Manora Village Hua Hin Thailand

By and large, Thai culture is deeply rooted in historical and religious traditions of the Thai people, and it has a profound influence on the way of kingdom’s life. Thai cultural habits are distinctly differ from those accepted in the West. First of all, have to mention that Thais welcome each other by a salutation known as Wai, rather than by shaking hands as westerners do. Thais call that gesture of bowing Sawadee, and it’s one of the first things they teach their children. It makes Thai parents very proud to see their little babies bowing.
All greetings, such as Hi, Hello, How are you, Welcome, Good morning and so forth, as well as Good bye and See you later, are also called Sawadee in Thai. Actually, Thai language utilizes the gender markers distinguishing a way men and women speak.

Thai Hospitality

Hospitality is the essence of Thai people’s nature and while greeting guests into their houses or offices, first off, they cater guests with a glass of water. Likewise in the restaurants, first, you’ll be served up cold water, regardless you haven’t order nothing yet. Prior to entering a Thai house, make sure to take off your shoes. The same is true in Buddhist temples and in traditional Thai restaurants where guests are seated on the floor. Appropriate to mention that it’s quite natural for Thai folks to sit whether squatted or right on the floor, rather than on chairs. In most households, the floor is also used as a dining table. Most houses don’t have beds either, just the mattresses. Traditionally, rich Thai families has got large in size and short tables made of teakwood, used to serve the food and while eating, to sit on.

Thai Food and Table Manners

Thai table manners and a way the dishes are prepared and served, have its own distinct course. Normally, in Thai restraurants one will be given a spoon with a fork for the main meal, and short spoon with small bowl used for soups. No knifes, since the food is whether already cut down into small enough pieces, or could be easily sliced by spoon. The idea is to eat with a spoon in your right hand and a fork in your left, to help push foods onto the spoon. Chopsticks are served when ordering noodle dishes. Naturally, one will be served with the knife and fork when ordered steaks or similar western food dishes.

Needless to mention that fragrant rice is the base component in Thai-style dining. It’s prepared as the classic Thai steamed rice called Khao Soway, and served right on a plate or in small bowls from which you put it into your plate. Except deserts, all other dishes are served in no particular order, just as soon as they ready, and are eaten all together as well. Typical Thai dinner consists of several dishes placed and occasionally even cooked (fondue) right on the table, and are eaten by taking small portions from selected dishes simultaneously and topping the rice in your plate. As the drinks, aside from an ice water,

Thais prefer to accompany their dinner with some bear or whisky-rocks-soda, rather than wines. Expanding upon Thai habits, Thais like to add spice not only in the food they eat, but they also find ways to add spice and excitement to everything they do, even in simple daily routine things.

Thai Peculiar Ways

Thais respect the elders and referring with regard to the older common people as Pee, meaning the older brother or sister. It’s also customary to call youngsters as Nong, meaning the younger brother or sister. And while in restaurants or similar places, it’s polite and more approprite to call the staff whether as Pee or Nong, rather than a waiter.

All Thais have nicknames, which they use in informal, casual contacts. In contrast to the real names, which are quite long and hard to pronounce, Thai nicknames by and large made up of single syllable sounds: Lek, Nid, Na, Su, Sak, Som, Boon, Mem, Tae, Ae, Gai, Goong, Pook, Moo and so forth. Some of these are kinda hilarious, for instance, Moo means Pig, yet no offence is intended or taken.

One will not see Thai couples hugging, embracing, kissing, or any other acts of explicit affection on streets or in public places. It is unacceptable by the norms of Thai society. And for that matter, any display of strong emotions in public, especially when inhered in loud speaking or noisy arguing, is considered as disrespectful.

Thai Shopping Habits

Thai shopping habits are fundamentally differ from the West. Bargaining ain’t only customary in Thailand, it is in the very nature of Thai folks. Since most shops and hawker stands don’t show price tags, one must ask ’How much?’. As music to vendors’ years, this question starts the sell’s gambit. First, vendors look at you to assess your interest in purchase and generosity. Then, they enter into a calculator the opening price to hook you up. While attentively keeping an eye on your reactions, they tempt you to enter into a calculator the price you want to pay...
Beware, Thai traders are skilled professionals in striking a bargain.