As I have stated over and over again throughout this blog, Thailand is a very unique place. Of course, my only basis of comparison is the good ol' land of the brave, but the differences are so astounding and downright addling at times that it is crucial to sometimes sit back and objectively take a look at what I am and have been experiencing. I recently came across a great blog, Things White People Like, and was almost immediately inspired to do something similar with my limited experience in Thailand. Now first and foremost, this is in no way meant to be offensive. In fact, most of these characteristics are at the very worst eccentric and at the very best flattering. Thai people are so culturally centered and, while allowing a healthy amount of foreign influence, very proud and pleased with their distinct way of life. I am merely embracing this way of life by pointing the humorous observations of a few foreign admirers. What follows is a list of 50 things that, in my and several consultants' opinions, most Thai people seem to like. I wanted to present a lengthy list of things Thai people do not like, but I struggled to come up with more than 10. After all, as my friend Liz Jewett put it, "they are very agreeable people." This is intended to be a light-hearted look at the Thai people and is probably slightly geared toward the 13-25 year old age group seeing that I have had more direct contact with this bracket. Please keep in mind, this is intended to be an endearing look at a people who I consider to be, now and forever, my dear friends. I would also like to thanks a few collaborators for this entry, friends of mine who have been here and marvelled at the interesting and sometimes peculiar way of the Thai people. Thank you Caitlyn Scherer, Gerry McAndrew, and especially Liz Jewett. And one last thing. I apologize to those of you who have never lived in Thailand as you may not be able to appreciate this fully. So, without further ado, I present...
Things Thai People Like:
1) Online computer games
2) Ice cream sandwich, literally with bread
3) Taking photographs
4) Karaoke
5) Being in photographs preferably while suspended in mid-air
6) Colored contact lenses
7) Umbrellas
8) Pork
9) Umm, rice
10) Football
11) Cellular telephones
12) "Hello"
13) Online computer games
14) Meat on a stick
15) Prison Break
16) Foreigners attempting to speak Thai
17) Foreigners attempting to do anything Thai-ish
18) Ring tones
19) 6 hours of sleep, max
20) "I'm fine, thank you, and you?"
21) Motorcycles
22) Thailand
23) Impromptu dance parties
24) Foreigners dancing
25) Thai food
26) Light heartedness in dire situations
27) Beauty
28) Drinking soda out of a plastic bag
29) 555( 5=ha in Thai language...Thai equivalent to LOL)
30) Thai soap operas
31) Online computer games
32) The whiskey drinking ritual
33) Superstitious beliefs
34) Loudspeakers set to medium volumes to avoid shouting(vendors)
35) Chatting online while being in the same room with you
36) Japanese anime
37) "Hero"- Mariah Carey
38) Action/ Sci-Fi movies
39) Taking photos on the beach while simultaneously avoiding sunlight
40) Weird homemade candy
41) Wearing heals for women(and, well, for some men)
42) White people(literally, the whiter the better)
43) Drive-by dance parties
44) Extremely disturbing and violent horror movies
45) Online computer games
46) Khao San Road(you would think they wouldn't like this because it is very touristy, but many of my Thai friends love it)
47) Dancing, singing, every, any, and all competition(s)
48) Slapstick comedy, Thai style
49) Straws
50) Baby Powder
Things Thai People Don't Like:
1) Ghosts
2) The sun
3) Shorts
4) Loud people, places, or things
5) Stares from strangers
6) Cell phone etiquette
7) Being solitary
8) Laziness(mind and body, that is...computer games take a lot of energy actually)
9) Public displays of affection
10) Meals that are not shared
I LOVE YOU, THAILAND. SAWASDEE KRAP.
