Ah, the 3 words we all know too well. The snotty, cheaky, in your face Thai mantra. It use to drive me a little batty when I would hear this phrase. Again and again I would hear it. Once in a while, it was in the spirit of kindness and hospitality, but more often than not, it is said with an 'in your face' kind of attitude. Now I find myself using it in response, but with a little added twist; "up to ME" I smile, up to ME".
The idea, I discovered is to just not give a da@#! It is important, and wise, to be responsible and compassionate to those around you, but it is vital not to take anything too seriously, especially here. I often see things, and hear things, that challenge my western Idealistic way of percieving the world. From my perspective, many of the common day to day ways of doing business and interacting with others is downright wrong, unethical, and immoral. What I am learning though, is that I constantly apply my own cultural values to a society that doesn't care. It is not only futile and a waste of time and energy, but it causes conflict and tension where there need not be any. An important part of living or even visiting another culture is learning about and adapting to that culture, not expecting them to adapt to the ideas I hold in my head. Who is right? It doesn't matter. Thats what I said, it doesn't matter. They think they are right, I think I am right. So now, when I see an 'interesting' action or activity by a local, I often shrug my shoulders and quietly think to myself up to him!
I find, that once I start to be a little more open minded, I slowly start to see advantages and good points to the Asian or Thai way doing things. I will never completely agree, but I can see how I have made more problems for myself in the past by wanting to expose something or someone when I would have been better off just letting it go and walking away. For instance, I often worship this concept of "Truth" and seek to uncover it and voice it when sometimes its better left unsaid. There needs to be a balance, both cultures have some advantages and disadvantages. It is only when we cling so tightly to either one, that we find ourselves going astray. So, you can either spend your time wandering around mumbling to yourself how screwed up things are here, or you can spend that same time and energy focusing on good things and enjoy the diversity, the choice my friend, is UP TO YOU!
Untitled Document
Belly up to BajaThe Mexican food at Los Cabos is as authentic as the venerable Siamese house that the restaurant occupies
The serpent stays elusiveAn ambitious effort to document every detail about the Lao naga ends up as murky as the Mekong
Perfect pairingsA new coffee table book recommends the best wines to sip with Asian menus
Chaturon sings of the futureChaturon Chaisang, who once led the Thai Rak Thai Party, was banned from politics but still regards himself as a politician, albeit one of diminished influence. While he's waiting out his five-year exile from Voter Land, he's learning Chinese and has written a book and recorded an album - and he's still bored! So we hit him with some twit.
Feeding your pets - rice or no rice?It's not just humans who suffer from obesity; all too often, animals are being overfed by well-meaning owners
Victory for the VicThe Fringe Festival demonstrated how promising the future is for the Hua Hin venue - even without state funding
Tiesto like no otherNot to keen on the word 'trance, the DJ - in town tonight - reckons he's unique enough for his own genre
Dance and moreVisual theatre and variety top the bill at the 10th international festival moves to CentralWorld
The trouble with churchesAnne Hathaway's break with the Vatican was just one public tip of an iceberg
In the shadow of BuddhismAfter three years of discussion, a dark drama featuring fake gun-toting monks finally comes to Thai cinemas
Greater accuracy, lower costsSiriraj is ready to saves more lives by coming up with a local alternative to the pap smear at a price most can afford
Rolling in the aislesComics Benjaphol Golf Choeyarun and Yanee Chongwisut take to the stage of Royal Paragon Hall on March 20 at 2 and 8pm for the show Golf Mike Took.
Meet the MaharajaThe Indian Cultural Centre is screening the rare documentary The Maharaja of Jodhpur on February 27 at 2pm at its headquarters in the Jasmine City Tower on Sukhumvit Soi 23.
Soft landing in SeoulThe South Korean capital mingles affection for the past with flash-future architecture
Homage to HydraNew music label Revol Music Creation debuts with "The Famous Five Concert", a tribute to popular duo Hydra, at Hua Mark Indoor Stadium on March 13.
Little changes go a long wayThe Nissan Tiida minor change comes with little changes to the exterior and interior, that make a more likable car all over.
Little changes go a long wayThe Nissan Tiida minor change comes with little changes to the exterior and interior, that make a more likable car all over.
Little changes go a long wayThe Nissan Tiida minor change comes with little changes to the exterior and interior, that make a more likable car all over.
Little changes go a long wayThe Nissan Tiida minor change comes with little changes to the exterior and interior, that make a more likable car all over.
Little changes go a long wayThe Nissan Tiida minor change comes with little changes to the exterior and interior, that make a more likable car all over.
