Traveling is incredibly exciting and opens so many doors for self-growth and learning opportunities. When traveling to different countries, getting to see the landscapes, cities, and cuisine are all super exciting, but perhaps getting to meet local people and learn about new cultures is one of the best parts. It’s a good idea to read up on local culture and customs before heading somewhere to ensure you are respectful and don’t accidentally offend anyone. Thailand is a very popular destination for travelers, so here are some important cultural points to keep in mind while there.
Politeness and Respect Are Important
This is true of many cultures around the world, but some may be more willing to let it slip at times than others. In Thailand, these concepts are very important, especially for elders, so it’s essential to always keep this in mind.
Greetings Matter
This ties in with the above point, as the common choice for greeting people, is a sign of respect. The hands are placed together in front of the body, followed by a bow. The higher the hands and the deeper the bow, the more respect is being shown.
Strong Emotions Aren’t Common in Public
It is very unusual in Thailand to show strong emotions in public, particularly negative ones. To demonstrate strong negative emotions in public may be associated with the concept of losing face, and can be seen as shameful. It’s believed that these matters are better dealt with in private.