Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2005 11:38 pm Post subject: Thai Language
What is gained from speaking Thai? Strange question to ask. As with every country it makes life a little easier if you know a few words and the Thai people certainly appreciate it whan a foreigner can speak a little of their language.
In any culture it is only polite to try and learn a few words of the loacl language, after all you did decide to want to live there
Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 12:14 pm Post subject: Re: Thai Language
Gandalf wrote:
What is gained from speaking Thai? Strange question to ask. As with every country it makes life a little easier if you know a few words and the Thai people certainly appreciate it whan a foreigner can speak a little of their language.
In any culture it is only polite to try and learn a few words of the loacl language, after all you did decide to want to live there
Au contraire old sage.
I don't live here, just visiting. I already speak functional Thai anyway. And it's not strange to ask this question.
There are subtle differences in the benefits (or lack thereof) of speaking the local language functionally, fluently or not at all, depending on which country you are in. Read that sentence a couple of times and think about it.
Some of the issues I refer to are dealing with dual pricing systems and being allowed to do certain things.
For example, speaking Japanese will not help reduce your taxi fare or save you a few yen on a bag of tomatoes, but you'll be able to get a general admission ticket for the sumo or enter several thousand restauarnts that are otherwise shut off to you.
I think that speaking Thai (or some Thai) helps circumvent the dual pricing system somewhat. I just wanted to hear others' take on it.
I think you just jumped on this thread without reading through it.
Posted: Mon Oct 17, 2005 1:49 pm Post subject: Thai Language
No, I think you have misunderstood my message. You asked was there any benefiet in speaking Thai. I think there is is you choose to live here. If you don't then as you say it may help to get a more reasonable price but you probably wouldn't want to learn as much Thai as people who live in the country
Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2005 10:06 am Post subject: Re: Thai Language
Gandalf wrote:
No, I think you have misunderstood my message. You asked was there any benefiet in speaking Thai. I think there is is you choose to live here. If you don't then as you say it may help to get a more reasonable price but you probably wouldn't want to learn as much Thai as people who live in the country
Gandalf, I just read your message 5 times and I'm still not sure what you mean.
I get this all the time at work. A thai will be very shy, aloof and basically avoid any comminication with me but as soon as they hear me speak thai or know that i can speak thai they become very approachable.
This is especially true when dealing with Thai women. many "doors" can be opened simply by being able to communicate using the local lingo. Just Common sense _________________ Asia Expats Forum Expat Friends Dating
Concerning learning the Thai language: I doubt seriously that you will get a bargin one way or another if you know Thai. Much depends on how you present yourself when bargining. But knowing some words may help..
Many Expats know little Thai. Partly because the Thai language is not a language of rules... which makes it easier to learn a language if you know the rules. The language only has one paragraph of rules. No articles, no present, past or future tense, no verb conjugation, plural forms or for the most part conjunctions, etc, etc.
But, I found that Thai's always respond to you favorably if you are polite and not loud or obnoxious. If they quote a price, I respond with an offer. If they say no, then I walk away... if they want a sale, they will call me back.
Concerning learning the Thai language: I doubt seriously that you will get a bargin one way or another if you know Thai. Much depends on how you present yourself when bargining. But knowing some words may help..
Many Expats know little Thai. Partly because the Thai language is not a language of rules... which makes it easier to learn a language if you know the rules. The language only has one paragraph of rules. No articles, no present, past or future tense, no verb conjugation, plural forms or for the most part conjunctions, etc, etc.
But, I found that Thai's always respond to you favorably if you are polite and not loud or obnoxious. If they quote a price, I respond with an offer. If they say no, then I walk away... if they want a sale, they will call me back.
Doug
Thanks Doug, I can see exactly what you are saying. Presentation does go a long way.
Mike wrote:
The key to bargaining is to know the market.
Spot on Michael. You gotta know where the roof and basement is at. I couldn't agree more.
Last edited by Hewer on Wed Jan 18, 2006 2:08 pm; edited 1 time in total
Actually I couldn't imagine not speaking fluent Chinese. I bargain everyday just so I don't give the ignorant American impression to the people I'm with. Where I'm at, it is commonplace to barter down. If I approach a counter and appear knowledgeable of the market price, they in turn [most of the time] respond respectfully. If it's an item I'm not sure about I'll check a few places first before buying. That's just how I roll.
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