Thai Ladies, some cultural challenges

Home All Packages Angels Gallery Articles Information Excursions Contact Directory

Thai Ladies : Now you are in love with your Thai Lady, knowledge about the Thai Culture is a must!

Historical Thai culture plays a large part of your Thai lady's life

In Thai society there's lots of social traditions and codes, that are followed vigorously by all Thai’s and especially Thai Ladies. There are aspects to the culture that without a little knowledge of, can be quite challenging and difficult for you to adjust to as a westerner.

Most Thais don't understand privacy and personal space the way Westerners do. While Western couples tend to spend a lot of time alone, Thai couples spend more time with their families. Marrying a Thai lady is like getting married to a whole family. This saying holds true considering that Thai families like to spend time together; for example eating, shopping, going on excursions or holidays.

In Thai ladies life at her family home, there are usually a lot of people around at all times

It could be the grand parents, aunts, cousins and neighbors. While living in a Thai family, a Westerner may feel a need for more personal space, while most Thai ladies find it warm and enjoyable.

Social events form an important part of Thai ladies life and take up a lot of her time. Weddings, monk ordinations and funerals are the most common formal social gathering in Thailand.

Stopping by at a friend's or family member's home, without giving advance notice, is a common practice in Thailand. Thais see it as a nice gesture to visit family and friends when they happen to be in the neighborhood. The visitors often bring food to share.

Thailand is a hierarchical society and they have a lot of respect for anyone who's senior to them. Your Thai Lady especially appreciates and respects people like teachers, civil servants, doctors, monks and the royal family. These individuals contribute a lot to Thai society, therefore are respected.

Thai Ladies respect the older members of their community. They appreciate the experience and wisdom of older people and will often seek advice from them. Thais feel a great responsibility towards senior family members and traditionally will take care of parents and grandparents.

In Thai culture the head is the most sacred part of the body. Thais avoid touching somebody's head without good reason. The feet are regarded as the lowest part of the body and are seen as unclean. Shoes should be removed when entering a private Thai home as a sign of respect. You should never point your feet at someone or an object as this is considered disrespectful.

Your Thai Lady believies that behaviour originates in the heart. The term 'jai yen' means “cool heart” meaning stay calm and don’t show anger. Thais make every effort to stay calm, even in the most challenging situations. Being 'jai yen' is highly prized in Thailand and will gain you respect. If you lose your cool, you will lose the respect of everyone including your Thai Lady.

Thais are intrinsically kind. They will go out of their way to ensure you are safe and happy. Generosity is highly regarded in Thailand. If you want to impress your Thai Lady you need to be ‘nam jai’. That means “water heart” or to act in a kind and generous manner. Thai people place a lot of value on ‘nam jai’. By being generous and considerate, and especially if you offer something without expecting anything in return, you are expressing ‘nam jai.’

The wai is the main form of greeting in Thailand. Among Thais, there are strict rules of hierarchy that dictate how and when the wai should be given. Generally, lower status people wai higher status people first. The higher a person's hands go, the more respectful they are. You should not lower your head below someone of lower status.

As a foreign visitor, you are not expected to know how to wai, but if you understand the rules, you will make a good impression. You can wai first to a higher status person. But you should not wai first to a lower status person.

This gives you a brief insight into the cultural background of your Thai Lady and should be seen as a snippet with further reading needed.