Taboo of Thai people

Thai people are top-heavy and their feet are the lowest in people's eyes. Because the climate in Thailand is like summer all the year round, ancient Thais used to walking barefoot, so their feet are considered to be the dirtiest. When you are sitting with Thai friends, don't tilt your soles to anyone. This is an insulting move, which means stepping on people. Pointing at things with your feet is more impolite, and kicking the door with your feet will be spurned.

When handing something to someone, use your right hand, not your left. Because in ancient times, the left hand was used to do dirty work such as wiping the bottom after defecation, and it was also dirty. It was a contemptuous move to pass things with the left hand.

Never sign with a red pen. In Thailand, the name of the deceased is written on the coffin in red pen. The red signature indicates that the man is dead.

Thailand respects knowledge and learning. Don't sit with a book unless you can find a stool. This is taboo. In the past, ordinary families in Thailand used to take off their shoes and sit on the floor. At the beginning of the 20th century, when western-style furniture such as sofas and chairs became popular, many people were not used to it. Although these western-style furniture have spread to every household, there are still many families or some occasions that still maintain the custom of sitting on the floor. There are two traditional sitting postures in Thailand, one is sitting posture with stools and chairs; The other is sitting on the floor.

1. Sitting posture with a seat

When there are elders or elders present, to show politeness, the younger generation should sit cross-legged with their hands folded and their upper body slightly arched. If there are supreme figures or dignitaries present, the upper body of the younger generation will bow down, so that the elbows will be placed on the thighs and the palms will overlap on the knees.

2. Sitting posture when sitting on the floor

When sitting on the floor, in order to show humility to the elders or superiors, the younger generation or subordinates have two sitting postures: kneeling and crossing their legs.

Kneeling posture: When a man sits, his legs kneel on the ground, his toes stand upright on the ground, his hips sit on his heels, his upper body is straight, and his palms are folded on his thighs.

If it is a woman, the instep sticks to the ground, and other movements are the same as those of men.

Sitting with folded legs: When sitting, your legs naturally bend to one side, either to the left or to the right. A man keeps a little distance between his knees, and his palms overlap his knees or droop naturally; Or put one hand on the ground and one hand on the thigh. When taking this sitting posture, you can also adopt different postures such as closing your legs and bending over to show respect for your elders or dignitaries. This kind of sitting posture is quiet and beautiful, and Thai people regard it as a polite sitting posture with national characteristics.

There is a sitting posture called sitting cross-legged. This is the sitting posture of a Thai monk. Sometimes, in public places, you can see some Thais sitting on the floor like this. But it is impolite to sit like this in front of elders or superiors.