Exeriences of Thai culture: backpacking versus 'resort tourism'

Thai people in normal occasions would never step over someone. It's considered very rude. So either the driver had a very nasty gesture on purpose (all the while smiling and joking), or he really had to step over the guy and that annoyed him (hence the smile and the joke). If you really have to sleep on the floor, make sure people are not forced to step over you!

"he really had to step over the guy and that annoyed him (hence the smile and the joke)"

that's exactly the point. he was annoyed (he had to step over somebody and that the blankets were being soiled) but not angry.

in another thread (in another branch) on travel in europe, the passenger got an earful from the train conductor for putting up his feet on the opposite seat.

oh well that a backpacker for you. But I admit i know mature older travelers that backpack but they travelers, know respect, courtesy, and are not immature dirty euro gutter snipes looking for FMP and beach with no people except other dirty backpackers, now that very cool. Sometime i backpack but not tell anybodies.