Profile
Blog
Photos
Videos
Now that I have finally taken the plunge into this ever-growing 'Blogosphere' I should probably commence my travel writing for you World Wide Web users to read and relish. So sit back, relax, sip your tea (or coffee, Lucozade, beer) and get ready for some inspirational jargon tied into true yet very 'not-boring' stories, info and advice.
I promise to keep it real, and even though I'm not a back-packer I've seen everything a back-packer has!
Anyone going to Thailand anytime soon? Thailand would probably be my specialist category if I went on MasterMind, so here we go.
I could begin by briefing you of the things Thailand is most famous for;
- the brutal yet addictively thrilling sport of Muay Thai boxing
- the spicy Thai salads, soups and slippery noodles
- the make believe, but actually very real, beautiful beaches and idyllic islands
- that infamous fruit they say tastes 'heavenly' yet smells like your staff room toilet
- the cheap booze, and the crazy nightlife purchased with it
But I won't.
I will tell you about all of the above, eventually, because they are part of the many contributing factors that give Thailand its 'Amazing' reputation. What I am most keen to blog about is the humble attitude of the Thai people and I'm certainly not being bias when I say it! I can't tell you how many times I get the repeated reaction from fellow Brits when I tell them I've visited Thailand. "LADYBOYS!" they exclaim. But no, Thailand isn't all about ladyboys and the sex industry, every country has one so why is it the first thing people think about when they hear 'Bangkok'?!
As a British girl, who thinks she knows her country inside out, I can honestly state that the Thai people are generous, helpful, and most of all kind with innocent warm hearts. Of course I can't speak for the whole of the population, and there are some tricksters out there (and believe me, I've met the tricky few and I could tell you all about them)! But i do believe that some, or more than some, of my fellow Brits could seriously take a leaf out of the Thai's aged old book!
They are grateful. They are polite. And most of all they are not rude! 'Respect' is something they practise day in and day out. They really do make you as the 'Farang' (foreigner/westerner) feel most welcome in their country.
So, if you've been abroad where arriving at the airport you are greeted by unhappy, displeased workers who have really bummed you out after a long distance, agonising flight... then you have arrived in the wrong country! In Thailand you are greeted by many flashes of sparkling smiles, teeth everywhere! They bow slightly, they 'wai' (clasp their hands together like a prayer) and exclaim "Sawadee-kaa/krub" (Hello)! Their enthusiasm baffles me sometimes, and this is all you need to boost your mood after an awful night's sleep trying to climatise.
You'll expect the same treatment from Thai workers in restaurants, hotels, and shopping malls. But don't be shocked when you come across a young moody Thai teen who serves you coffee without a smile, or a taxi driver who simply nods as you ask for the meter to be turned on. Thai people are entitled to a bad day, they can't be enthusiastic every second of your holiday, so please don't automatically complain about their attitude when you've been reassured that their service is brilliant - just like I've reassured you here! So I will be realistic - the Thai's give the warmest welcome but, like you and I, they do sometimes forget their manners after a long hard day at work.
- comments