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

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.

Episoder(562)

AmericanThaiGuy Ron Weaver on Mastering Thai…and Social Media [S7.E11]

AmericanThaiGuy Ron Weaver on Mastering Thai…and Social Media [S7.E11]

Greg and Ed interview Ron Weaver, aka 'AmericanThaiGuy,' on his life as an expat in Thailand as well as his excellent Thai language skills. Ron begins by waxing rhapsodically about his first visits to...

19 Mar 202448min

Foreigners Acting Badly: What Does it Take to Push Thais Over the Edge? [S7.E10]

Foreigners Acting Badly: What Does it Take to Push Thais Over the Edge? [S7.E10]

Greg and Ed discuss the Thai temperament and what exactly causes Thais to occasionally blow their collective lids. Greg uses the recent example of a Swiss expat who kicked a Thai woman in the back, al...

12 Mar 202431min

Our Friend Mookie Could Raise Her Kids Anywhere. So Why Thailand? [S7.E9]

Our Friend Mookie Could Raise Her Kids Anywhere. So Why Thailand? [S7.E9]

Ed interviews his former student Mookie about her experience studying in the U.K. and her later choice to move her family back from the U.K. to Thailand. The two old friends begin reminiscing about Ed...

5 Mar 20241h 2min

Ahh, Memories... Greg and Ed Discuss Those Vivid Early Bangkok Days [S7.E8]

Ahh, Memories... Greg and Ed Discuss Those Vivid Early Bangkok Days [S7.E8]

Getting a bit nostalgic after listening to Tay-Tay's latest album, Greg and Ed reminisce about their respective first year's in Bangkok by recounting their most vivid early memories, something that's ...

27 Feb 202435min

Adventures in Filmmaking With Expat Extraordinaire David Cluck - Part 2 [S7.E7]

Adventures in Filmmaking With Expat Extraordinaire David Cluck - Part 2 [S7.E7]

This is Part 2 of Ed's interview with friend and expat extraordinaire David Cluck. The guys pick up where they left off, discussing the holy grail: living in Thailand but making a Western salary. Davi...

20 Feb 202452min

Adventures in Filmmaking With Expat Extraordinaire David Cluck - Part 1 [S7.E6]

Adventures in Filmmaking With Expat Extraordinaire David Cluck - Part 1 [S7.E6]

Ed interviews David Cluck, a Bangkok-based filmmaker, friend of the podcast and bona-fide "interesting expat". The guys begin talking about their mutual love of Thailand, but then go back to the begin...

13 Feb 202456min

Land of Frowns: Ed Details Lessons Learned from a Thai Divorce [S7.E5]

Land of Frowns: Ed Details Lessons Learned from a Thai Divorce [S7.E5]

We're getting a bit personal on this episode as Ed talks about his marriage and eventual divorce in Thailand. Although it's a difficult topic, enough time has elapsed that Ed is ready to discuss wheth...

6 Feb 202441min

Dr. Natthawat Hongkarnjanakul on Thailand's Space Ambitions [S7.E4]

Dr. Natthawat Hongkarnjanakul on Thailand's Space Ambitions [S7.E4]

Ahh, Thailand. Beaches, sunsets, late-night parties, serene temples, and…space technology design and future satellite launch site? Greg interviews Dr. Natthawat Hongkarnjanakul of the Thai Geo-Inform...

30 Jan 202445min

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