CRINGE: Tales of Trying to Fit in to Thai Culture & Failing Badly [S8.E3]

CRINGE: Tales of Trying to Fit in to Thai Culture & Failing Badly [S8.E3]

Greg and Ed discuss a few of the many 'cringe' moments they have experienced over the years in failing to fit into Thai culture or 'do the right thing' according to Thai society. Ed begins with the 'classics,' mistakes that probably most expats make, such as wai-ing a person younger than you are, accidentally pointing the bottom of your feet towards a statue of the Buddha, and improperly touching a Thai person's head. Greg follows with a more specific (and hilarious) story of buying a large cereal bowl only to have his Thai girlfriend reveal it to be a bowl intended to hold toilet water. Yuk!

Ed then mentions a case of Thai language stubbornness where he insisted he like to eat 'fireflies' ('hing-hoy' in Thai) because of its similarity to the Thai word for clams ('hoy' but a different tone). Rule #1: Never argue with a Thai person about Thai language! Next, Greg recounts an embarrassing moment from a play he participated in during his brief career as a school teacher, where he kissed a fellow teacher (a Thai woman) on the cheek. Rule #2: Don't surprise a Thai woman who is not your wife or girlfriend with a kiss in public!

Ed's last story is more of a confession: for many years, he had a very difficult time telling his students apart and remembering their names, leading to some epic faux-pas. Greg concludes with a story about a confusing interaction with a homeless guy who Greg blew off even though he was trying to direct Greg to stand up because the Royal Motorcade was passing. Ouch!


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Episoder(561)

George Dupont: The Only Thai to Fight in the US Civil War [S7.E59] (Classic Recast)

George Dupont: The Only Thai to Fight in the US Civil War [S7.E59] (Classic Recast)

We recount the fascinating story of George DuPont, the only Thai person who fought in the American Civil War. The first record of George in the U.S. is in 1859, but almost nothing is known of how or w...

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Ajarn Ed: Explaining America to Thai University Students [S7.E58]

Ajarn Ed: Explaining America to Thai University Students [S7.E58]

Greg questions Ed about his main job - teaching 'American Studies' to Thai college students. Effectively, Ed's job and his side gig (the podcast) are opposites of each other, given that he is attempti...

18 Feb 202539min

Hmmm…A Few Things About Bangkok That Are Over & Underrated [S7.E57]

Hmmm…A Few Things About Bangkok That Are Over & Underrated [S7.E57]

Greg and Ed discuss various aspects of Bangkok that they believe are either overrated or underrated. The guys start with things that they believe get too many props. Greg mentions the Grand Palace and...

11 Feb 202538min

Redefining What A Modern Family Means in Thailand [S7.E56]

Redefining What A Modern Family Means in Thailand [S7.E56]

Continuing the exploration of some of the unexpectedly progressive moves that Thailand makes from time to time, Greg interviews his friend Jacob, an American, and his husband Geng, a Thai, about their...

4 Feb 202554min

Bangkok's Craft Brew Godfather: A Chat with Khun Chit [S7.E55] (Classic Recast)

Bangkok's Craft Brew Godfather: A Chat with Khun Chit [S7.E55] (Classic Recast)

Greg interviews the fascinating Wichit Saiklao, godfather of craft beer in Thailand and founder of Chit Beer, with podcast friend Scott Coates sitting in for fun. Khun Chit relates how he first learne...

28 Jan 202541min

What Changes Would Ed Make if He Was in Charge of Thailand? [S7.E54]

What Changes Would Ed Make if He Was in Charge of Thailand? [S7.E54]

Greg and Ed engage in a bit of fantasy as Ed imagines what he would do if he were the Prime Minister (or maybe more accurately, dictator) of Thailand. Ed begins with the caveat that he can only see th...

21 Jan 202544min

What's It Like Being An Exchange Student in Thailand? [S7.E53]

What's It Like Being An Exchange Student in Thailand? [S7.E53]

Greg interviews our new friend Jannik Hiller about his experience as an exchange student in Thailand. Jannik explains that while a university student, he decided he wanted to do an exchange year in a ...

14 Jan 202547min

Keeping Resolutions in Bangkok: A Fool's Errand? [S7.E52]

Keeping Resolutions in Bangkok: A Fool's Errand? [S7.E52]

Greg and Ed ring in 2025 with a difficult look back at their New Year's Resolutions from 2024. They recognize the obvious: if you don't keep your resolutions, you only have yourself to blame. But they...

7 Jan 202534min

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