Bangkok when a bucket of sudsy water came flyin through an open doorway and caught him full frontal. Clearing the muck from his eyes our hero found himself surrounded by smiles. Fortunately, he had been in Thailand long enough to catch a smile as easily as he caught the water, smiled back, and soon everybody was laughing and cleaning the Farang When it was discovered that he could speak some Thai, the water-thrower said' excuse me'
- To excuse
In the above example the smile may have been prompted by amusement of the n the above example the smile have banana skin variety, but it also served to excuse the perpetrator of an unintended A inconvenience. When the smile was returned, it demonstrated the granting of pardon. smile may be used for these reasons a thousand times a day. Usually, the visitor will be relieved to hear for incidents less serious than the example above.
You are in the slow moving queue at the self service cafeteria at lunch time, and having made your selection, you move around people still in the process or discussing the merits of the various dishes on display and join the queue further on. Such"queue jumping is perfectly acceptable, and given the protracted negotiations that often precede election of food, is some what necessary if the line is to thought was still selecting, then realize he is waiting to pay. There is no'get to back of the queue, mate(or buddy if you prefer) and no need for an elaborate excuse. You smile, he smiles, and everything is all right. (You should however, retake your correct place in the queue!)
The observant visitor will quickly realize that the smile is the correct mechanism for repairing minor breaches of etiquette. It may take longer to realize that the smile can also be used to excuse conduct that, in his own culture, would require elaborate explanations and possible, monetary compensation. If the visitor thinks he is in a difficult situation in Thailand, he can spare a thought for the poor.
Thai student in a London pub, standing at the crowded bar covered in identical pint mugs full of bitter bee. Unintentionally, he picked up the wrong glass and drank from it. Upon this fact being pointed out to him in very clear terms, he smile
- To thank The smile is often used to thank somebody for a small service. As we point out below in the section on small talk, a verbal thank you' is used far less often than it is in the west. In Thailand, a smile perhaps accompanied by a slight nod of the head, mean thanks a little'; the return smile could be translated "oh, that's quite all right.