Window on Thailand
Bits of culture that may or may not surprise you.
Back to Normal
After spending eight months in America for itineration/support raising, coming back to Thailand was like coming back to “normal” … in some ways. (You can read about my re-entry observations and surprises about America in my “What is ‘normal’?” series.) Here is a list of what “normal” looks like in Thailand:
“Back to normal” series – #1: grapes have seeds
#2: rice fields. mountains. views like these on my bike rides.
#3: driving my motorbike! = ponytail down, (poncho on,) helmet on, sunglasses on, drive, sunglasses off, helmet off, (poncho off,) ponytail up. Repeat.
#4: A4 paper
#5: kids without carseats
#6: Starbucks menu starts at short (not tall), and there are regularly free samples!
#7: blinker on the right, wiper on the left…
#8: after eating at a fast food place or in a food court, don’t bother taking your dishes!
#9: Race start at 6:00am on a Sunday morning!
#10: Buddhism, wherever you look.
#11: 7-11 stores are on nearly every block… and sometimes across the street from each other.
#12: full service gas stations.
#13: running at the Huay.
#14: riding the Baan Huay Kaew loop.
#15: sounds of a tuk-eh … he’d better not be in my house! (a tuk-eh is a frightening gecko)
#16: carports, not garages
#17: telephone+unlimited data plan for around $10 a month. yes please.
#18: getting THE LOOK = “WHY is that white girl riding her bike HERE, at THIS time of day, in THIS weather?!”
#19: light switches on outside walls (on the outside of the room where the light is)
#20: clapping on the on-beats
#21: low kitchen and bathroom counters
#22: announcement trucks (blaring announcements through speakers while driving around town)
#23: saying goodbye at the airport
#24: 7-11 stamps. Collect and trade in for cool 7-11 stuff! A friend slipped this one in my Bible for me when I wasn’t looking.
#25: for vehicle service, they give you old parts and empty bottles back, to say, “see, we’ve done it!”
#26: visible wiring.
#27 – “condiments” packet for delivered pizza includes 2 parts crushed pepper, 2 parts oregano, and 8+ parts ketchup packets.
#28: hard beds. like, really hard. as in, some feel like a bundle of 2×4’s covered in cloth.
#29: being somewhat (or a lot) out of the loop of American culture and current shenanigans.
#30: Santa and Christmas trees and decorations mean “Happy New Year”. I’m grateful for many opportunities this season to share what CHRISTmas is all about!
#31: fires burning something on the side of the road, and no one blinks an eye.
#32: You know it’s winter when the street dogs are wearing sweaters.
Oh yes. #33: Street dogs
#34: Fireworks/sparklers set off by soccer fans after the game? No big deal.
#35: Pedestrians crossing the highway.
On Being Culturally Relevant
While there are other models of Ronald McDonald around, this one is the most common. He is giving the traditional Thai greeting, called a wai.
Thai Practicality
If you sell wigs and pants, then why bother with the whole mannequin?
“To be Thai is to be Buddhist”
Chiang Mai, a city of 700,000 people, has 300 Buddhist temples. Thai people will say they are Buddhist, even if they don’t practice it, simply because they are Thai. This presents many challenges when trying to share Jesus with them. This picture is one of the temples in Chiang Mai. The pointy things on the roof are called cho fah, and are meant to keep evil spirits from landing on the roof.
THE ILLUSTRIOUS PLASTIC BAG
Thais use plastic bags all the time, for just about everything. Dinner to go? The way to order food to-go is translated literally, “put it in a bag.” Snacks are in plastic bags; if you buy one item at 7-11 they will offer a bag; soda/tea/coffee/juice is in a bag….. and yes, even eggs. I learned very fast to carry these home on my bike handle, NOT in my basket!
Donald Duck… eating noodles… at a Buddhist temple.
Yes, you read that right, and saw it right too! I met this guy at a Buddhist temple near the heart of Chiang Mai. The temple grounds are full of concrete statues of various animals – hippo, giraffe, monkey, leopard, deer – and Donald. At first I was very surprised to see him front and center in front of an ornate temple, but then I started thinking about Thai culture. Thais love “sanuk” – FUN. Donald is fun. Donald lightens up the place. And if Donald is eating some Thai food, all the better. Have some fun today, and think of Donald.
Monk, 7-11, Peppers!
I love this picture because it encapsulates three essentials of Thai culture.
1. The Monk – Buddhism!
2. 7-11 – in Chiang Mai, there is a 7-11 on every other corner… and I’m not exaggerating!
3. The pile of chilis in the bottom left – Thai food is soooo spicy (and delicious!), and these little peppers are smaller than your pinky finger but do they pack a punch!