Why Wai Free Zones!

[scotchbroth100 0]

Despite the fact that I've been coming and going in Patts for a number of years now, the whole issue of the wai still puzzles me. Is there a time when we should or should not wai back? We walk into an establishment - be it bar or restaurant etc. we get wai'ed at and then us falangs make a - well lets be honest here - a pretty shit wai in return!, should we really bother? Is it expected?

[monkeyman 1,641]

Basically, don't do it. You can insult them if you get it wrong, though they probably wouldn't take offence.

 

Much better to respond with an appropriate gesture from your own culture IMO. (perhaps not this one )

Edited March 3, 2008 by monkeyman

[CheshireTom 1,377]

Despite the fact that I've been coming and going in Patts for a number of years now, the whole issue of the wai still puzzles me. Is there a time when we should or should not wai back? We walk into an establishment - be it bar or restaurant etc. we get wai'ed at and then us falangs make a - well lets be honest here - a pretty shit wai in return!, should we really bother? Is it expected?

 

You don't return a wai to service staff unless you know them on a personal level. A nod and to acknowledge them is all that's required.

[Obsession 571]

I dont wai. Less and less are waiing in Pattaya. Thats what I thought the thread was about when I read the title. They all used to do it all the time, but not now.

[fd2084 0]

Despite the fact that I've been coming and going in Patts for a number of years now, the whole issue of the wai still puzzles me. Is there a time when we should or should not wai back? We walk into an establishment - be it bar or restaurant etc. we get wai'ed at and then us falangs make a - well lets be honest here - a pretty shit wai in return!, should we really bother? Is it expected?

You wouldn't normally return a wai in such a case, just nod your head slightly and smile. But if you're in a borderline situation and do feel like wai'ing then go right ahead. No one is going to be insulted if your honest attempt at a wai is awkward or inappropriate, and they won't think you're a moron for it. Well, no one whose opinion is of any value, at least.

[scotchbroth100 0]

I dont wai. Less and less are waiing in Pattaya. Thats what I thought the thread was about when I read the title. They all used to do it all the time, but not now.

I've got to agree with you on this, that it is becoming less common here now.

[zaphodbeeblebrox 0]

If you can properly wai, you should wai a person in superior status to you. For instance, I wai my doctor and my boss, but that's about it. You should acknowledge anyone who wais you with a nod.

[joekicker 53]

If you can properly wai, you should wai a person in superior status to you. For instance, I wai my doctor and my boss, but that's about it. You should acknowledge anyone who wais you with a nod.

 

I read what you said but I don't think you meant what you wrote.

 

The wai is initiated (properly) by the lower-status person as you sort of indicate. Who is lower status depends on a whole bunch of stuff (if you think the British are class conscious, you can learn a lot in Thailand). but your doctor probably qualifies and your boss almost certainly. So you wai them.

 

Then you kind of fell apart. Normally, both these people would wai you (back). Similarly, you would wai SOME people who initiate a wai to you, but not all of them. You wouldn't wai back a child or a service girl in a bar, for example. But you would wai back your sister in law for sure, and probably the nurse who greets you into the doctor's office.

 

The advice above is pretty good - in general, in Pattaya, don't wai back. But if you're going to start using these examples like doctor and boss, you're going to get caught up because the rules are many, myriad and for an inexperienced resident or visitor damned complicated.

[Eneukman 1]

I cringe when I see farangs wai-ing service waitresses and other service staff in restaurant. To begin with, they don't have a clue how to return a wai - hands at chest level pointing at the other person's head. As for returning a wai to a child!!!!

 

I have a pretty good idea HOW to wai, but not a clue as to when to and how high it should be - gf's parents/siblings etc - so I don't. I always acknowledge a wai though, which in Pattaya is sufficient.

 

Alan