why tourist (western tourist) alway do this?

Question

i work in tourist area in thailand . i notice one thing that lots of toursits (especially western tourists) use their feet to point at the things that selling in a stall. even some stall put their products on a table,tourist still use a foot to point on the products.
u know for thai people,using a foot to point at something, it's very very rude and uncivilize,also low educate.

thank u for all opinions,that very useful.

yeah, i meet lots of tourist(and i always polite with tourists),some are very nice and try to understand thai culture or what i explain about do or don't do in thailand.

but some are really bad behave,never try to accept or understand anything.

please look at the answer from "djwatto 10",this is one example of rude,uncivilize and low educate tourist who ignore of respect in the other culture.

i'm really tired and bored of this kind of bad behave tourist.
can u guys ship this kind of person to outerspace?

Answer 1

I will have to agree that these westerners think they are superior and thus have no regard fo your custom and culture. In fact I will agree with you that anyone will rather not have these people visit. They feel as though their few foreign dollars can prop up the Thai economy. Heck, even the world.

I do find it strange that these people have access to the internet and the customs and culture all over the world can be found easily, especially in the travel guide websites. So, a well-meaning traveller will look up and find information before visiting. So if a person expect to behave like in his own country, then I am sure no country will welcome a visitorlike that. Ignorance can only be pleaded for so long. Especially these local customs are found on visitor guides anytime you enter the country. So refusing to heed is just pure boorish behaviour.

The world can do with less of these type of people.

Answer 2

If whatever you want to point at is close to the ground, most farang will use their foot. It's easier to point with your foot than to bend down and point with a finger (laziness is a part of our culture too).

I suppose it's mildly considered rude but nothing too bad. It certainly isn't considered uncivilized or uneducated though.

I pointed with my foot a couple of times in Thailand (until someone explained to me that it was rude by Thai culture). I haven't done it again since.

Cultural differences and Thai customs are not known to many tourists in Thailand... but I guess it should be. People coming into a new country should read up on it but a lot of people are too lazy to do so.

Answer 3

It's funny how everyone assumes that all the rude tourists are American. Personally, I'm from Canada, I have lived in Asia for 10 years and I have have made mistakes of etiquite from lack of knowledge (not to mention spelling mistakes) And that all people who are not from Asia are 'westerners'. (Like the person from Australia. Or Europe... I never really considered Europeans as westerners...) But yes mistakes happen. And I do try to research a country before I go, but i can't learn everything. I try to learn a couple of phrases, but how can we tell what is the most important thing? I'm heavier than the average person in the country I live in, and I'm CONSTANTLY, having "big size, big size" or "no size" or "diet" yelled at me, regardless of what I am shopping for. And I have had to learn how to ignore that. But I do also realize that people let me get away with making more mistakes here that they wouldn't let the nationals, because I am caucasian. So it does go both ways. As much as tourists might make mistakes and possibly offend people, the nationals might take the time to realize that some of the things that they say may offend the tourists that some of them so desperately need for their economy.

Answer 4

First, it is well publicized not to point with your foot, but sometimes people do not know this - - It is hard to imagine someone pointing with their foot at something on a table... and please realize that there are also things here in Thailand that a Westerner must endure which in their culture [ and even in your culture is rude ] - For example - - Every where a Westerner goes they are called Farang - If you walk in a market you will hear everywhere around you and behind your back farang farang farang farang.. And how would you feel if you know that you are being charged a price that is not the real price, but higher, and only because of the color of your skin.. I am farang. I live here and love it here and speak the language and it is not unusual that Thai people say things that are rude in any culture.. And if you think that Thai people are always polite, just put one behind the wheel of a car and see where their manners go... right?

Answer 5

I've heard that in Thailand the foot symbolizes those things. I don't know why people use their feet to point, maybe because in the US and other western cultures it is a little rude to point with your finger, but I would still motion with my head or my hand at something I was showing. I think the biggest factor, though, is a lack of education about the Thailand culture. Tourists probably go there and naively expect that their customs are the same or are at least acceptable to other cultures.

Answer 6

I'm Thai and I used to experience similar thing by my own. What I did was politely explaining to him/her/them that the Thai mind the head and it's impolite to use your lower body parts especially foot to point or raise on the table where someone is sitting. What I got in return was their appreciation to educate them what's right and what's wrong when dealing with local people.

I think, all foreigners regardless of their races, nationalities have no intention to offend people on the street as they're visitors and may not thoroughly understand the cultures. What we can do as a host is politely letting them know what our cultures are. I'm rather certain that they'll thank you for what you try to help them have a happy holidays in our country.

Answer 7

In the West and in many other countries of Asia it is not impolite to point out things with the feet or even to nudge someone with them. The term 'Playing footsie' means to flirt with someone using ones feet, so there are big cultural differences here.
I agree that tourists should be more prepared when entering an entirely different culture but for only two weeks or so it is impossible to forget your own cultural norms. So what I suggest is tolerance and understanding on both sides and a gentle reminder that in Thailand this behavior is considered disrespectful.

Answer 8

It is most likely nothing more than ignorance on their part, and or habit they do it at home and no one thinks anything about it. I do believe that they may have been more Europen where they culture very much because of all the different live styles. In most cases these people do not mean to be disrespectful. I would suggest that next time this happen say to them “ I do not think you are aware but use of the foot in our country is not a good jester or action, I think you want to understand my country better as some people will not be nice to you so please remember and use your hand to point at something or someone” Thank you now how can I help you.

Answer 9

Thank you for asking a question and let's educate Public about Thailand and you really make my day.I think the tourists do not realize the Thai culture and You might have to ask your question often in Yahoo Answer then we can broadcasting our Thai culture more then we do not see the ugly foots around again.

Answer 10

I am a so called 'westerner' (even though I come from Australia, I guess you can call me a Southerner) - anyways back to my point. I know some tourist will point with there feet, so the seller doesn't know what they are actually interested in buying. I guess it is really a lame haggling trick.

Well i will be over to Bangkok on the 7 Jan and i promise you I won't point my feet, I will use my finger instead.