“Thailand is often called “The Land of Smiles”, a sobriquet which sounds at once pleasant and mysterious. At the same time that a smile may suggest good humour, it is one of the most enigmatic of expressions as well. A smile may be a sign of kindness, of forgiveness, or friendly inclinations: a smile may also be merely polite, a way to smooth interaction or a sign that one is willing to listen. A smile may indicate agreement, or self-confidence, but may also be a means to gently express one’s opposition or doubt. A person on the defensive may smile, and one may smile when sad, or hurt, or even instulted. It has been said that the Thais have a smile for every emotion, and with so many nuances of smiling, the smile often hides more that it reveals.”
So, smile. It makes the Thais wonder what you are up to.
By Niels Mulder from the book “Inside Thai Society” www.silkwormsbooks.com
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