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)

Bangkok Podcast 42: Matchmaking

Bangkok Podcast 42: Matchmaking

On this episode, we talk with Khun Bee, owner of Bangkok Matching, Bangkok's #1 premium marriage matchmaking service. It's a very different ball of wax from a simple dating site, and in a very interes...

28 Feb 201153min

Bangkok Podcast 41: Online Dating

Bangkok Podcast 41: Online Dating

Continuing with our month of loooooove, this episode of Bangkok Podcast deals with the risks and rewards of online dating. Only ten years ago, meeting someone online was considered a bit of a nerdy wa...

20 Feb 201151min

Bangkok Podcast 40: Kaewmala

Bangkok Podcast 40: Kaewmala

Argh! Yet another wacky cable problem has made Greg and Tony's voices sound weird and echoey, but never fear! Our esteemed guest's voice came through loud and clear. On this episode - the second of fo...

13 Feb 201152min

Bangkok Podcast 39: Thai Wedding Ceremony

Bangkok Podcast 39: Thai Wedding Ceremony

To start off our month of luuuve, Bangkok Podcast will be talking about the who, why, how and how much of Thai weddings. Despite some strange microphone issues in this episode, we are joined by Jason ...

7 Feb 201155min

Bangkok Podcast 38: Canadian Ambassador Ron Hoffmann

Bangkok Podcast 38: Canadian Ambassador Ron Hoffmann

It's a strata of expat life that few of us have to deal with on anything more than an administrative level, but the particulars of how two countries interract and overlap is a complicated Venn diagram...

29 Jan 20111h 2min

Adam Bradshaw: Thai Language Series 9 on the Bangkok Podcast (1.37)

Adam Bradshaw: Thai Language Series 9 on the Bangkok Podcast (1.37)

(Direct download .mp3) We are lucky to be joined by another farang Thai speaker for our Thai language series, Adam Bradshaw. Adam has a large online following who enjoy watching his energetic and easy...

23 Jan 201148min

Bangkok Podcast 36: Finding a job in Bangkok

Bangkok Podcast 36: Finding a job in Bangkok

On this episode, Tony and Greg discuss the ins and outs of finding a job in Thailand. A lot of people - after a vacation full of fun and frivolity - think that moving to Thailand will be a sure way to...

16 Jan 201140min

Bangkok Podcast 35: Woody Milintachinda Pt 2

Bangkok Podcast 35: Woody Milintachinda Pt 2

On the second part of our interview with talk show host and all around cool dude Woody Malintachinda, we learn a bit more about Woody's job and some of the crazy stories that come from being on TV. Fr...

9 Jan 201145min

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