15 Habits You Can't Help Pick Up Living in Thailand

If you’ve spent any length of time in Thailand you’ve likely picked up a few habits from the locals, whether you’ve noticed it or not. Check out our list of the 15 habits you have probably adopted.
Hailing the other way around
In Thailand, it is very rude and equates to giving someone the middle finger when hailing someone to point your fingers towards the sky. Instead, you’ve mastered the downward waving action.

Destinations Unlocked:
Let our travel expert Stefano help you find your perfect Culture tripCentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great priceAfrica
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
T’inglish
You say “na kha/kap” at the end of a sentence in English or in Thai and think it’s perfectly normal, leaving your visitors bewildered. Likewise, you’ve adopted the nack of using English words in a particular Thai way, for example, “computeeeeuur”.
Your motorbike has no limits
Once upon a time, you thought it was insane to see three people on a motorbike let alone seven, these days moving house on your motorbike is just normal. In Thailand, the humble motorbike is the family vehicle.

You’ve ditched the knife
Thai people do not use a fork and knife when they eat, rather a spoon and fork. The spoon is the main utensil with the fork being used to push food onto the spoon. This makes perfect sense and is totally normal now.
You’re a bum gun convert
You came sceptical of the so-called ‘bum gun’ and now you’ve embraced the superior cleaning method, so much so that any dry wiping now appears to be barbaric.

Mastered the art of bargaining
You’ve worked out the fine balance between pushing for a good deal and friendly banter to get your desired price at a local market. You are shocked when you see tourists simply go in and buy things without this dance.
7-Eleven, the mother of convenience
You’ve gotten used to the fact that you can not only stop into a 7-Eleven for water, milk or a late night ham and cheese toastie but also to top up your phone, buy a plane ticket and pay your utility bills. When you visit your local convenience store on visits back home you are surprised that they don’t do all these things too.

Shade is your friend
Your former self would worship the sun gods whenever possible, now you scamper about like the sun is evil and hide from it so you don’t tan and to keep cool. You drive your motorbike wearing a jacket and you certainly do not spend any unnecessary time in the suns rays.
Ice in beer
Ice in beer used to be an outlandish concept to you, now you understand that cold beer is more important so regularly top up the ice in your beer. The addition of a straw is still one step too far.

Sharing is caring
More often than not Thai’s share their dishes rather than ordering one individual dish. Small portions are taken at a time to eat with rice and regularly topped up as desired. Taking everything you anticipate you will eat and lumping it on your plate in one go is not polite etiquette.
Taking your shoes off
It’s become a habit now that when you enter a temple or someone’s home (and many shops) that you take your shoes off outside before entering. Wearing shoes inside now feels a little strange.

Keep your cool
Patience is a virtue is something you now firmly live by. Back home it might be ok to scream at your neighbour if they are being too noisy or yell at the person who almost backed into you, in Thailand keeping your cool and keeping face is very important.
There is never enough spice
Everything needs flavour, whether it be more chilli or an assortment of condiments, you’ve become accustomed to your meals coming with a strong kick. Any meal that does not have this will need some serious work.

Cleanliness
Three showers and two outfits per day is fine, long gone are your stinky backpacker days of no showers. Thai’s are very particular when it comes to cleanliness and you’ve embraced this with open arms.
Don’t wait
In Thailand, you eat once the food arrives and do not wait till everyone has received their meal. At first this takes some getting used to, however, you soon realize that there is a good reason.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.