I leave in two days. The trip has really snuck up on me. I don't quite have everything ready, but I'm getting there.

Tonight I reviewed the "rules for living in Thailand" that the Cummin's sent to me months ago. They are pretty interesting. I'll post a few of my favorites.
__________________________________________________

The Thai people like things to appear decorous and orderly, very neat in appearance and do not like behavior that suggests a lack of order or discipline.

Thais will also be outspoken about personal traits (eg – weight, physical features, etc). This is not considered rude by Thais, though it can sometimes be hard for Westerners not to take offensive.

Thai people are very tolerant, although they hold strong feelings about certain things, which we, as visitors need to be aware of. It is important in Thailand to consider how "things you might like to do" will affect others, especially when you are the foreigner.

One of the strongest of these feelings is toward the uncleanliness of feet and footwear. So it is important to know the following Thai standards.

· When entering a Thai persons house, you should always remove your shoes at the door, (even if they say that it is OK not to).

· Even when relaxing, you should be careful not to put your feet up, on anything, as this too is seen as unacceptable behavior.

· Your feet should never be pointing towards anyone or anything.

· You should never step over any person or object. If possible, move the object ‘with your hands’ or walk around it.

The Thai royal family is revered in Thailand, and must be referred to with the utmost respect. Anything with the King’s picture on it must be handled respectfully (eg – money, stamps, etc). In the movie theatres, a tribute to the King will be shown prior to the movie, during which everyone should stand.

Try to keep your head lower than those who are older or of a higher status than you. If you stand over or above such people, you will be considered to be holding yourself as more important than the other person, because your head is higher.

Westerners need to be careful with regard to hand actions and gestures, as some of our actions can be considered offensive, by their culture.

· To point to something or someone with the index or first finger is unacceptable. Pointing is done with an open hand and the fingers outstretched, palm facing downwards.

· Signaling for someone to come to you is done upside down to our normal manner, The palm facing down, fingers and wrist motioning toward yourself.

Spit/Saliva is considered “dirty”, as such it should not be used publicly for any purpose (eg: sticking stamps to letters, cleaning a spot on oneself, easing a stinging spot, putting fingers in mouth, etc).

Women traveling on any mode of transport should never sit near a monk. Men should prefer a separate seat where at all possible.

Do not throw rice away in front of Thais.


And a little something extra about greetings: The standard greeting in Thailand is known as the wai, that is the hands placed together before the face with a slight bow of the head accompanying the use of the Thai equivalent to Hello, pronounced sa-wut dee krup when spoken by men or sa-wut dee ka when spoken by women. If someone greets you by saying 'Sawadeekrup', or 'hello', and you neglect to return or acknowledge to greeting, you are seen to be ignorant, as in our culture.
__________________________________________________

So there you have it. I think the hardest things for me will be keeping my feet down. Also, I will have to stop chewing my fingernails.

I've been packing and trying to get things ready all day. I'm exhausted. Time to hit the hay. Tomorrow will be another long day of packing and getting ready and saying good bye.