Thai+Culture

 // The Life and Living of the Thai "The Land of the Smiles" // BY NIKKY

<span style="FONT-SIZE: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> Thailand is known as the __"Land of the Smiles."__ Thais //smile about everything//: saying hello, apologizing, make a request, etc. It's a normal Thai custom to smile about everything! But they do not say "Thank You!" about every single thing! Just smile **don't say "Thank you**!" Another traditional Thai custom is to do the "wai" when you greet someone, where you press her hands together in a praying position and bow your head. To learn how to do the Thai Wai, [|CLICK HERE!] Do __not touch someone's head__ because that is considered rude. In Thailand, the head is considered the most sacred part of the body while the feet are considered the dirtiest and lowest part of the body. Because of this, //take your shoes off// before entering a home or temple. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">Thai Culture is mostly influenced by **Buddhism but also influenced by Hinduism**. There are many __different customs in comparison to America__. It is rude to place ones feet above the head, especially if they are of higher social standing. You always take off your shoes before entering a house too! <span style="FONT-SIZE: 80%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Lucida Console', Monaco, monospace"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 80%; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">//Monks are a very important part of Thai Culture// <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">. Monks have many different rules that separate them from others. For instance, they may not have any physical contact with women. They can't even accept something directly from a women. If you ever go to a temple to see monks, wear proper attire such as longer pants and shirts. Also, do not take pictures of monks because they usually shy away the camera and disappear when a camera is token out. And do not take a picture in front of a Buddhist image or statue because this is also considered rude. <span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif"><span style="DISPLAY: block; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="DISPLAY: block; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; TEXT-ALIGN: left"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 80%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Lucida Console', Monaco, monospace"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 80%; FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Georgia, serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma, Geneva, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif"> <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">A very weird custom is to **not be too tall**! This is hard for someone from America, because they are generally taller. The taller you are, the more superior of others you think you are. Shrink down in temples so you are shorter than the monks. Sitting down too helps prevent being too tall. __Dress modestly__ because Thais find it very offensive when you wear skimpy clothes such as shorts, halter-tops, swimsuits and even short-sleeved shorts. Follow suit of other Thais to dress normal and fit it. <span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> In Thailand, royalty is a BIG deal. Show respect for the king. Rise when the national anthem is played. Never even JOKE about the king. Also, if you see a coin with the King's face on it, DO NOT STEP ON IT! First of all, the feet are the lowest part of the body and then you step on the KINGS face. This is the law and it is a big one. Everyone respects the king and queen! For example, before you watch a movie in a movie theatre, you have to stand up for the national anthem.

<span style="FONT-SIZE: 8.5pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">[|For More Information-CLICK HERE!]

Thai Culture- Dance Thai Culture- Education BIBLIOGRAPHY QUIZ <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"> <span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><span style="FONT-SIZE: 120%; FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Palatino Linotype', 'Book Antiqua', Palatino, serif"><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">