In the Genes

Thai Society and culture, Living in Thailand.
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parrot
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In the Genes

Post by parrot » July 22, 2017, 3:29 pm

Although the video at the link below isn't mine, I've seen the same thing over the years. It's like watching Thai kindergarten students go into meditation mode before taking their naps......every day things here that I can't imagine seeing back in my home country.
It's why I'm convinced you can take the girl out of the country, but you can't take the country (genes) out of the girl.
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karonsteve
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Re: In the Genes

Post by karonsteve » July 22, 2017, 8:35 pm

There any number of posts made on here that show the same is true for westerners.

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Stantheman
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Re: In the Genes

Post by Stantheman » July 23, 2017, 4:43 am

Just a quick question, was there something wrong in the posted video as I just see a very young child showing respect

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parrot
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Re: In the Genes

Post by parrot » July 23, 2017, 10:09 am

Stantheman wrote:
July 23, 2017, 4:43 am
Just a quick question, was there something wrong in the posted video as I just see a very young child showing respect
Absolutely nothing wrong. I was trying to point out how a Thai's genes (habits/beliefs etc) are etched at a young age.....actually, much younger than the boy in the video. And, yes, I agree that our western genes are etched the same way....from our parents, grandparents, traditions, customs, friends.
My comment about the country and the girl......really no different than the first generation Italians, Poles, Irish, Germans that I've known over the years.......no matter how long they've lived in the US, most retain the traditions of their home country......much like most expats in the LOS.

Over our morning cuppa today, my wife told me about the 7yr old grandaughter of a good friend of ours (Thai family). After she does her homework each evening, she goes into the family's Buddha room to meditate. On her own. One day the grandmother asked her what she saw when she closed her eyes to meditate. "Heaven," the girl replied. The grandmother told her, "I meditate every day, too, but I never see heaven."
To which the grandaughter replied, "Of course you don't. You kill ants (sin) and I don't. "

I think most any western kindergarten/primary school teacher would be most envious of how a Thai teacher can get 20, 30, 40 youngsters to sit completely still and quiet for 5 minutes or more. Of course, most western teachers have o access to rattan canes.
Nice day in the jungle!

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stattointhailand
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Re: In the Genes

Post by stattointhailand » July 23, 2017, 11:28 am

Mum "Johnny you have to go to be early tonight"
Johnny "Why?"
Mum " Coz we have to get up whilst it's still dark outside"
Johnny "Why?"
Mum " Coz we have to cook the rice & chicken"
Johnny "Why?"
Mum " So as we can give it to the monk"
Johnny "Why?"
Mum " So as we can get some merit"
Johnny "Why?"
Mum " so as we can have good luck"

Johnny :-k :-k :-k :roll:



Mum "Porn you have to go to be early tonight"

Porn "OK" zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz






MUCH LATER IN LIFE

Friends "when we finish this bottle of 100 pipers we are going to have a motorbike race"

Porn "OK"

Friends "when we finish this bottle of Johnny Walkers we are going to have a motorbike race"

Johnny "WHY?"


If you don't teach kids to question things when they are young, they will be like lemmings when they get older

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trubrit
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Re: In the Genes

Post by trubrit » July 23, 2017, 5:15 pm

In the genes brings me to another observation .I have had two Thai wives both had two young children when I married them so I have seen two generations grow up from about 4 years to adult hood , during the whole of this time I have never seen either the mothers or the kids show any physical affection to each other .They are polite with the customary wai at all times but never a kiss or a hug between them .Even my present wife and her sisters have never shown any sign of physical affection for their parents , nor does my wife with me . Sure love is shown by taking care of me in other ways, but a hug or a kiss is a very rare thing, I am not talking about as a prelude to a sexual encounter, but just as a way of showing affection .I have come to the conclusion that damn wai with it's connection to presumed status is to blame right from a very young age for this .Compared to the European greeting where even men hug and kiss(on the cheek) and adults can often be seen, especially at airports after an extended absence throwing their arms around each other it does seem rather cold and could explain a lot about personal relationships in later life .
Ageing is a privilige denied to many .

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parrot
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Re: In the Genes

Post by parrot » July 23, 2017, 5:54 pm

trubrit " I have never seen either the mothers or the kids show any physical affection to each other"

I've often watched people pass through the international arrivals area of airports......usually waiting for someone to arrive. An opportunity to see how different cultures act after not seeing someone for a time. Even today, when I visit my brothers back in the US, we'll bear hug each other at the airport with a few slaps on the back. Kisses for females....always. It's extremely rare to witness the same at Suwarnaphumi or Udon. We do have a few westernized female Thai friends that'll kiss up at the airport.
Different strokes for different folks......but interesting, to me anyway, to see how different cultures act.

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