Cultural Differences

Almost 48 hours to the minute after it started, the rain finally stopped and the floods are already receding. The 2 days that I’ve been more or less confined to barracks has given me time for a bit of paperwork catching up plus some quiet time to reflect on this country and it’s people.

Everyone who has been to Thailand (and even some who haven’t) knows, or should know, that you don’t point your feet at anyone when seated, you don’t pat people on the head, you don’t blow your nose in public and if you want to avoid incarceration, you certainly don’t make any disparaging remarks about the monarchy etc etc. Apart from that, you could be forgiven for thinking that Thais, especially those who speak English, are really ‘just like us’. Wrong! The more Thais I meet – especially those who haven’t had  much exposure to westerners (farangs)- the more I am aware that there’s a huge difference between the Thai and western way of thinking  much of which revolves around money and status. For example:-

1. Loose change. It is quite common for a farang to want to get rid of his loose change when making a small purchase e.g. buying a newspaper, can of Coke or whatever. In Thailand, however, buying something with anything other than paper money is often seen as an indication that you are poor! And make sure that all the paper money you have in your wallet or purse has the monarch’s head at the top!
2. Financial planning. I’m not sure if this is a cultural difference or merely limited education but, apart from the Thais I have met in business, the vast majority are completely hopeless when it come to financial planning (and if I think about it, forward planning about anything!). A lot of this is down to a strong belief in Buddhism which, apart from being quite a fatalistic religion (i.e. whatever will be will be) teaches that you bring nothing into this world when you arrive and you leave with nothing. In short, if you’ve got a few bob, go out and spend it now, never mind what may be coming over the hill!
3. Buying a round. If you are out with a Thai who wants to ‘splash the cash’, just let him and whatever you do don’t insist that it’s ‘my round’. This could infer that he can’t afford to buy drinks all night if he wants to, thus suffering a total loss of face.
4. ‘Mate’s rates’. How many times have we used this phrase when negotiating a price for something with someone we know? Many Thais, though, think that suggesting a ‘mate’s rate’ deal is tantamount to an admission that you can’t afford the full price!
5. Bargaining. Similarly, although price bargaining is expected, if you bargain too much you could be seen to be too low class/poor to have enough money for the purchase.

All that and more. So it’s all much more complicated than might appear at first glance but as long as you keep smiling, you’ll be OK!

The oriental fruit Durian is often called the King of Fruits on account of its claimed aphrodisiac power. I have never put this claim to the test largely because it stinks. I mean really, really smells disgusting. In fact it is one of the very few products that is forbidden on planes and most hotels in this area have large ‘No Durian’ posters much in evidence. So I was amused to see that this pizza company has added the Durian to it’s menu!

Each one to their own, I suppose!

The biggest statue of Buddha in Thailand is a huge 92 metres high and the most valuable weighing a mighty 5.5 tons of pure gold. Elsewhere there is a multitude of big Buddhas, small Buddhas, fat Buddhas and (relatively) thin Buddhas. This fairly modest fellow sits at the bottom of the steps up to the temple at the top of Chopstick Hill – so called as it has absolutely no resemblance to chopsticks at all as far as I can tell!

The 128 steps to the top are fairly challenging – especially on a hot day but there is always something colourful to look at while you take a rest on the way up.

The temple at the top is hardly inspiring

but the view of Hua Hin  makes the slog worthwhile.

What I like so much about almost all  the temple areas I have visited (and that’s quite a few!) is that it never stops at just a temple and a few Buddha statues. There’s always something else to catch the eye. Here, there are statues that blend well into the environment – this one a reminder of how Buddha protects people from falling rocks and all manner of other things.

Unfortunately, though, even Buddha can’t protect people from the naughty monkeys. Despite many signs warning the public not to leave anything in easy reach of our furry cousins, some people never learn,with the inevitable consequences!

This one initially found (and devoured) some fruit and then, in search of further morsels, pulled some kind of blanket from under the motorcycle’s seat

which he then wasn’t too sure what to do with!

The look of total bewilderment on the face of the driver and his passenger on returning to his vehicle was a joy to behold!

A few kilometres south of Khao Takiab is Khao Tao lake, complete with mini temple, strategically placed in the middle so that nobody can get to it!! Is it just me?

And is it just me who wonders why a Thai taxi driver would wear an afro wig?

It’s a wonderful world!

Phileas