Do you know of any Thai taboos?

Question

My sister-in-law is from Thailand. Last year, our mother-in-law gave her perfume as a Christmas present, and she said that it was not something that's usually given.

Do you know of any other taboos? I would not like to commit a faux pas.

Answer 1

Lots of good info above!

The thing with perfume is not really a taboo. It's superstition that if you're in a relationship that when you give perfume it's back luck if the recipient doesn't pay for it- otherwise the relationship could end! This can be a token payment, one baht (or cent) for example.

Don't talk about someone getting involved in an accident or getting sick or it may come true. This superstition is why a lot of people avoid getting insurance.

A fun one is whoever eats the last piece of food on a common plate of food will get a handsome boyfriend or girlfriend. This sometimes involved burying the last morsel under some garnish so it's hidden from others. Then grab it and announce you have the last one- ha!

Another belief is saying the name of one of the many Thai ghosts (like 'nang naak') will make it appear.

None of them, perfume included, is very serious. Though Thais in general can be quite superstitious and will follow these and other rules just in case.

Answer 2

I think regarding the perfume,maybe she is being very sensitive and thinks that your mother-in-law thinks she stinks or something. It's like giving your wife a slimming belt. You can be sure she'll be thinking away at your implications.

Thais are sensitive souls.

Just be careful about their heads as that is the most sacred part of a person, so don't hit it or rub it. The feet is the lowliest part so don't use your feet to point, kick another person, or use it for any other function besides what it is meant to.

Their King and the Royal Family is highly regarded so show your respect. He is a very talented and kind man who has done a lot of good for his country.

Be polite and show that you are willing to learn about their culture. Smile a lot. Thais believe that smiling can win over any situation. No Thai can resist a foreigner who is so keen on their culture, that even your biggest faux pas will be forgiven. Except the two points above. You can be thrown in prison for insulting their King.

Answer 3

There are some very good advice already given. Thai people do admire those who put in the effort of respecting Thai customs.

The biggest thing over in Thailand is NOT to touch someone's head and NOT to point with your foot. The most important point ot remember is NEVER to say anything bad or criticise the king or the royal family - EVER!!!

However, don't get paranoid about knowing everything. Thai people are also very tolerant of foreigners when they genuinely don't know what to do. Remember that there are millions of tourists there and Thai people are accustomed to "ignorant" tourists. Use your common sense and show respect. When something bad happens, people will laugh BUT they are not laughing at you, but it is more for "not losing face" - so keep calm and smile a lot.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

I am Australian who lives in Thailand and I've been married to a Thai lady now and I've been close to my Thai family for over 23 years.

There is some very good advice already given on this question and I'm very impressed by the level and depth of understanding shown by the responders.

There are no real social taboos that I know of regarding the giving of presents. I give presents all the time to various members of my family on different occasions. The main criteria I suppose that I follow is to give an appropriate present and I use a common sense approach, eg toys for kids and jewelry or flowers etc to ladies, generally the same criteria that you use at home to buy presents.

I suppose that perfume is regarded in Thailand as for personal grooming and could on rare occasions be taken by the receiver as having a hidden meaning, but in my experience generally the receiver will receive it in the normal manner with no thought of a meaning in the gift, such as "Oh he thinks I smell" or some such. It would be a matter of personal pride in that case I suppose and in 23 years I've never seen that response. That said I have never been involved in high society where that attitude may be the norm. I do know that there are definitely strict rules of ettiqette in high society in Thailand that are not present on the everyday level. For example if I was to visit my neighbour I would lean over the fence...wai and greet him...LOL then he'd offer me a coffee...he makes great coffee....However this would be considered bad manners in high society where I would be required to cough politely in earshot wait head bowed slightly hands clasped in front and "wait" to be "seen" by my host....luckily for me and for most foreigners we don't travel in these exclusive circles and are happily oblivious of these most formal of requirements....that said I have an Uncle and Aunt who refuse to be involved in this part of their own society even though they are members of it he and my Aunt would be considered very wealthy in western society but are luckily for me really informal and far from atypical socialites. So again it depends on the person.

I have been involved in a funeral rite for my deceased Thai Grandma, I talk now to elaborate on how wonderfully accepting Thais are, especially regarding my wonderful family. Of course as a foreigner I had no idea what to do during the 5 days of the ceremony, that said my family guided me the whole way and I do mean the whole way...I was a full participant right up to the end when I had to hand out parting gifts with my family as well to the other guests. My presence alone caused a "stir" among the more highly placed individuals there and I was quite resented by them. My family soon sorted that out for my benefit, those folks were then regarded as having committed the faux pas and were most apologetic to me...it embarrassed me but shows the extent family is held in high regard and the fact that Thais too can cause their own faux pas.

I hope I haven't confused you and I hope my personal anecdotes help in some way.

Answer 5

Other than monarchy and religious agendas, what I have learned from my Thai friends are:
1.do not wear anything dirty, wear clean shirt, pants, shocks, and shoes
2.do not be smelly, take showers and get rid of sweaty smell
3.do not lose temper, always be polite
Dirty clothes, smelly body, or rough attitude are the offense in Thai society. But aren't they just a matter of common sense, therefore, do not be too nervous about faux pas. When in doubt, ask them and they will be pleased to tell you with smiles, I am sure.

Answer 6

Never ever criticize a Thai ( dress, manners, language, etc.) in front of other people. In fact, don't even try to do it one on one. Any criticism is viewed as an attack.

Never ever lose your temper and raise your voice when there are any Thais in a room. Any foreign language that they don't understand is heard as malicious words pertaining to them and will take it personally even if it's not pertaining to them.

Please don't think that dealing with Thais is like walking on eggshell. The key is to keep your top cool. We Thais are happy people and we'd like people around us happy too.

Answer 7

Thai regard their head as something high and don't like people to touch them, if you have necessity to do it due to safety, healh care or etc., then you should ask for permission or apologize them for doing so. For instance, the nurse may raise her patient's head to the pillow and may say something like "Kho Thod na ka" prior to do it.

Pointing feet to people is also considered offensive and should not do so.

Female also have to give way to Buddhist monk as Deravadhi (spelling?) buddhist prohibit the physical contact between monk and female. Whatelse? Avoid standing over senior people's head.

Avoid talking while chewing or having something in your mouth. Don't spit on the floor. Cover your mouth with hand when yawn.

Some of them are just manner in public and there're still lot more but I can't recall at the moment.

Answer 8

Do & Taboo in Thailand

Getting Along in Thailand
Thailand is justly celebrated for its tolerance and hospitality,and the average tourist will have no difficulty in adjusting to the local customs. All the same, as when coming into anyunfamiliar society, a visitor may find it helpful to be aware of certain do's and don't's and thus avoid giving accidental offense. Basically, most of these are simply a matter of common sense and good manners-not really all that different from the way one would behave in one's own country-but a few are special enough to be pointed out.

The Monarchy
The Thai people have a deep, traditional reverence for their Royal Family, and a visitor should also be careful to show respect for the King, the Queen, and the Royal Children. In a cinema, for example, a portrait of the King is shown during the playing of the royal anthem, and the audience is expected to stand. When attending some public event at which a member of the Royal Family is present, the best guide as to how to behave is probably to watch the crowd and do what it does.

Religion
Thai law has a number of special sections concerning religious offenses, and these cover not only Buddhism, the religion of the majority of the people, but also any other faiths represented in the Kingdom. It is, for instance unlawful to commit any act, by any means whatever, to an object or a place of religious worship of any community in a manner likely to insult The religion. Similarly, "whoever causes any disturbance at an assembly lawfully engaged in the performance of religious worship of religious ceremonies" is subject to punishment, as well as "whoever dresses or uses a symbol showing that he is a priest or novice, holyman or clergyman of any religion unlawfully in order to make another person believe he is such person."

In less legal language, here are a few tips on what to do and what not to do on a visit to a religious place:

Dress neatly. Don't go shirtless, or in shorts, pants, or other unsuitable attire. If you look at the Thais around you, you'll see the way they would prefer you to be dressed -- which, in fact, is probably not very different from the way you'd dress in a similar place back home. It's all right to wear shoes while walking around the compound of a Buddhist temple, but not inside the chapel where the principal Buddha image is kept. Don't worry about dirt when you have to take them off; the floors of such places are usually clean. In a Muslim mosque, men should wear hats and women should be well-covered with slacks or a long skirt, a long-sleeved blouse buttoned to the neck, and a scarf over the hair. All should remove their shoes before entering the mosque and should not be present if there is a religious gathering. Buddhist priests are forbidden to touch or to be touched by a woman or to accept anything from the hand of one. If a woman has to give anything to a monk or novice, she first hands it to a man, who then presents it. Or in case of a woman who wants to present it with her hand, the monk or novice will spread out a piece of saffron robe or handkerchief in front of him, and the woman will lay down the material on the robe which is being held at one end by the monk or novice.

All Buddha images, large or small, ruined or not, are regarded as sacred objects. Hence, don't climb up on one to take a photograph or, generally speaking, do anything that might show a lack of respect.

Social Customs
The don'ts of Thai social behavior are less clearly defined than those concerning the monarchy or religion-especially in a city like Bangkok where Western customs are better known and more widely accepted. However, what is acceptable in Bangkok may not be in the countryside where the old ways are still strong. Here are a few things to keep in mind:

Thais DO NOT normally shake hands when they greet one another, but instead press the palms together. In a prayer-like gesture called a wai. Generally, a younger person WAIS an elder, who returns it. Watch how the Thais do it, and you will soon learn. It is considered rude to point your foot at a person, so try to avoid doing so when sitting opposite anyone, and following the conception that the foot is a low limb; DO NOT point your foot to show anything to anyone, but use your finger instead. Thais regard the head as the highest part of the body both literally and figuratively. As a result they DO NOT approve of touching anyone on that part of the body; even in a friendly gesture. Similarly, if you watch Thais a social gathering, you will notice that young people go to considerable lengths to keep their heads lower than those of the elder ones, to avoid giving the impression of "looking down" on them. This is not always possible, of course, but it is the effort that counts. Public displays of affection between men and women are frowned upon. You may see some very Westernized young Thai couples holding hands, but that is the extent of the displaying of affection in this polite society. Losing your temper, especially in public, will more than likely get you nowhere. The Thais think such displays denote poor manners, and you are more apt to get what you want by keeping a cool head and concealing your emotions. DO NOT be surprised if you are addressed by your first name; for instance, Mr. Bob or Miss Mary instead of by your surname. This is because Thais refer to one another in this manner, usually with the title "Khun" (Mr., Mrs., or Miss) in front. Follow the customs of any country as far as possible, and you will make more friends during your stay. The more friends you make, the more you will want to return to Thailand.

Answer 9

let me inform you. in various of countries alongside with US, you are able to communicate any political matters see you later as u like, no problem. yet in china, no achievable discuss the authorities(i'm in china now), fantastically the president's existence, unfavorable aspects, that type of element. all this kinds of matters will be deteled. because they authorities is afraid that your "unfavorable topic" ought to reason unfavorable impact on the society. so as that they take care of the intermet strictly, now the google has withdrawed from china. because the chinese goverment continually restrict the quest results of google. in the intervening time facebook, twitter, my area, youtube are also banned in china because there are a kind of infomation on those webs which aren't to any extent further good to the authorities. Your challenge on Tai type is an same as i discussed

Answer 10

Don't touch the top of a Thai's head.