Thai banter - is the same as UK banter?

[Vital Spark]

This is not so much a question about the language per se, but the banter that Thais have with friends.

Let me explain: I normally have my hair tied back in a pony tail, because I haven't got the time or inclination to do anything else with it. Occasionally, when I do have the time, I have it loose. Comments from fellow farang colleagues are usually complimentary. My Thai colleagues, however, say 'What's wrong with your hair?' (in English). I don't know quite how to reply .

I spoke to one Thai colleague (who's a bit more switched on) and he said that Thais say that kind of thing when someone does something different with their hair. He said that it was friendly banter. 'What about saying something like: 'You look lovely today' or 'Your hair looks great'' I asked. 'No, we don't normally give compliments to friends', was the reply. I got the same response after I'd put on a kilo or two during the summer holidays. One student asked if I was pregnant, and a couple told me I was fat! At around 54kgs I thought it was a tad unnecessary.

I've come across this often with Thais. They don't do compliments. We have a Thai friend in Bangkok who introduced his 8 year old daughter saying 'This is my daughter, she's fat and useless at English'. I guess she was lucky that she didn't know what he was saying...

Do you get compliments from Thais? Apart from 'You handsome man'

VS
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[Randy Cornhole]

I lost about 15kgs once (through cycling) and was told that I looked suai! Took it with a pinch of salt though....
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[johnnyk]

I think they are a bit like Brits in that if you are comfortable with each other you can take the piss. Its something I enjoy but here in Canada its not well understood and people take offense, we're only supposed to be "nice".
Thais are very bawdy as well, at least in my GF's village they are.
A village lady asked my GF if falangs were big "everywhere". I said, "Give me 50 baht and I'll show you!" The lady thought that was quite funny. She is 79 years old.

[migrant]

I've found with Thais, and also Latin American countries, they speak fairly straight forward. Calling someone fat isn't so much as an insult as it is their thoughts.

I've noticed also similar is the nicknames may seem a bit cruel to us, but they don't mind, such as skinny or fat.

[kendo]

I have found that Thai's can have no tact they say "kenny you and Neung get fat" what happen too you, or they will ask very direct qestions like how much you earn or how much money do you have, i allways say to the wife " tell your friend i have no money because i have Thai wife "

One thing i find funny tho, is when we go to offical building up in Isaan i.e electricity or bank i seem to be the topic of conversation i wish i could understand i just get loads of eye contact and smiles, once when we waited hours just to sort are new electric meter out after our tempory one from building the house these ladies came over and give us a tray of mango, i asked my wife " have they got any mossy spray my ankles are getting bit to buggery.

Kendo.

[sandman67]

Mrs S keeps calling me long "insult strings" ...shes been watching too many of my Tarantino films I think. "Get out of bed you big lazy buffalo stinky crocodile poo farang chang" was one of her best.

Shes abbreviated it to "Steeenkeee" now....

shes so cute.

She also says things like "How are you so stupid when you are so clever?" when I dont understand her version of accounting or economics..... im still trying to work out whether thats an insult, a compliment, or both....

Her mate says I look like Edward Norton and calls me Edward when we meet up....which is cool.
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[komfortablynumb]

You started something Vc.
Always felt 20 years younger visiting LOS.
Even the least vain succumb to believing, ''you so Hansome meester''.
HOWEVER.
Having married the current, and final lady of my dreams, after 3 years of gentle persuasion. (And a huge credit card bill)
Budda forbid i should crawl into my bed without a shower.
(always clean my teeth of course. Or wash my mouth.)
Too much information?

Being told i smell like a '' Dirty smelly dog buffalows armpit'' Seems to be the best she can do in English.
She then goes into Thai.
Which seems pretty damn pointless. As if you don't understand an insult.
It's not an insult.
just a meaningless sound.
I think asians seem more truthful about appearences.
However working on the theory of K.I.S.S. (Keep it simple stupid)
The Thai theory of:
Good heart.
Bad heart.
Seems to work.
And long may it live.

[buksida]

[spitfire]

While I'm on the language section,

buksi, is your call sign name a play on the Isaan/Lao slang word for farang? You know, drop the 'u' and add an 'a'.

Just wondering.
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Friendly fire - Isn't.

Nothing is absolute, apart from vodka.

[buksida]

[johnnyk]

In the west "fat" has become a PC insult. Some people think not using it will make a person 50 lbs. lighter and sleek as a trout, as if its all genetic.
Lessening the deep-fried crap consumption is simply not on, of course.
For Thais its just stating a fa(c)t.

[margaretcarnes]

Spitfire - don't you believe Buksis explanation of his name for one minute!
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'If'n ya cain't say nuth'n nice, don't say nuth'n at all' Thumper.

[spitfire]

Yes Mags, I do believe both of you.
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Friendly fire - Isn't.

Nothing is absolute, apart from vodka.

[buksida]

What I wanna know is why my avatar is reproducing!
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Luctor et Emergo

[spitfire]

You know what they say, imitation is the greatest form of flattery.
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Friendly fire - Isn't.

Nothing is absolute, apart from vodka.