Gestures in Thailand

Thailand is not only rich in culture other than European, but also diverse with gestures that have often different meaning. Therefore, it is important to know some national characteristics in order to better understand the locals and not to get. It is worth noting that many Thai gestures are commonly azia, they can be found in other countries of Southeast Asia.

Gestures of different nations sometimes very different. I remember how one day I asked my Turkish friend about something and was waiting for a single answer from him: yes or no. Silence on his side made me ascend. The fact is that Turks have a special gesture "No", at which they are cocked, lifting a little head and eyebrows. Often this gesture is reduced to light eyebrows. This situation happened to me, my friend raised his eyebrows a couple of times, but did not pronounce the words "No". Another time I asked Bulgarian tourists, how did they like swimming on the canoe on the bay of Phang Nga, and was a lot of puzzled by a negative swaying head from side to the side and phrases, as everything was wonderful.

Spirit lives in the head

Town gestures can be divided into several categories associated with various parts of the body and manifestations of courtesy. The head is considered the most important part of the body, because the soul of man lives in it. Because of this, to touch the head of another person is considered impolite and even offensive. However, I think, in any country of the world, the unfamiliar man on the head is touching – it is impolite and strange. If this happened, be sure to apologize. The same applies to Thai children, do not need to flutter them. In Thai hairdressers, master makes a gesture "Wai", Before you start cut your head as a sign of greetings and apologies for the inconvenience in front of the Spirit in the head. The manifestation of the deepest disrespect will be the situation if your head is at the level or above the head of a person who is higher than you by status. Therefore, Thais inclined the head in front of Thai members of the royal family, monks and buddhist statues. Waiters in restaurants, porters in hotels for the same reason can pull their heads and bent before you.

Another interesting gesture, when Tapet flexs his head passing in front of you. This behavior is connected with the desire do not disturb you. For example, you are standing in the store and look at the goods on the showcase. If the Tapet can not get around you from behind, then he will notice a little in indecision, apologize and, passing between you and the showcase, will nourish his head, so as not to disturb the line of your view and not interfere with looking at the goods.

Feet – Dirty Part of Body

With the important role of the head of the foot of the legs are considered the most dirty part of the body. The situation will be a big insult if you put your feet on the table, which is considered normal in America. Also disrespect will be regarded by the gesture of signing on something foot. And, of course, you do not need to open the door to the foot or try to pose something to her. Be careful when you throw the leg to the leg, do not show your feet to the interlocutor. In Buddhist temples, it is necessary not only to bend a head in front of statues and monks, sitting on his knees, but also to direct their feet back. In no case do not sit near the shrines with legs elongated in their direction. If we spelled about the temples and behavior in them, follow your appearance: shoulders, neckline, stomach and knees should be closed. At the entrance to the room of the temple, be sure to remove the shoes. Picture, do not copy the postures of Buddha statues or monks. A big insult will be a photo in an embrace with the statue, while it does not matter where the Buddha image is located – in the temple or on the territory of the hotel. Respect the tradition of the country in which you relax or live.

Some special gestures

In Thailand there are no special sacred hand-related gestures, however, remember that Muslims left hand is considered dirty, avoid submitting something to this hand. Please note how Thais is served: two hands or just right hand, holding it for the elbow left. Such a gesture can be found in Myanmar and Malaysia. As in Russia, pointing to something finger is considered indecent, it is better to use a palm or a look. Also pay attention to how Thais call people. They make a gesture similar to children’s "bye Bye", pulling the hand parallel to the ground, and masses up and down the palm point down (in the photo below). The calling gesture of the palm, directed up, as traditionally done in Russia, applies only to animals, to apply it to people will be an insult. By analogy with the Turkish Cocan, meaning no, in Thailand there is a special gesture, talking about the absence of any object. If you ask to buy Thai Pineapple juice, from afar, he will show a sign that the last no, ended. At the same time he will do spinning around the axis gesture with palm, similar to children’s "Flashlights", Only the palm will be fully open and relaxed, and your fingers are often spread.

Gestures of teenagers and young people

Glazhny gestures in Thailand are very popular, characteristic of young people and some young senior representatives. Surely, you noticed how secretly, taking pictures, apply a palm to the cheek with your fingers, folded letter V, which means "What I’m cute". This gesture is also peculiar to men and children, it can be shown with one hand, two, the amount of fingers can be two or three. An option to declare your beauty in the photo is the gesture, when the chin is applied with a hand with an exposed index and thumb, folded at right angles. And if the Tapet shows a fist with a raised thumb and little fingers, most likely he is the Fan of the Carabao group, and this is their gesture of the bull.

Western influence

Many gestures came to Thailand from the West. For example, a well-known combination "I Love U" With the help of big, index fingers and maidena. Or letter t, folded with palms, asking for a break. On the other hand, Thais do not understand when Kukish is shown, and the little finger in the description of some kind of men will be regarded as hints on small male dignity. But the gesture OK and the fingers of the thais trees are interpreted "everything is fine", Also use the little finger for reconciliation like "Merit, Morning, no longer touch", And the crossed two fingers will mean that you should not trust the promise of this person. But the thumb, raised up, among the youth, says: "I’m angry with you".

Local residents of Thailand are not so emotional as Italians, so the spectrum of gestures and signs is not so great. They are easy to remember and use on vacation, showing present respect for Thai traditions and culture. Pleasant travel to Thailand!