Wanderlust: Expat Life & Style in Thailand August / September 2015 - Art & Education Issue | Page 28

Education you can speak a bit of Thai can you really understand the perks. First, life becomes so much easier. The mundane, daily life things that a language barrier can make stressful or frustrating take half the time. It's no longer a struggle to call the internet provider, explain something to the maid, get a motorbike fixed, do a money transfer at the bank, get clothes altered, or book a taxi, etc. Second, whilst I believe the way one negotiates with a Thai is just as important as being able to negotiate in their language, it can have its advantages. I have had many instances where I have been given a discount or lower ‘Thai price’ without even asking. Believe me, this is a great feeling. A final and important perk is that you get to know the Thai culture and way of life in a different way. Many Thais who cannot speak any English are from poor, underprivileged backgrounds. I have chatted with them all — lady boys, massage workers, bar girls, house keeping staff, and maids. When you speak Thai with them, they open up and feel more on the same level. Their stories are often sad but have made me more humble and truly grateful for the hand I was dealt in life. Even if you’ll only be in Thailand for short time, it’s worth your while to learn the language. What’s the worst thing that could happen? Learning Thai only means that your experience living in Thailand will be richer and more pleasant and memorable. I encourage you to give it a go. You’ve got nothing to lose but plenty to gain. Thai Moments The below Thai Moments are just a few examples of the many encounters I’ve experienced in Thailand. Many are funny or sweet stories and some of them are sad, but all of them have deepened my understanding of Thai culture and have enriched my expat life. THE BIRTHDAY GIRL I chatted once with a bar girl whose English level was very poor. It was her birthday, and there was a small celebration for her. She cried when I gave her a little gift. She explained in Thai that her family had been so poor that they had never celebrated her birthday; she had never received a birthday present before. It was her 23rd birthday. THE PROMOTION I was at the till paying in 7-Eleven and, as I did so, one staff member told her colleague that she didn’t know how to explain the latest promotion to me in English and was too embarrassed to try. I understood everything. As I left I cheekily told them in Thai that I knew about the promotion already. They were mortified that I had understood and then we all had a good giggle about it. NOSY IN 7-ELEVEN Speaking of 7-Eleven, also at the cash register, I overheard one Thai female staff tell her colleague that she liked my nose. (Thais just love Western noses almost as much as white skin.) As I paid, I told them in Thai, thanks and that I liked their beautiful Thai hair. Again, shock turned into embarrassment, which was followed by laughter. 28 WANDERLUST WWW.WANDERLUSTMAG.COM