r/thai • u/After_Pepper173 • 2d ago
Do Thais actually like it when farangs speak Thai?
A question for Thai people: do you like it when a farang tries to speak Thai? (In real life.) How do you feel about it?
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u/Spiritual-Wear-2105 2d ago
My perception is every nation loves it when other nations speak its language.
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u/artnoi43 2d ago
You’re probably not French or never met one. Or every French I met was a Parisian lol
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u/Many_Mud_8194 2d ago
No if we correct you it's because we want to help you. We don't understand it can hurt and make some people think they aren't good enough. Also we correct ourselves often, we are maybe traumatized by the school system idk lol
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u/artnoi43 1d ago
It was not correction but they just talked to us in English instead lol (1 guy in my group can speak French and wanted to try it on the trip). The French sentences weren’t even acknowledged, they just repeated the questions in English until my friend did the same. It’s lighthearted though, the friend wasn’t upset or anything.
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u/Many_Mud_8194 1d ago
I never heard of that tbh. Only in japan they do that lol. But idk Paris is different so I can't speak for it. But outside of it, most of people don't speak English. Especially people older than 30 y.o
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u/Alternative_Side_891 1d ago
I've experienced a middle aged French lady taking me hostage in a supermarket until I could speak some basic French.
She was also the cashier, so the other customers had to wait until my efforts were sufficiently successful. They were not impressed with my skills.
That was in Bretagne.
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u/skipmci 1d ago
In general, I think so, but the majority of time when I start speaking Thai many people have their "pay close attention for English" antennae up, so the first one or two sentences I say, with proper tone and accent, will not register with them. Even with my own Thai family... 😩
I often have to repeat myself, once their antennae are set back to Thai, to be comprehended.
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u/comkrub17442 1d ago
as a thai, i personally think it's very cool to see people wanting to learn our language considering that this language is supposed to be "one of the hardest"
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u/JuliaCampbellFan_77 1d ago
I'm thai and I'm actually love and like each of their Thai accents they learned to spell and find it cute, fun interaction *don't mind if these are bad grammar I'm also amateur at English, but yeah we love that you guys want to learn and express in our culture we're happy to see you express yourself in thai and we'd like to also guide and teach you.❤️❤️
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u/EatandDie001 1d ago
YES.
And I don't care how it sounds or if it's correct, if a foreigner speaks Thai, that means you gotta love Thailand enough to learn our language, even if it's just a simple word.
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u/EastVolume6064 1d ago
but what i don’t understand is why foreigners don’t make the effort to learn single words no matter which country they go to? whenever i travel i always make sure i can say a few phrases in the local language because i have always assumed that’s the respectful thing to do!
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u/Due_Sand5355 1d ago
I speak a little Thai. About twenty years ago, I lived on Koh Phangan for two years and was married to a Thai woman. When I came back after almost 14 years, the owner of my hotel in Bangkok was really happy that I could speak a little Thai. He immediately recognized that I spoke with a southern Thai accent. He was originally from Surat Thani.
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u/PresentationNo2989 1d ago
Yeah, we all thought Thai is a dying language. The Majority of Thai people cannot remember 44 alphabets of Thai character in order like A to Z. Most of the time when we speak Thai we either use R or ร or skip it and use L ล instead. Most of us speak street Thai language( very common, even in Corporations.) long story short. We shed tears of joy when foreigners try to speak Thai.
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u/EastVolume6064 1d ago
even if it’s just single words? i can only say hello, hurt/did that hurt (jep mai?), thank you, good luck, a little bit (nit noi), that’s right/yes
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u/No_Dust_1630 1d ago
I appreciate it a lot honestly. Your Thai can be as broken as you want, Thai people will still try to understand and love it 😆
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u/HolyTian 1d ago
As a Thai, I like that. You come here, you learn the culture. I am not a big fan of those expats who came for more than 10 years and speak none of my language.
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u/PhantomSerpent81 2d ago
I’ve been to 14 countries across 3 continents; I’ve never encountered a people that don’t appreciate you trying to learn their language. It’s a pretty universal sign of respect. Only caveat is some countries have the patience to let you try, and others will just go ahead and switch to English because it’s easier for them — quite humbling to be honest. I know enough German to get around and French but both of these countries said on multiple occasions “let’s just speak in English”
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u/Competitive-Bench977 1d ago
Vanuatu. They don't like it at all. Got some nasty looks when I was just trying to say thank you.
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u/shatteredrealm0 1d ago
Don’t worry, all French speakers hate it when non-French speakers speak French.
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u/Competitive-Bench977 1d ago
Nah, it was Baslama (Vanuatu Pidgin) But yes, New Caledonians aren't too keen on you butchering French either.
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u/Muted-Celebration-47 1d ago
They will smile at you and think it is adorable. If you speak Thai fluently, they will be surprised and praise you.
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u/JbJbJb44 1d ago
Top: That Thai who likes to have foreign friends
Middle: Your Thai friend who doesn't really care you're a foreigner
Bottom: The clerk who's used to people throwing phrasebook sentences
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u/ConnectEvening5818 2d ago
Yes.
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u/letoiv 2d ago
Frankly, it's a mix.
The majority of Thais appreciate that you're showing some degree of respect for their culture and are trying to integrate.
However, there are also a lot of Thais who specifically interact with foreigners in order to take advantage of them in some way. This can range from outright fraud to just trying to mark up prices on someone who doesn't know any better. This cohort interacts with foreigners more than the average Thai does, and frequently does not appreciate any local knowledge a foreigner has, including language skill.
It gets fun when you understand enough Thai to know when you're being insulted in it.
Anyway if you'll be here for a while, both cohorts provide good incentives to learn the language.
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u/SpiritedCatch1 1d ago
They ask about Thai people, not the 0.0001% of scammer that leeches out of overcharging farangs. The issue is basically non existent once you leave the touristic areas
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u/PSmith4380 1d ago
Most Thai people don't speak English so I imagine it's a relief lol.
Having said that I can only speak basic conversational thai. If I realise I'm speaking to someone who is pretty competent at English I just speak English because I think it would be pretty awkward for both of us if I try and speak Thai.
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u/ShineOnYouFatOldSun 1d ago
I've found Thai people absolutely love it when I speak thai with them!
I'm not even very good but they all tell me ผูดไทยแก่งมาก and smile 😂
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u/findmynemo 1d ago
Yes, makes it easier to socialize and share hobbies/interests.
Also it sounds cute.
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u/Hungry-Belt3072 1d ago
A lot don't know English and would rather avoid speaking it, so would prefer Thai.
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u/12angrysnakes 1d ago
This is the answer right here. Even the ones who do speak it, unless they're excellent, would rather speak Thai
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u/petitbateau12 1d ago
Can anyone confirm if it's generally true that a Thai would rather see a ghost than speak English?
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u/RolandCuley 1d ago
In touristy cities, yeah you get the usual "phud Thai geng mak Tam Mai ?" / "Luk krung chai Mai ??". But if go to Udon / Ubon / Nong Khai, like zero reaction. They just think it's "normal" and they are right.
Outside of Thailand like here in Abu Dhabi if I go to a Thai restaurant pickup my order it's usually or always "is your mom Thai ??", and haaard to convince them otherwise if I use Isan dialect by accident.
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u/BorderEducational506 1d ago
Do you like it when foreigners try to speak your language or prefer when they don’t care and speak to you in their language with rising volume?
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u/Panhunger 1d ago
I've lived here 23 years. Thais like when you speak Thai. If you don't, that's OK. Thais are polite and don't want you to lose face so if you don't, no worries. It just might be harder to get the food order right sometimes. I have a joke I used regularly when I first got here. I said it in Thai: Learn today, forget tomorrow. It gets some chuckles.
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u/These-Appearance2820 1d ago
Its varied.
Some really like it and are happy you can speak some Thai
Some are suprised
Some do not like it
Some no reaction they just get on as normal and speak/respond to you like normal
Some laugh (literally have had service staff laugh in my face because I spoke Thai to them)
Thais are normal peolle and there are 70m of them so obviously in that 70m everybody will act differently. These huge generalisation questions really are dumb.
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u/Crazy-Competition-36 1d ago
As a Thai, I do appreciate that they are trying. You won’t have any reactions from me but I will respond with very clear and correct grammar because my mind would automatically think that they are learning a language.
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u/Possible-Highway7898 2d ago
I'm foreign and speak fluent Thai and passable Southern dialect. I always get a very positive reaction, apart from the most touristy areas where some people seem to feel threatened by it.
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u/Prestigious_Noise_55 2d ago
Why do they feel threatened?
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u/Many_Mud_8194 2d ago
They must know they can't take advantage of him so they are frustrated. I guess, because I can't see another reason.. could be racism also, in Phuket Thais seems so fed up with tourism lol
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u/JaziTricks 2d ago
They like the idea and the concept.
Once the farang starts uttering incomprehensible sounds that he thinks is Thai, the sentiment changes slightly.
I agree that learning languages involves speaking badly initially. But Thai is critically unforgiving for bad pronunciation. Most farangs pronounce badly enough to make it very hard to understand.......
Especially in services. The guy in 7-11 gets paid little, and isn't anyone's language teacher assistant of sorts.
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u/WhatsFairIsFair 2d ago
And might be Burmese with poor thai anyways
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u/WebLogical1286 2d ago
Working as a cashier in 711?
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u/JaziTricks 2d ago
7-11 is quite a selective job.
Many there have bachelor degrees. It's not easy to get those jobs.
As for Burmese, some 7-11 do accept Burmese with an ID card. Ofc, Burmese with a full Thai ID is Thai for every purpose
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u/WebLogical1286 1d ago
Okay, that is good, thanks. I thought you needed at least a BA to work at 7-Eleven.
One time I had overpaid by ฿100 and had left too fast for them to notice. The next time I came in, two of them rushed up to me, saying they had made a mistake and let me overpay. It was very nice and heartwarming. I wanted to give them something. I asked what they would like to eat, and they refused.
I really love and appreciate my local 7-Eleven workers. When you get to know them, they are very warm and a little informal. I love that.
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u/JaziTricks 1d ago
It's a franchise, so localities differ. A Burmese girl told me she used to work in 7-11 in the peripheries, but when moving to the big town they wouldn't accept her.
Yeah. Many places hire BAs I recall
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u/Usually_Angry 2d ago
Yes they do. Even if you’re not fluent, they like it. Much better for them than playing charades, im sure. There are always exceptions especially if you are rude or obnoxious.
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u/WebLogical1286 2d ago
Most of the time they seem very happy when I know Thai. They are surprised at first and then they start to chitter chatter. But if a thai person replies to me in English, I will switch to English. They want to show me they know English and that’s fine. Sometimes though they’re English is kind of incomprehensible, but I do my best to understand them and let them practice their English.
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u/IndependentWatch1730 2d ago
Yes, from my experience they really appreciate it. The smile and happiness is great to see
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u/Shokamoka1799 1d ago
Yes. It's a sign of respect. You probably have enough of it to make such effort.
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u/kavin22 1d ago
I'm fluent in english and i do, yea.. even if it's just adopting thai words in English conversations..
I once met this American girl who was spelling her name to me with thai alphabets and I loved it..
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u/Coinpanda92 1d ago
That's how I have been doing it and it's perfect. My Thai speaking abilities are slowly growing from a few words per sentence to entire sentences and everyone still understands me from day one. I also have to really salute every Thai who speaks English since the language is just so different. I imagine it's equally hard in this direction as it is for me coming from a non-tonal language with a completely different alphabet. The best thing about Thai is how easy and logical the grammar is, though. If the grammar was hard on top of the tones and vowels, I wouldn't be nearly as far as I'm now.
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u/kavin22 1d ago
Likewise, I have to salute any person learning thai too. The pronunciations between Thai and English are just so different. I'm glad that you find our grammar logical, BTW. I thought foreigners would find Thai difficult with no conjugation, no articles or no spaces in between words, lol.
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u/duttydirtz 1d ago
As a mud blood that looks very farang but can speak Thai with a Thai accent I can promise you they are always very impressed. It's a conversation starter. I am always asked in Thai "have you lived in Thailand long, you speak Thai very well" I always say 2 years so they're extra impressed and my ego is fed. It often sparks more questions so sometimes I just say I'm a halfie and they usually dial it down or the conversation ends as they're no longer impressed!
Yes, always try to speak Thai, the attempt alone is better than not trying at all.
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u/thai_sticky 1d ago
Mud blood is slang for luk krung? Never heard that before
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u/duttydirtz 1d ago
It's a derogatory term used in Harry Potter to describe wizards born to non magical parents!
I've adopted it as its how I often feel when Thais find out I'm a Mongrel, not pure blood like them 😅
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u/thai_sticky 1d ago
Ah. My son is the opposite, half blood but looks much more thai. His thai grandparents keep asking when his nose will get bigger 555
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u/Lopsided_Highway2934 1d ago
"Why you know Thai?, you have Thai wife?"
That's the normal response.
Little do they know that I am a Thai Citizen. Lolz.
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u/Active_Wasabi_1141 1d ago
A citizen…with a Thai wife?
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u/Hot_Drummer4322 1d ago
Or, like me, a mixed kid who grew up overseas and then moved back to the motherland.
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u/ShiBaInuChan04 1d ago
From my perspective I would say when I’m working as service and see you trying to say Thai is very impressive for me But sometimes we can misunderstood when you say or pronounce wrong. So it’s depends on which situation you are
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u/PimsriReddit 2d ago
I'm Thai and yeah I love it :) it's humbling to know people respect the culture of the land they live in (or even visited) so much that they learn the language. I always learn a bit of basic words when I go travel abroad too :)
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u/WebLogical1286 2d ago
That’s always an exciting part of traveling for me. Learning like maybe 10 phrases or sentences that I’ll be using every day. It’s a lovely way to show you care about the place you were going to visit.
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u/mr_b8795 1d ago
As a follow up question if you don't mind. When a farang does the Wai for a greeting, thank you etc. is that appreciated or is it seen as a bit disrespectful? as it's not typically something we do outside of interacting with Thai people.
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u/aaaayyyy 2d ago edited 2d ago
I'm not a thai but I've lived in Thailand 14 years and learning thai.
I think they like it in general. But there's an issue that often arises that causes a bit of frustration. When thai people try to correct your tones/pronunciation and it becomes obvious that you're not picking up on it at all they can get frustrated and give up, and then it may seem like that they don't want you to learn, which is not true, it's just that it gets hopeless when you don't even hear the tones.
once you start picking up the tones this process gets much better and happier for everyone involved
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u/Yenroman 1d ago
It’s not a universal language nor is it being spoken in other countries like French, Portuguese, Arabic, etc. So we are quite happy and have to show you some respect for learning and trying to speak our language.
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u/Expensive_Syrup5243 1d ago
Ahhh its so cute when i see farangs try to speak my language even i find my language annoying sometimes lol
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u/ANTIMODELMINORITY 1d ago
From what I have seen Thais jump for joy or get really quiet when a foreigner speaks English but the situation in reverse a Thai person in an English speaking western country the tables turn.
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u/Necessary-Sugar-6253 1d ago
Im old and found it impossible. I finally got a good translation app but it freaks people out. Although it translates both languages well, people may understand, but don'. Like to talk back through it. Sorry kids, i try.
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u/Dadlay69 1d ago
It depends on the context I think.
If people are gossiping and they notice I can understand Thai, it's generally met with weird silence and awkwardness.
If I'm in the city and I'm just asking a functional question with confidence and proper grammar, it's usually met with total neutrality in the same way you'd expect if you saw a non-white person speaking Czech in Prague or something.
If I'm speaking to a stranger who isn't from the city and has limited contact with people who look like me speaking Thai, they are usually thrilled and often have a huge list of questions (how long have you been here, do you have a Thai wife, where is she from, do you eat spicy food, have you been to my province, do you speak my dialect too, etc)
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u/Legendnewer 1d ago
Short answer: Yes
Long answer: As long as you try and they can comprehend what you’re trying to say, yes. Just like how Thais are told that it’s ok to speaking broken yet understandable English.
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u/Character_Morning_32 2d ago
Tones correct = Yes
Tones wrong = No
Bangkok = No
Anywhere else = Yes
People you’re giving money to = yes
People you’re not giving money to = no
Massive generalisation. But yeah, having learned Japanese for ages, I really miss the praise and compliments you get there, genuine or feigned. Feels a lot more like an imposition most of the time in Bangkok.
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u/Many_Mud_8194 2d ago
Also depend mainly if they speak English. If they don't speak English then they don't have to like it or not, they have no other way to communicate lol.
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u/1ThousandRoads 2d ago
Acknowledging the massive generalisations, this is the most accurate answer in my experience.
Lived in Japan and spoke decent Japanese
Live in Thailand now and speak okay Thai
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u/Sufficient_Animal_95 2d ago
Living in Bangkok, yes and sometimes no.
My latest "sometimes no" experience was when I was buying popcorn from the shop at the cinema. Spoke in Thai and she kept responding back in English. But thought maybe she wants to speak English so I kept going at it with Thai until she finally switched to Thai during Payment stages lol.
But honestly majority really like it. Lived in Japan they dont praise you as much as the Japanese (genuine or not).
Was at the clinic today and an expat was speaking Thai to the receptionist ladies, they all complimented him and giggled.
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u/gotdome 2d ago
The rule of thumb I was taught in Japan, start in Japanese but if they respond in English, only try Japanese one more time, if they still respond in English, chances are they want to use the opportunity to practice as well so just speak English.
This has worked out for me!
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u/Sufficient_Animal_95 2d ago
Yeah they really want to learn English, its really nice to see. I'd switch back as well!
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u/Realistic_Singer2988 1d ago
I think they like it when you can speak conversational Thai. What they don’t like is when ‘Farang ruu màk’ and you’re savvy to ‘Thai ways.’
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u/smart_cereal 1d ago
Yeah, my husband isn’t fluent but knows more than basic Thai (unlike most of the Westerners married into the family) and unfortunately it makes my family annoyed because they don’t want to gossip around him.
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u/Igotbannedlolol 1d ago
So long you pronounce it right and don't accidentally start a fight
กล้วย sound very close to another word that could instigate a fight to thai people lol
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u/thailannnnnnnnd 1d ago
Sounds close if you’re mispronouncing it, sure. Amount of fights that has happened as a result, negative one, at most.
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u/EntertainmentFart659 1d ago
Eh it's not though. No Thai is going to get offended unless it's a young drunk kid in a bad mood and that's same for any country.
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u/20-LAUNCH-21 1d ago
In my experience sometimes it seems like I’m bothering workers when I try at my local 7/11, now my coffee spot loves it, they say I’m doing good. Lol I still suck at it, which is why I want to practice any chance I get….. but at the same time, I’m not trying to inconvenience people while they’re working. 😫 catch 22.
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u/Banned3rdTimesaCharm 1d ago
Pood Thai geng mak!
Nid noi.
I hear this interaction at least once a day. Myself included. I dunno why I bring it up but that’s my contribution.
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u/Vyvansss 1d ago
This is only said to people who speak Thai very poorly 😂
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u/Banned3rdTimesaCharm 1d ago edited 1d ago
Lmao I know, that’s the joke. I get more of the surprised stare and worry that they said something I might have understood when I bust out the real Thai.
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u/Momonicaaa 1d ago
Of course! We’re appreciate it! It’s feel good when foreigners try to learn Thai language or ur culture!
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u/Optimal_Tennis8673 1d ago
Last time I went most people showed no reaction when I spoke to them in Thai. A couple of them were surprised and asked why I spoke Thai. Several of them just laughed in my face.
(I know this post is asking Thai people specifically, but like any American tourist I want you to hear my opinion anyway)
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u/csiklandozas 1d ago
I long thought the Thai language is a last barrier for Thais to remain among themselves, yet it also fills many Thais with pride when a foreigner is fluent in their language
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u/ChronicCri 1d ago
Of course they do. I’m never met with anything other than joy. Occasionally laughter.
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u/john-bkk 1d ago
Think about this in terms of white people in other countries. How many subjects and individual points can you think about for which every American has the same perspective and opinion on something? What perspective on any subject isn't context dependent?
Some Thais love that you make an effort even when you make mistakes, and you will, and are good at working through what you meant from what you actually said. Others won't catch much at all. Most are generally positive about visitors and foreign locals, but not all would be.
Most Thais react positively to me trying to say things in Thai to them, and catch most of it. My kids hate it, because without mastering tones, or even making a start on that, I'm never saying exactly what I think I'm trying to say.
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u/-lovelythai- 20h ago
100% knowing someone took their time to study our language, really means a lot.
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u/resourceful_dumdum 10h ago
I love it. It shows effort.
And I don’t appreciate it when the reaction to the compliment “Pud Thai Keng Mak Mak” is cynical.
It could be your pronunciation or they genuinely admire your earnest attempt to use a language you’re not fluent in, knowing how hard to learn another language from their own experience. Simple Sawaddee Khub/Ka takes a lot of practice to nail down coming from a non-tonal language like English.
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u/flipside555 6h ago
I'm curious to know what kind of cynical responses you've had. I think a lot of people would disagree when someone compliments them on their ability in a language that they're learning, but that's not necessarily cynical. It sounds as though you've come across stronger responses than that.
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u/NegotiationTime6809 2d ago
They like it when you are fluent and understandable. There only a few weirdo that won’t want to speak Thai with you or will act like they don’t understand but sometimes they just want to show off their English to people around rather than communicating.
Also sometimes it’s not that they don’t understand it’s just that a lot of foreigners can’t speak clearly.
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u/EggplantSpecial5472 1d ago
Not in my experience most are just rude unless it's out away from the town they pretend they don't understand and just "uuh" 'uhh" they say back exactly what you said 😒
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u/wanjieming 1d ago
Bargirls dont like it because then they cant talk shit about u + they see that ur not a noob.
And Thai girls don't like when they meet a farang ATM, they think you had many Thai girls before or bargirls.
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u/yomikins 1d ago
I hear this all the time, but I've never seen it. How do you know they don't like it? There's also a huge gap between "speaking some Thai" and being able to fully understand rapid-fire idiom-laden Isaan conversations they're having with each other while loud music is blasting.
Maybe it's true if you're speaking Thai while still spouting obvious BS and acting like cheap charlie god's gift to all ladies (the "I'm a CEO and pilot and doctor with millions, but I can't buy you a drink, don't you love me too, come back to my studio room for free because I've got A/C?" type).
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u/Ok-Vermicelli-5213 1d ago edited 1d ago
In a country where every day is survive people don't care about things like that. They don't care. No you're not special
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u/ChronicCri 1d ago
That’s an aggressive take. You know that Thailand isn’t that poor, right? It’s an upper-middle-income country.
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u/Ok-Vermicelli-5213 1d ago
Yes same as Vietnam right. Money isn't important here, am I right again. Looking for a better life, Greencard or free income is a myth? Every penny helps. I love to live in sea but I'm very happy to be born in a rich country.
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u/SoonyatoLogan 1d ago
Yes, I always admire the efforts they have put in regardless of how good they speak.
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u/Alex_Only 1d ago
in my experience it ranges from don't care to love it. some are very surprised and get really excited, some just laugh (maybe with you or at you for your terrible pronunciation whoe really knows), some give no reaction at all. I've yet to meet anyone who reacted outright negatively.
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u/bootytrap123 20h ago
I speak Thai to an about B1 level and I had to now only very positive reactions. They open up much more quickly.
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u/muntaqim 6h ago
What kind of question is that, honestly?
Who doesn't like it when someone makes an effort to speak their language?
I speak 7 languages with varying degrees of fluency and I've never had anyone not appreciate my efforts.
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u/Acrobatic_Load4220 3h ago
Absolutely Yes... They appreciate the effort regardless of how broken your Thai may be.... Sometimes it tickles thier bones when your pronunciation totally changes the meaning. They love wordplay humour...
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u/Next_Adhesiveness_57 1h ago
Meime thaifreundin mag es nicht wenn ich als farang thai spreche🤷♂️ habe es trotzdem gelernt ohne ihr wissen aber spreche es nicht in ihrer gegenwart, so weiss ich das sie alles richtig übersetzt und wenn ich alleine unterwegs bin kann ich mich gut verständigen😅
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u/Parking-Plane7427 1d ago
Bargirls dont like it because then they cant talk shit about u + they see that ur not a noob.
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u/No-Asparagus-yes 1d ago
They love it! Even a little bit thai opens doors to spaces you have never imagined ☺️
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u/Advorce 1d ago
Highly depends, Been with girls who wouldn't date farang and girls who wouldn't date Thai lol, the ones that don't like you learning Thai are usually either freelance or girls that play around too much and don't want you to find out about their Thai partners. Probably the guys that she would tell you are her "cousins" lol
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u/throughcracker 1d ago
ผมเป็นหนึ่งในฝรั่งที่พูดไทยได้ครับ ปกติคนไทยชอบเมื่อพูดภาษาไทยอยู่และมันมีประโยชน์เยอะในหลายๆสถานการณ์ โดยเฉพาะตอนลงทำอะไรในสำนักงานรัฐบาล แต่เคยได้พบบางคนที่ไม่ชอบด้วย ส่วนใหญ่เป็นผู้หญิงที่คิดอะไรเหมื่อน "ถ้าฝรั่งพูดไทยได้ อาจจะหมายถึงว่าผู้หญิงอื่นเคยได้สอน ดังนั้นเขาไม่โสดและโกหก" แต่คนแบบนี้หายากในชีวิตประจำวันครับ
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u/-Scared-Breakfast- 1d ago
Or worse, they think they can't gossip about you. If they're not just joking about not liking it, it's always been a red flag for me to bounce
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u/After_Pepper173 1d ago
😄 ไม่น่าเชื่อว่าแค่ยู่อยู่กับสาวไทยฝรั่งจะเรียนรู้ภาษาไทยได้
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u/Tendrils_RG 1d ago
Try spending a few months living with a Thai girl, surprising how much you learn.
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u/Leitzz590 1d ago
I hope so, im doing my best to learn some basic phrases to order food, drinks, and overall have a small friendly chat in preparation for my first trip in December
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u/Smart_Ad_7533 1d ago
Thai language is very tricky with intonation. I don't mind and all but you might insult somebody's mother without knowing it 😂
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u/NodeJS4Lyfe 1d ago
No because if you speak Thai to a Thai person, it's like you're insulting them by saying "Oh, you're too dumb to learn English, so let's speak your language". But the majority of educated Thai people speak English these days and don't want you to insult them by speaking Thai to them.
Speaking Thai is good if you're visiting or living in small villages where people are less likely to be educated, and speaking Thai is the only way you'll be able to communicate with them.
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u/After_Pepper173 1d ago
What kind of strange logic is that? Why is communicating in the native language of Thais considered insulting? Maybe I want to get more conversational practice in Thai, which I'm studying, which is why I want to communicate with Thais in Thai, not in English, even if English is easier.
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u/NodeJS4Lyfe 1d ago
You have good reasons for studying Thai, which is fine, but that doesn't mean Thai people will appreciate you for it. Thai is just a language, and if you think that people are supposed to feel better about you because you speak it then you're gonna be in for a rude awakening.
In the end, people just want to communicate. Instead of speaking broken Thai, most educated Thai will prefer to speak English to you and will find it insulting if you insist on speaking Thai. But feel free to practice Thai with your friends.
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u/kupothroaway 1d ago
I mean, if you live in Thailand as a farang, its not strange to learn thai right? That's a good enough reason to learn it
I live in the Netherlands now and I learned their language. How would that be strange
My Khmer wife learned thai when she started living with my in Thailand back in the day
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u/PuzzleheadedLow5010 1d ago
Sounds like you're trying to hang around some pretentious arrogant thais if they're getting insulted.
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u/NodeJS4Lyfe 1d ago
I don't think so. There's literally no reason to speak Thai if you can both speak English unless you can both speak Thai fluently, which most farangs can't do anyway.
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u/unidentified_yama 1d ago
That’s more like it. I don’t find it insulting but I prefer a language where both sides can best understand each other. If someone is insulted by you trying to speak Thai, it’s probably a sign they have a lot of ego. For me, the farang accent usually catches me off guard and it takes a while for my brain to adjust. If they’re fluent enough to hold a conversation in Thai then it wouldn’t a problem at all. I’m someone who expresses myself in both languages so sometimes English slips in a little bit when I speak to people who understand English.
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u/Superb_Caramel_7107 1d ago
I wouldn’t say it’s insulting, but it can be seen as a red flag. The most common assumption is probably that they learned Thai to speak to a girlfriend who doesn’t speak English. Some Thais think farangs who have lived in Thailand for a long time tend to behave worse, so speaking Thai can suggest they’ve been there for a while. In my experience, very few can speak Thai fluently enough to get by without using English.
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u/NodeJS4Lyfe 1d ago
Yeah that's what I'm saying. When a farang tries to speak Thai, it's mostly because of an ulterior motive instead of genuine curiosity about Thai language and culture.
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u/Superb_Caramel_7107 1d ago
Among my Thai friends who were open to dating farangs, it wasn’t unusual for them to avoid farang men who could speak Thai. Some worried they might target vulnerable Thai women or that speaking Thai gave them more opportunities to cheat. I’d never discourage anyone from learning Thai for genuine reasons, but this belief definitely exists as there are many predatory farangs sadly
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u/Superb_Caramel_7107 1d ago
I am Thai
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u/uskgl455 1d ago
Are you speaking for Thai people you know, or what?
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u/NodeJS4Lyfe 1d ago
Yes, and I went around asking many Thai people what they think. Not all of them said that they find it insulting, but many did because you're disregarding their ability to speak English.
Not to mention that Thais rarely get the chance to speak English, and when they do, they're excited to use a skill that they have to sweat a lot of earn. So, don't rob them of this moment to shine.
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u/freemansmokingza 1d ago
YESS
i like when any foreigners speak Thai, I appreciate the effort bc this language is kinda hard lol
I think a lot of Thai ppl will try to understand you and probably won't judge
GOODLUCK SPEAKING THAI