GreetingsCustoms

Customs and Greetings in Thailand

We are going to compare Thailand customs and greetings with Mexico customs and greetings.

In Thailand you will never hear a greeting such as “good night or good morning”; they usually greet people with one single word “Sawadee”, then they put their palms together and they bow each one toward the other; that greeting is called: WAI.

If they greet you that way, it is recommended to return the greeting of the same way. However if a staff of a hotel, a taxi driver or any other people of service greet you with WAI, isn’t good to return them the greeting because it could be a little bit intimidating for them.

Thailand is entirely filled of happiness and unconcern. “Sanuk” is a fun word, and there nothing worth in Thailand, even the work must have a “sanuk” element. It means them don´t like working. The famous Thai smile comes from the wish to make “sanuk” in all their activities.

Another aspect that we might consider in Thailand is that Thai people don’t like people who are noisy, neither people who exaggerated gestures. The exaggerated gestures have bad reputation in the country.

Something that is entirely representative of Thailand customs, are feet, in that country they are really venerate, so it is appropriate, not to step on anyone in public or point something with feet. Neither is allowed to use shoes inside someone house.

Customs and greetings in Mexico

The most important greetings in Mexico are by shaking hands. A strong and large shaking hand. Sometimes to make this greeting, people usually take forearm of someone; even they give a pat in their shoulder. But to make that greeting, people has to have a certain confidence. If people have a good relation or communication, it is possible to give each other a kiss on their cheeks or a hug. 

Among the most important regional and national holidays are those of religion. One of the most important is celebrated on December 12, day of the Virgen de Guadalupe, who according to the belief, she appeared to Juan Diego in 1531, in the Tepeyac Hill. Currently this picture is venerated at the Basilica de Guadalupe in north of Mexico.

Another festivity is the day of the dead which is celebrated on November 2; this festivity has a prehispanic origin, it coincides with other catholic celebrations like all souls day and all saints.

The celebration of the declaration of independence, is another festivity which is celebrated on September 15 in all public plazas of all country regions; dances, music, fireworks and multicolored lights place this festivity as one of the most important in Mexico.

January 6 is also a Mexican festivity; the day of the magi, or February 2, day of the Candelaria, whose tradition is that person who gets the little doll which represent God Child during the split up of the Rosca de Reyes, becomes godfather of God child so that person has to prepare tamales for everybody.

The Christmas with its inns, carols, nativities, poinsettias and piñatas, are the result of one of the most important festivities in Mexico.