when to Wai to a Thai

Replies: 12 - Last Post: 15-May-2007 22:51 Last Post By: Phard

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callippo

14-May-2007 13:08
Posts: 6,464

when to Wai to a Thai

#1

when you have a Thai customer in the West. A Thai guy older than me came to my shop. I asked him where he was from in English and afterwards used Thai language to say hello, find out whether he wanted large or small and how much it was and after I thanked him I gave him a Wai. Each other time he's come to the shop, he gets a little bow of the head together with the Khap Khun Khrap, but not a Wai.

dominic77

14-May-2007 13:32
Posts: 4,871

A great way to ensure repeat business! ;-)

NW Thailand Motorcycle Trips, June 2008 and January 2009

Hacky

14-May-2007 14:09
Posts: 2,956

Does he order 6 or 9 piece McNuggets and super-size fries? :)

Yim nit-noi.

Hetman

14-May-2007 14:19
Posts: 621

pickled pig knickles

Irishrover

14-May-2007 15:06
Posts: 2,709

Next time he comes in ,just give him a pat on the head .

Now in Thailand

FutureExpat

14-May-2007 18:26
Posts: 328

Quote
Next time he comes in ,just give him a pat on the head

With your feet, of course.

Kananga

14-May-2007 21:15
Posts: 2,316

Quote
Next time he comes in ,just give him a pat on the head .

Make sure you pat all your customers on the head when they walk in. Don't discriminate.

If you can't beat em, delete em.

Persona_Non_Grata

14-May-2007 23:09
Posts: 2,334

It's always prefarable to Wai Thais you meet above shaking their hand.

Most Thais have a hand shake like a piece of wet fish.

I consider it a positive bit of cross cultural training for westerners to learn how, when and who to wai from Thais, while teaching Thais how to shake hands.

"Hawkeye, your kisses are driving me crazy" - "Yes, and I'm only using one lip"

Chanchao

14-May-2007 23:32
Posts: 6,715

Good point you're highlighting there: It takes every bit as much training to teach Thais how to shake hands (and kiss on the cheek!) as it takes to teach Westerners how (and when) to wai.

Check out pics and reviews of all kinds of food at chanchao.fotopages.com. Get the Thai Travel Menu, a printable bilingual menu to help you order great food off the beaten path.

Kananga

15-May-2007 00:44
Posts: 2,316

Heh, the number of limp Asian hands I have crushed in client meetings.

If you can't beat em, delete em.

callippo

15-May-2007 01:57
Posts: 6,464

it certainly makes a change to serve them rather than have them serve me.

I have some other Thai customers too, but they're pretending to be Burmese refugees. There's no way I'm going to let them, or anyone else for that matter, know that I know this. You should never forget that when you're working, you're supposed to be making money, not making friends. Maybe I picked that up in Thailand.

madwolf

15-May-2007 10:03
Posts: 221

I live in Thailand for 3 years now, the only time I did a WAI was when I met a retired former lawyer who was the head of the highest court in Thailand for more than a decade.
No Thai ever expected a WAI from me.... we are Farang and not part of their society nor do they want us to be part of their society, no matter how long we live there.... its always okay to just friendly smile and move the head a little as a greeting.... that worked perfectly for me whereever I went in those 3 years....

hate me why ??? because I speak out the truth ? {~_~} then who cares ;-)

Phard

15-May-2007 22:51
Posts: 11

I taught my M2 kids to shake hands properly. Most got it, tho' Jay the budding katoey, was happy to keep the wet-fish handshake (accompanied by a high-pitched giggle)

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