Loss of face and respect are big deals (3/33)

Respect, shame, and the concept of face are important in Thailand, perhaps more so than in many western countries. The use of language and the wai are just a couple of ways for Thais to show respect. It’s considered bad form and disrespectful to visit somebody’s home without taking at least a small gift. Not removing shoes before entering a home is also a big sign of disrespect. Disrespecting someone, in a variety of ways, can cause a person to lose face, that is, to be embarrassed or shamed publicly. Yelling at somebody in public is another way of causing that person to lose face.

There can be strong repercussions for causing loss of face, with violence an extreme example of what can happen. It’s not uncommon for Thai people, particularly in rural areas, to deal with perceived injustices according to social norms (and outside of legal frameworks), with individuals, families, or communities dishing out punishments as they see fit.