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Originally Posted by JayBee
If you think that these customs are from a bygone day, then I think that you don't understand Thai society. Among the BGs, things are a lot looser, because they share the same status, they are in the same boat. And in dealing with farangs, they get used to suspending normal social custom for our sake(and theirs).
JayBee 
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Hmm, not sure how to read that Jaybee.
It seems to me, reading the whole thread, that these rules may apply more to a formal work situation, or maybe a big and formal family gathering. This could well explain why I have never, and will never, encounter this sort of thinking.
It looks like anything which has a structure, or food chain, has these little social niceties that must be observed. I do understand it to an extent, the foot\head thing (the hair on the top of my head is lower than the soles of your feet) but I don't like it. Maybe I avoid it?
I believe that I understand reasonably well the social structure in the places I have been. Had I made any serious social gaffes then I would have had them pointed out to me. I honestly do not believe that these rules apply in the boonies; they know how pretentious they would look by standing on ceremony and getting uptight because the guy who is paying the bill said 'hello' to the wrong person first.
I do take the point; in certain circumstances there is a social order which must be followed. My point is this: in the circles I have moved, those social niceties are not relevant. I believe that there are far more regular folk in Thailand than there are movers and shakers. These are the people with whom I am comfortable.
You can keep your 'hi-so' girls and the guys who will eat in 20baht noodle shops all month in order to drive a BMW. It's just not what I seek in people and, rightly or wrongly, it's not what I perceive as the real Thailand.
