Oh, Culture! {Take One}

Hey friends, I thought you might be interested in knowing about some of the cultural differences that I have been experiencing since moving to Thailand. My major is intercultural studies, so this program is entirely about learning how to study another culture and integrate into it gracefully and respectfully. It is part of my “homework” that I go out each day and spend some time actively observing the culture. In other words, my homework = people watching. This. Is. Awesome. Here are just a few of the things that I have experienced in my time here… and more will come. :)

I often find myself wanting to step outside onto my front porch, grab a book and a Thai iced tea and prop my feet up to take in the Thai afternoon glory of sunshine and humidity. In America, there would be no problem with such an idea, and you might even see someone doing it today as you drive down the road of your neighborhood. If I were to do it here, however, there would be a little bit of an issue. In Thailand, the bottom of one’s feet is seen as the dirty place on your body, and it is disrespectful to ever show the bottom of your feet or move anything with your feet. Since your feet should never be pointed at anyone, propping them up is simply not an option. *Sigh* I could still read my book out on the front porch, but somehow it has lost its appeal….

And get this: I’m a pretty girl, and in the states it is common to be stared at, honked at, yelled at, and whatever else you might imagine as I walk down the road, buy groceries, stuff my face at local restaurants, and do pretty much anything… But here in Thailand I don’t get any of that! No more long, rude stares by men, no more feeling like I am an object to be used for someone’s pleasure. I asked my leaders why they thought that was the case, and here was my answer: Thai guys simply aren’t too interested in farang women. No interest = no long stares. Hey, it works for me.

Ooh, and here is one that I enjoy. When I walk with my girls, I get to hold their hands! This might not sound too interesting to you, but I enjoy being able to show my affection for someone by walking up beside them and grabbing their hand (and not just shaking it). In the US there would be an immediate assumption that we were not just friends, but more than likely gay friends. It wouldn’t be cool to walk around holding your best friend’s hand if you wanted to be thought of as straight. But here it is totally culturally appropriate to hold hands with the same gender. So I get to walk around with my Thai girls and my American girls alike and hold hands. Yay!

Stay tuned for more of my lovely little cultural adventures!