What changes/adjustments have you made to integrate

You may realise of course I was prompted to start this topic by a couple of other recent topics, neither of which really covered what I felt should be highlighted, or indeed what I wanted to highlight.

So my topic is:- What changes or adjustments have YOU made to integrate yourself into your Thai relationship (i.e with your TW/TGF) and indeed to adapt/align yourself more with Thai people and culture.

I'll start the ball rolling, with some examples of things I have focussed on in my attempts to become more Thai/integrated:

I try not to get angry
I don't outwardly display anger
I don't conduct myself in a loud or confrontational manner
I don't shout or gesticulate
I don't fight
I don't force my views or my culture on my GF or Thai people
I don't force farang food on my GF.
I conduct myself in a low key calm quiet manner
I show respect and politeness
I show appreciation
I enquire, not demand
I "wai" appropriately (I hope). I.e I initiate a "wai" when being introduced to a senior person. I do not initiate a "wai" when entering a shop or restaurant.
I try to be conscious that I don't cause someone to "lose face"
I eat Thai food
I tip modestly
I don't step over people
I don't tap people on the head, nor touch them with my feet
I am aware about not positioning myself above a senior person.
Nor to postion myself at a lower level than a junior. So you can't kneel to propose to your younger GF!
I bow or stoop, if I have to walk in front of a TV that people are watching.
I don't reach across people at the meal table
I eat with small spoonfuls/mouthfuls, wiping my mouth if needed.
I give/offer some of my food to my partner when eating together
I show consideration for my partner and other people I am with.
I've even recently let them put ice in my beer!! (joke).
I try and speak thai when the opportunity arises, e.g. when ordering in a restaurant etc.
I sometimes shower with cold water, or at a push sit on the floor, though I find the latter difficult to do for very long!

Ok. I'll stop there. There's a few things for you to be going on with.
I know there are plenty more!!

actually Arjay, I have never consciously done anything but now you've listed them I find I have done mostly the same. I think its called good manners when in anothers 'house'

yes i agree with val,it seems natural to do these things when in thailand, and i have done, and do all of these things, apart from eating small spoonfuls of food, well it all depends on your version of small of course, any thing less than a level table spoon i would consider small, my spoonful is usually more heaped.

Nice thread to counter the "molding" the wife/GF thread.

I always take of my footwear when entering any house.

I always eat on the floor if Thais are present as they prefer it.

I always participate in my local temple's fund raising and fairs.

More later i have to pop out.

I find that like the other posters I try to adapt to local customs-- I can even tolerate ice in the beer...I dont worry about being on time...If something cant be done yoday It will get done tomorrow...

i find ice in your "beer chang" fits perfectly together, not so sure about other brands though.

I am more than happy for family and friends to come round at any time without ringing first.The more the merrier.

I try not to get angry
I don't outwardly display anger
I don't conduct myself in a loud or confrontational manner
I don't shout or gesticulate
I don't fight
I don't force my views or my culture on my GF or Thai people
I don't force farang food on my GF.
I conduct myself in a low key calm quiet manner
I show respect and politeness
I show appreciation
I enquire, not demand
I "wai" appropriately (I hope). I.e I initiate a "wai" when being introduced to a senior person. I do not initiate a "wai" when entering a shop or restaurant.
I try to be conscious that I don't cause someone to "lose face"
I eat Thai food
I tip modestly
I don't step over people
I don't tap people on the head, nor touch them with my feet
I am aware about not positioning myself above a senior person.
Nor to postion myself at a lower level than a junior. So you can't kneel to propose to your younger GF!
I bow or stoop, if I have to walk in front of a TV that people are watching.
I don't reach across people at the meal table
I eat with small spoonfuls/mouthfuls, wiping my mouth if needed.
I give/offer some of my food to my partner when eating together
I show consideration for my partner and other people I am with.
I've even recently let them put ice in my beer!! (joke).
I try and speak thai when the opportunity arises, e.g. when ordering in a restaurant etc.
I sometimes shower with cold water, or at a push sit on the floor, though I find the latter difficult to do for very long!

Ray,it might be an idea to read your own previous posts,as otherwise there is no coherence to your postings:

Yes I yell when I'm angry

maybe ray23 is agreeing and just copied the bits he agree's with.

Coot wrote:Ray,it might be an idea to read your own previous posts,as otherwise there is no coherence to your postings:

Yes I yell when I'm angry

''no coherence'',you make a judgement like that from one interpretation!

Yuo know me folks not worth a darn on a computer just trying to us that and edit it just spent thrity mins to do it only to watch it go bye Bye. I think I'm going to have. go to word and do it here aftre a copy seems when you in edit mode if another post comes up you lose what you wrote

So no Coot Arjay did such wondeful job I was just trying to follow his guidline. so I will post mine in an hour or so you know how us old guys are we got to to and complain about the flies

I cooperate with spur-of-the-moment requests to drive 3 hours upcountry for no good reason at-all. This is referred to as being spontaneous back in the U.S.

(I can forgive the failure to plan ahead.--sometimes!)

Sorrry about that the original was actually wahat arjay had to say and was a mistake on my part in trying to use it incorrectly seem to be doing a lot that recently.

try not to get angry / yes I really don

Well written Ray. I couldn't have put it any better myself. especially at 1.00am in the night.