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 10: Launch Party!

Bangkok Podcast 10: Launch Party!

Thanks to all who came to the Bangkok Podcast launch party at Bistro 33! It was a great success and we truly enjoyed seeing old and new faces and making new friends. On this episode of the podcast, To...

18 Jul 201021min

Bangkok Podcast 9: Smiling Albino

Bangkok Podcast 9: Smiling Albino

Traveling is never as easy as they make it look on television travel shows. What many people forget is that an entire production team has been hard at work for weeks before the host ever shows up. As ...

11 Jul 201035min

Bangkok Podcast 8: Thai Language Series 2

Bangkok Podcast 8: Thai Language Series 2

In the second of our ongoing Thai language series, we continue talking to 'Thai Language Jedi' Rikker Dockum about the complexities of the Thai language. In this episode, we jump onto the much-discuss...

4 Jul 201038min

Bangkok Podcast 7: Transportation

Bangkok Podcast 7: Transportation

When people hear 'Bangkok' they usually think of either red light districts or traffic jams. Well, because they are such good boys, Tony and Greg don't have much experience with the former, but plenty...

27 Jun 201034min

Bangkok Podcast 6: Jodi Ettenberg

Bangkok Podcast 6: Jodi Ettenberg

For our second interview, we are very happy to be joined by Jodi Ettenberg - lawyer, world traveler, riot survivor, political commentator, and fan of all things related to chowing down. Those of you i...

20 Jun 201030min

Bangkok Podcast 5: Thai Television

Bangkok Podcast 5: Thai Television

In this episode of the Bangkok Podcast, we discuss something that many foreigners living here have a hard time wrapping their heads around - Thai television shows. From dramatically-enhanced soap oper...

13 Jun 201032min

Bangkok Podcast 4: Thai Language Series 1

Bangkok Podcast 4: Thai Language Series 1

One of the problems with living in Thailand is that it’s so easy to get by without being very skilled in the Thai language, a mistake that many expats make. To provide some inspiration, we are very ha...

8 Jun 201035min

Bangkok Podcast 3: Your First Time In Bangkok

Bangkok Podcast 3: Your First Time In Bangkok

Rarely does someone move to Bangkok with a full support network of friends ready to help them out; more often than not, the first few weeks or months are a bit of a struggle as you figure out how the ...

31 Mai 201032min

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