Do Thais Really Smile More Than Anyone? [Season 3, Episode 47]
The Bangkok Podcast19 Helmi 2019

Do Thais Really Smile More Than Anyone? [Season 3, Episode 47]

"The Land of Smiles" has been one of the most successful marketing campaigns in history. So much so, that many people come to Thailand thinking that every single person in the country is a smiling angel, and are shocked when someone is mean or tries to scam them.

This is Greg's theory anyway, and it's one of many that he and Ed discuss as they ponder if Thailand really is deserving of its title as one of the friendliest countries in the world. Spoiler - both Greg and Ed think it probably is, but there are a few caveats. How does social structure dictate outward friendliness? Is there a difference between being friendly and being nice? And how much of this reputation comes from dumbass foreigners like us misinterpreting subtle social cues that are embedded deep in Thai culture?

Much like one's opinion of Thailand will be colored by their individual experience, so are Thais colored by their individual personalities, and a sweeping generalization - even a positive one - doesn't do any country justice. As Greg subtly explains: "Some of the biggest dickheads I know are Canadians, and we're all supposed to be nice!"

As always, the podcast will continue to be 100% funded by listeners just like you who get some special swag from us. And we'll keep our Facebook, Twitter, and LINE accounts active so you can send us comments, questions, or whatever you want to share.

Jaksot(561)

Bangkok Podcast 25: Halloween Special!

Bangkok Podcast 25: Halloween Special!

For the final show of October, we invited some friends of Bangkok Podcast down to the Bangkok Podcast Intergallactic HQ to join us in a creepy crawly Halloween-themed episode - eating bugs! Insects ha...

31 Loka 201032min

Bangkok Podcast 24: Thai Language Series 6

Bangkok Podcast 24: Thai Language Series 6

In our continuing series on the mysteries of the Thai language, linguistic lion tamer Rikker Dockum talks about the complexities of the vowels. With around 33 (depending on who you ask) vowel sounds, ...

24 Loka 201029min

Bangkok Podcast 23: Tourist Scams

Bangkok Podcast 23: Tourist Scams

Bangkok is a big and fast-paced city, and you need a significant amount of street smarts to avoid the many pitfalls that are present. One thing that many people find - despite the well-publicized 'Lan...

17 Loka 201037min

Bangkok Podcast 22: Paul Garrigan

Bangkok Podcast 22: Paul Garrigan

Bangkok is a city of many vices and more than a few temptations. If you're not careful, it can be frighteningly easy to let these things go from a sometime-hobby to a full-blown addiction, and the end...

10 Loka 201042min

Bangkok Podcast 21: Fortune Tellers

Bangkok Podcast 21: Fortune Tellers

For many westerners, fortune tellers - more often referred to as psychics - are generally seen as dwelling in the fringes of legitimacy. However, 'mor doo' ('seeing doctors') in Thailand play a much l...

3 Loka 201037min

Bangkok Podcast 20: Thai Language Series 5

Bangkok Podcast 20: Thai Language Series 5

Joined once again by Bangkok Podcasts's Thai language guru Rikker, we get into the very unique way that Thais tell time. For instance, in Thai the day is divided into four sections: morning, afternoon...

26 Syys 201038min

Bangkok Podcast 19: Thai Education System

Bangkok Podcast 19: Thai Education System

It's no secret that the Thai education system is in need of an overhaul. Everyone from government ministers to concerned parents regularly voice their opinions in the press, and there is a real concer...

20 Syys 201039min

Bangkok Podcast 18: Kaila Krayewski

Bangkok Podcast 18: Kaila Krayewski

With the legendary beauty of Thai women and Bangkok’s shadowy red light districts, Thailand is a well-known destination for men who like to act like they wished they could when they were teenagers, bu...

12 Syys 201039min

Suosittua kategoriassa Yhteiskunta

olipa-kerran-otsikko
sita
siita-on-vaikea-puhua
kaksi-aitia
i-dont-like-mondays
gogin-ja-janin-maailmanhistoria
uutiscast
poks
rss-nikotellen
antin-palautepalvelu
mamma-mia
kolme-kaannekohtaa
yopuolen-tarinoita-2
rss-murhan-anatomia
aikalisa
meidan-pitais-puhua
rss-palmujen-varjoissa
rss-haudattu
naakkavalta
mystista