some last minute details about thailand
so that i won't forget the small things
the practice of sharing..
Thai people love to share. Meals, alcohol, motorbikes, everything. A traditional thai meal involves a group of people ordering different dishes, accompanied by a big pot of rice. The dishes are shared between everyone. It’s not like in America, where everybody orders their own. The thai method of eating is probably more economical, and more fun. You get to try several different things as opposed to just one.
Alcohol is the same way. When people go out to a club or bar, the most common way of drinking is ordering a big bottle – of whiskey or beer – and a bucket of ice and cups. If you are drinking whiskey, you order a few bottles of soda water and pepsi. You set the cups out and make as many drinks as needed with the bottle and chasers. The beer is even served with ice, which may not sound too good, but it’s surprisingly better than the usual way of drinking beer. I wish this is how it was in the states. So much money would be saved if everyone went in on a certain drink and kept to that throughout the night. Also, thai people are very generous with alcohol. If you have a cup, and it is empty or near empty, they will fill it up for you and then do a round of “cheers”. Last night I was at Style and a cute little thai girl whom I didn’t know saw that my cup was empty. Moments earlier I saw her pouring herself a drink. When she saw my cup, she gave up half her drink to pour it into my cup. I know what you’re thinking.. this is not safe, to drink from a complete stranger. But like I said, I watched her make it.
Motorbikes are also shared. Families of four are seen often cruising down the street on one motorbike. The mom, the dad, a toddler, and a kid slightly older. Sometimes there is even a small dog in the bike’s basket. Usually with the toddler, they wedge him/her between the two parents so there is little chance of him/her toppling off the bike.
Thai people love plastic bags..
No purchase in Thailand is complete without a plastic bag. You could go to 711 and buy a single pack of gum, and it would be given to you in a plastic bag. The reason this is unusual is because in the states, employees hate bagging purchases. You can tell. Some won’t even do it unless if you ask. It’s not very considerate. But in Thailand, they really care. They don’t want you to have to carry several different items in your arms – they want it to be easy on you, they want you to be comfortable. I have been grateful for the plastic bags.
Straws go with sodas..
I hardly ever see a person in the states drink a can of soda with a straw. They usually put their mouth right on it and gulp it down. In Thailand, every beverage in a can is served with a straw. This includes soda, cans of coffee, and even beer. Also, bottles of water. At 711, if you buy 3 cans of something, you also get 3 straws. In a plastic bag. They have different size straws to accomodate all different sizes of drinks. I think there is more of a scare in Thailand that the can is dirty. I heard a rumor that beverage cans sit in filthy places where rats go to the bathroom. So nobody wants to touch the can. I will be drinking my cans of whatever with straws from now on (except beer, it doesn’t make any sense to me).
so that i won't forget the small things
the practice of sharing..
Thai people love to share. Meals, alcohol, motorbikes, everything. A traditional thai meal involves a group of people ordering different dishes, accompanied by a big pot of rice. The dishes are shared between everyone. It’s not like in America, where everybody orders their own. The thai method of eating is probably more economical, and more fun. You get to try several different things as opposed to just one.
Alcohol is the same way. When people go out to a club or bar, the most common way of drinking is ordering a big bottle – of whiskey or beer – and a bucket of ice and cups. If you are drinking whiskey, you order a few bottles of soda water and pepsi. You set the cups out and make as many drinks as needed with the bottle and chasers. The beer is even served with ice, which may not sound too good, but it’s surprisingly better than the usual way of drinking beer. I wish this is how it was in the states. So much money would be saved if everyone went in on a certain drink and kept to that throughout the night. Also, thai people are very generous with alcohol. If you have a cup, and it is empty or near empty, they will fill it up for you and then do a round of “cheers”. Last night I was at Style and a cute little thai girl whom I didn’t know saw that my cup was empty. Moments earlier I saw her pouring herself a drink. When she saw my cup, she gave up half her drink to pour it into my cup. I know what you’re thinking.. this is not safe, to drink from a complete stranger. But like I said, I watched her make it.
Motorbikes are also shared. Families of four are seen often cruising down the street on one motorbike. The mom, the dad, a toddler, and a kid slightly older. Sometimes there is even a small dog in the bike’s basket. Usually with the toddler, they wedge him/her between the two parents so there is little chance of him/her toppling off the bike.
Thai people love plastic bags..
No purchase in Thailand is complete without a plastic bag. You could go to 711 and buy a single pack of gum, and it would be given to you in a plastic bag. The reason this is unusual is because in the states, employees hate bagging purchases. You can tell. Some won’t even do it unless if you ask. It’s not very considerate. But in Thailand, they really care. They don’t want you to have to carry several different items in your arms – they want it to be easy on you, they want you to be comfortable. I have been grateful for the plastic bags.
Straws go with sodas..
I hardly ever see a person in the states drink a can of soda with a straw. They usually put their mouth right on it and gulp it down. In Thailand, every beverage in a can is served with a straw. This includes soda, cans of coffee, and even beer. Also, bottles of water. At 711, if you buy 3 cans of something, you also get 3 straws. In a plastic bag. They have different size straws to accomodate all different sizes of drinks. I think there is more of a scare in Thailand that the can is dirty. I heard a rumor that beverage cans sit in filthy places where rats go to the bathroom. So nobody wants to touch the can. I will be drinking my cans of whatever with straws from now on (except beer, it doesn’t make any sense to me).
posted by Buddha at 4:13 AM
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