Wow. You’re pretty observant. About the cuisine part though. I must admit that I was a cheese lover. But most Thai do not enjoy cheese on their meal very much and from some time living without my homeland food instead having the cheesy food everyday I must say I prefer spicy food now. But the ketchup and Mayo are the right choice. They’re not too cheesy and they have a little bit sour taste which is familiar in most Thai meals.
I’m not sure if you have a chance to try Thai cuisine. They usually have all taste combine (Spicy,Salty, Sour and the dessert are very sweet). We reagularly used spices on our meal. So that’s where the habit of adding ketchup came from. If the taste is not alright we can fix it.
About the ice in our drink… My Vietnamese friend said they do that in their country too. We have pretty hot summer here that’s why our drinks usually have ice in it. The same reason go to why we have to bath trice a day.
That’s why we quite disgust with some foreigners who didn’t take a bath and have really bad smell. But I’m pretty sure we will never admit to them out loud since it is the manner not to talk frankly for it might hurt that person’s feelings. (and bear with the smell? No thanks I prefer telling them to go have some showers and put some clean clothes on)
and…yes our English skills need times to improve (and heaven knows how much time we need).
I wouldn’t say we are shy…We are not naturally shy.(from what I observe in the camp that have international students. Thai people like to entertain and always jump in to the group)
The shyness was from the lack of skills in foreign language.
Anyway have fun with the observation. Good Luck.