SweetieBabie Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 "WAI" - äËÇé - (why) ..... Okay i must admit, i occasionally felt strange when i tried Wai-ing to farangs. I have always been taught by family to be Ã×ÃÃèù that i must Wai to the the seniors and the elderly as greetings and for being thankful. Different Asian countries has their own style of Wai, Thais certainly has a unique style different practices for different people, to Buddha, to elderly, to friends....., I think it's a beautiful gesture but.... If you are westerners, do you "wai" Thai people? If you are Thais, have you ever "wai" farangs? So what's your takes on this? IF you don't know what Wai is http://www.thaiwaysmagazine.com/thai_article/2110_wai/wai.html http://forestwisdom.blogspot.com/2008/02/why-wai.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yamahacrasher Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 "WAI" - äËÇé - (why) .....If you are westerners, do you "wai" Thai people? I always do, and i love doing it well. I want to give a good first impression when meeting Thai ppl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grezzzy_greer Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 After a very short time in Thailand I learned that I must wai and I was told who and why to wai...and now after 16 years here, it comes as second nature...so much so that I sometimes forget when overseas and start to wai when meeting other farang...I usually catch it in time before I do...usually, but not always... My kids are Thai of course, and I noticed that they had got out of the habit while they were in school in Australia for the last couple of years - so now that they are home in BKK again, I had to remind them that they are Thai and that they have to remember to do this. The biggest mistake made by many farang is that they don't know who to wai and when they should not, or when they have to wait till the other person does it first, and not to wai to shop assistants and things like that (unless they are personal friends of course). The "when and how" including the "depth" of the wai is a constant source of confusion to most visitors to the country...but there are some basic and fairly straightforward common sense rules, and if you can master them, then you are well on the way to getting it right most of the time... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English_Bob Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 I rarely wai Thai people. The wai is such a beautiful and subtle greeting, it's very difficult for westerners to do it correctly. It's much more common to see farangs making a hash of it, using it incorrectly and inappropriately eg for youngsters or bar girls. When I first arrived here I tried as hard as I could to be polite. When staff outside McDonalds and Pizza Hut waied me, I always returned the gesture... and looked like a plonker. I also read it is polite to lower your head while passing people - so for the first few weeks I walked the streets of Bangkok, bobbing my head and walking like a pigeon. I make exceptions for interviews and meeting government/police officials. It's clear here that I am 'lower' on the social scale and need something from them - I still find it difficult to accept the idea of superior and inferior people. In fact, I guess when I wai a government official looking for a handout, I am faking it, because inside I know they are corrupt and inefficient. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grezzzy_greer Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 I understand what Bob is saying, but maybe it's just that I am so used to it by now... As for lowering my head as I walk past people, it is really truly ingrained now, and even in the west I always lower my head as I walk past people - I simply cannot help it any more - it is a must, and it happens automatically. If I try NOT to do it, I feel that I have made some sort of insulting or rude behaviour toward the person concerned. OK, maybe its a bit odd for a farang to feel this way, but I really cant help it, and it is so entrenched that it is part of me now. I just realised - sometimes, if the Thai person is a friend who is also quite westernised, I will wai them first, then also shake hands...but only with close friends who have a western aspect to their nature...so maybe it's a subconcious affirmation that I recognise the dual nature of their background or upbringing - but again it is pretty well automatic, and not something I plan or think about first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeeMarc Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 i dont Wai very much.. and as EB, i do Wai to senior goverment or official people who are clearly in a high position...or a policeman if i want something. I also use the Wai in temples and to monks there when the wai me. Because i am usually more senior than many, i simply bow my head and smile to most who wai me (shop staff etc). I wai to my landlady (she is my age) and her siblings. My clients wai to me, and i will usaully wai back as mutual respect in meetings etc. But perhaps the most beautiful of all are the kids in my soi (3 are my maids kids). They always wai to me...and often, when i get out of the taxi getting home, i get about 10 little kids stop their playing and all wai to me together "sawasdee khun/lung Marc" and then they giggle. That makes me so happy and warm inside and i feel like giving them all a big hug. But i bow my head just a little, smile and Sawasdee to them. The wai, when it is truly sincere and innocent, is definately one of the wonderful things in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeeMarc Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 ...what makes me cringe the most though is seeing farang walk into a bar and wai to all the girls. Especially the ones who live here and should know better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grezzzy_greer Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 ...what makes me cringe the most though is seeing farang walk into a bar and wai to all the girls. Especially the ones who live here and should know better. Yes - my point exactly - they should know who to wai to and when - but many either don't know or don't care. If I go to a shop owned or operated by friends and they wai me, then of course I wai back - not because a shopkeeper has wai'd me, but because a friend has... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiaranM Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 ...what makes me cringe the most though is seeing farang walk into a bar and wai to all the girls. Especially the ones who live here and should know better. hmmmm .... well if u r talking about girlie bars fair enough, but i fairly regularly drink in a bar/restaurant on thong lor and when the staff wai me (as they always do) i will always return the wai !!! i also notice that virtually ALL the thai ppl in the bar/restaurant will return the staffs wai .... or at least nod their head in acknowledgement !! personally i don't think we should get too hung up on the right or wrong way to wai ... IMO and personal experience thais tend to appreciate farangs making the effort to return a wai and make allowances for our lack of skill or "correctness" !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sathorn Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 ...what makes me cringe the most though is seeing farang walk into a bar and wai to all the girls. Especially the ones who live here and should know better. Yes - my point exactly - they should know who to wai to and when - but many either don't know or don't care. If I go to a shop owned or operated by friends and they wai me, then of course I wai back - not because a shopkeeper has wai'd me, but because a friend has... I have only lived here for a few years. But I wai the bar girls every day, before making a selection. I also wai the tuk tuk drivers to show I am not angry with them about taking too much of my money. When I go to the supermarket, I have to put my groceries down to wai everyone I go past and it is such a nuisance, but all of the people smile and talk behind their hands so I am sure they like me. I guess the really difficult part is getting past those really old beggars on the street. I am 6' 6" and rather overweight and I have found I really have to crawl past with my head down to get it lower than them. The street is so dirty when you get down close and I know my arse is sticking up, but I am proud that I am so good at Thai culture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeeMarc Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 ...what makes me cringe the most though is seeing farang walk into a bar and wai to all the girls. Especially the ones who live here and should know better. hmmmm .... well if u r talking about girlie bars fair enough, but i fairly regularly drink in a bar/restaurant on thong lor and when the staff wai me (as they always do) i will always return the wai !!! i also notice that virtually ALL the thai ppl in the bar/restaurant will return the staffs wai .... or at least nod their head in acknowledgement !! personally i don't think we should get too hung up on the right or wrong way to wai ... IMO and personal experience thais tend to appreciate farangs making the effort to return a wai and make allowances for our lack of skill or "correctness" !!! was talking about girlie bars mate. But yes, if the owner or manager of a (normal) bar/restuarant wais to me in greeting, i would usually return that. But for lower staff i would just bow my head a little and smile to them. Many of my Thai friends will give a wai greeting when meeting in a bar/restuarant, and if they do, i will return it the same. Many dont. But...i will only do it if they do first. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeeMarc Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 ...what makes me cringe the most though is seeing farang walk into a bar and wai to all the girls. Especially the ones who live here and should know better. Yes - my point exactly - they should know who to wai to and when - but many either don't know or don't care. If I go to a shop owned or operated by friends and they wai me, then of course I wai back - not because a shopkeeper has wai'd me, but because a friend has... I have only lived here for a few years. But I wai the bar girls every day, before making a selection. I also wai the tuk tuk drivers to show I am not angry with them about taking too much of my money. When I go to the supermarket, I have to put my groceries down to wai everyone I go past and it is such a nuisance, but all of the people smile and talk behind their hands so I am sure they like me. I guess the really difficult part is getting past those really old beggars on the street. I am 6' 6" and rather overweight and I have found I really have to crawl past with my head down to get it lower than them. The street is so dirty when you get down close and I know my arse is sticking up, but I am proud that I am so good at Thai culture. haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ConcreteAngel Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Wai, like many other gestures e.g. no loud or bang when talking or shutting doors, reflects your overall etiquette that is perceived to link to your family background and stand in the society. Thais are rooted from the hierarchical order of society; our wai thus has different height levels. To wai beautifully, it takes time to practice (and many details that i do not even remember!). Not sure if a proper wai is at all significant in today modern lifestyle. But since i was put in the Queen school, hope that I can be little helpful here. We wai when we want to (1) pray, (2) greet, (3) thank you, (4) apologize, and (5) denote a receiving / wai back. Wai Monk = Thumbs between eyebrows. Index fingers touch forehead. Wai Parent = Thumbs touch nose (parents are your breath of life). Index fingers between eyebrows. Wai Teacher / Master = Thumbs touch lip (teacher words of mouth make you a better person). Index fingers touch nose. Wai Senior Person than You = Thumbs touch chin. Index fingers touch lip. Wai Same Age / Younger Person than You / or Wai Back = Thumbs touch between breast. Index fingers touch chin. Note, bend your head down slightly a bit to cater the reaching of your index fingers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeeMarc Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Wai, like many other gestures e.g. no loud or bang when talking or shutting doors, reflects your overall etiquette that is perceived to link to your family background and stand in the society.Thais are rooted from the hierarchical order of society; our wai thus has different height levels. To wai beautifully, it takes time to practice (and many details that i do not even remember!). Not sure if a proper wai is at all significant in today modern lifestyle. But since i was put in the Queen school, hope that I can be little helpful here. We wai when we want to (1) pray, (2) greet, (3) thank you, (4) apologize, and (5) denote a receiving / wai back. Wai Monk = Thumbs between eyebrows. Index fingers touch forehead. Wai Parent = Thumbs touch nose (parents are your breath of life). Index fingers between eyebrows. Wai Teacher / Master = Thumbs touch lip (teacher words of mouth make you a better person). Index fingers touch nose. Wai Senior Person than You = Thumbs touch chin. Index fingers touch lip. Wai Same Age / Younger Person than You / or Wai Back = Thumbs touch between breast. Index fingers touch chin. Note, bend your head down slightly a bit to cater the reaching of your index fingers. a great description and i am sure very helpful to many. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sathorn Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Wai, like many other gestures e.g. no loud or bang when talking or shutting doors, reflects your overall etiquette that is perceived to link to your family background and stand in the society.Thais are rooted from the hierarchical order of society; our wai thus has different height levels. To wai beautifully, it takes time to practice (and many details that i do not even remember!). Not sure if a proper wai is at all significant in today modern lifestyle. But since i was put in the Queen school, hope that I can be little helpful here. We wai when we want to (1) pray, (2) greet, (3) thank you, (4) apologize, and (5) denote a receiving / wai back. Wai Monk = Thumbs between eyebrows. Index fingers touch forehead. Wai Parent = Thumbs touch nose (parents are your breath of life). Index fingers between eyebrows. Wai Teacher / Master = Thumbs touch lip (teacher words of mouth make you a better person). Index fingers touch nose. Wai Senior Person than You = Thumbs touch chin. Index fingers touch lip. Wai Same Age / Younger Person than You / or Wai Back = Thumbs touch between breast. Index fingers touch chin. Note, bend your head down slightly a bit to cater the reaching of your index fingers. a great description and i am sure very helpful to many. Yes, and great first post!! Welcome to TF and prepare to be ridiculed for writing intelligently and on topic. :? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_qq Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Wai, like many other gestures e.g. no loud or bang when talking or shutting doors, reflects your overall etiquette that is perceived to link to your family background and stand in the society.Thais are rooted from the hierarchical order of society; our wai thus has different height levels. To wai beautifully, it takes time to practice (and many details that i do not even remember!). Not sure if a proper wai is at all significant in today modern lifestyle. But since i was put in the Queen school, hope that I can be little helpful here. We wai when we want to (1) pray, (2) greet, (3) thank you, (4) apologize, and (5) denote a receiving / wai back. Wai Monk = Thumbs between eyebrows. Index fingers touch forehead. Wai Parent = Thumbs touch nose (parents are your breath of life). Index fingers between eyebrows. Wai Teacher / Master = Thumbs touch lip (teacher words of mouth make you a better person). Index fingers touch nose. Wai Senior Person than You = Thumbs touch chin. Index fingers touch lip. Wai Same Age / Younger Person than You / or Wai Back = Thumbs touch between breast. Index fingers touch chin. Note, bend your head down slightly a bit to cater the reaching of your index fingers. a great description and i am sure very helpful to many. Yes, and great first post!! Welcome to TF and prepare to be ridiculed for writing intelligently and on topic. :? well they don't learn nothing in the queen's school any news about how you wai the leader of the next coup d'etat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckyphil247 Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Wai, like many other gestures e.g. no loud or bang when talking or shutting doors, reflects your overall etiquette that is perceived to link to your family background and stand in the society.Thais are rooted from the hierarchical order of society; our wai thus has different height levels. To wai beautifully, it takes time to practice (and many details that i do not even remember!). Not sure if a proper wai is at all significant in today modern lifestyle. But since i was put in the Queen school, hope that I can be little helpful here. We wai when we want to (1) pray, (2) greet, (3) thank you, (4) apologize, and (5) denote a receiving / wai back. Wai Monk = Thumbs between eyebrows. Index fingers touch forehead. Wai Parent = Thumbs touch nose (parents are your breath of life). Index fingers between eyebrows. Wai Teacher / Master = Thumbs touch lip (teacher words of mouth make you a better person). Index fingers touch nose. Wai Senior Person than You = Thumbs touch chin. Index fingers touch lip. Wai Same Age / Younger Person than You / or Wai Back = Thumbs touch between breast. Index fingers touch chin. Note, bend your head down slightly a bit to cater the reaching of your index fingers. a great description and i am sure very helpful to many. Yes, and great first post!! Welcome to TF and prepare to be ridiculed for writing intelligently and on topic. :? well they don't learn nothing in the queen's school any news about how you wai the leader of the next coup d'etat? Down on the floor on all fours, pants dropped down till the knees and NO lubricant Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eagle Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 I'm just glad I found TF so when I end up in Thailand i have a clue how to act. I'm sure Thais are used to farrangs miss using the wai greeting and get a chuckle from time to time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babyoiy Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 "WAI" - äËÇé - (why) .....If you are Thais, have you ever "wai" farangs? When I was in CH, I did both "check-hand" and "wai" (plus said "sawasdee ka" too) to my uncle family as they mostly gave me their hand first so I just did both. But with others, I didnt do "wai" unless I knew that they knew this Thai culture. But with Non-Thai TFers, seems they do "wai" first tho' they are older.. oh... my uncle as well.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CIA_Andie Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 yes, i do "wai" farang.....especially my pastor and his wife, they are americans. and if i meet other missionary (from other country), i never "wai" them first but if they "wai" me so i'll "wai" them in return Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stramash Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Wai not???? :oops: One thing I always got confused over (and hope someone clears up) If a Thai wais you with the 'lowest' form of wai (index fingers middle of chest) does that mean they regard you as lower in position than you?? :? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_qq Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Wai not???? :oops: One thing I always got confused over (and hope someone clears up) If a Thai wais you with the 'lowest' form of wai (index fingers middle of chest) does that mean they regard you as lower in position than you?? :? i think as a farang you're never really classified as 'lower' just as a 'special case' from which nothing or anything can be expected as long as they don't know you personally if anyone wais you it means they don't think you're inferior because if they did think so they would be waiting for you to wai them first of course from a farang they wouldn't know how long that might take in any case the "lowest" form is still polite enough between equals or otherwise undetermined cases Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stramash Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Wai not???? :oops: One thing I always got confused over (and hope someone clears up) If a Thai wais you with the 'lowest' form of wai (index fingers middle of chest) does that mean they regard you as lower in position than you?? :? Example Iain, If I give extra money to my maid. She will wai me with master style wai (or at least she should) then I will * acknowledge* her wai by index fingers touch chin or the lowest form of wai, as you call it. The same as, when I wai my father, he will * acknowledge * my wai the same way as I wai my maid. It?s more like showing appreciation or thanks for the wai. Thanks p'Nicky and John. Always confused me on Samui. Plus the Ronald McScumbag figures always seemd to show that 'low' wai, and I took it as being patronising to Thais (but then, any excuse to put down McScumbags) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stramash Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 Wai not???? :oops: One thing I always got confused over (and hope someone clears up) If a Thai wais you with the 'lowest' form of wai (index fingers middle of chest) does that mean they regard you as lower in position than you?? :? Example Iain, If I give extra money to my maid. She will wai me with master style wai (or at least she should) then I will * acknowledge* her wai by index fingers touch chin or the lowest form of wai, as you call it. The same as, when I wai my father, he will * acknowledge * my wai the same way as I wai my maid. It?s more like showing appreciation or thanks for the wai. Thanks p'Nicky and John. Always confused me on Samui. Plus the Ronald McScumbag figures always seemd to show that 'low' wai, and I took it as being patronising to Thais (but then, any excuse to put down McScumbags) Never mind that Ronald McScumbag. Many Thai don't do the wai thing right, Iain. The same way as many farangs say "Hi, What's Up? instead of "How do you do?" or "How are you?" what hope do we farangs have if the bloody Thais can't get it right!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stramash Posted February 15, 2009 Report Share Posted February 15, 2009 if you want to get it right, read this Iainhttp://www.kanchanapisek.or.th/kp8/mthai/4_t.html thank you p'Nicky - will bookmark!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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