Made in Thailand...

Just got back from yet another visit to my in-laws in Bangkok. Nothing out of the ordinary, really, except for more observations of body languages of a different culture. Verbal language-wise, I'm still as lost as an Alaskan visiting Egypt, hence all the more I noted body languages when surrounded by strange tongues of Thai-speaking locals for 5 days.

Thai's behave very much more oriental than other IndoChina culture (perhaps except Vietnam) and their young trends root from a mix of Hong Kong/Japanese with tints of western subcultures. Only difference is the scarce of bodily contact except perhaps with parents. BGL couples are often oddly seen walking side by side, with almost no contact at all except for occasional brushings of their hands. For someone like me who's used to seeing deep smooching even when moving up an escalator at Orchard MRT Station, catching a glimpse in the street of Bangkok of a couple holding hands stood out in the massive crowd (only to find this pair a young farang couple). Even my wife alerted me to her embarressment when I tried to give her a peck on the cheek, only to be brushed off like a flikering bug beside her ear. The 'prim and proper' culture of the Thai simply don't encourage physical contacts... at least not in the open public.

When their language contain the same nasal qualities of Cantonese, Thai conversations are usually very high-pitched. This is especially noticeable when listening to male voices vocalizing strong emotions through raising of voices in conversations, such as those ending with the vulgarities of "Ai-HEE-ya"... Try imagine the ladies of the gentle voices pitching that.

Did much of our house supplies of toiletaries at Central Mall when the topic of P&G came to my mind. Little had I noticed that when work at P&G or Gillette may seem boring, consumer product companies really earn a hell lot from consumers around the world, most of whom don't realize they are actually patronizing one single corporation at most times. Counting down the toiletaries we got from the mall, I noted 90% of the 21 items bought were from P&G or Gillette. Once merged, the new organization would be behaving like a brand monopoly. Fair? Not exactly otherwise but not unnatural either.