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**ignonsoli** · 09-21-2012, 11:24 AM

I want to be able to blend into Thai culture as much as a farang can, though I would like to also be able to retain some level of self-expression.

Can we see a picture of you and we will pass it around our Thai friends

Seriously, I think many Thai people will respect you for your efforts to be culturally sensitive. Just walk down Khao San Road and you will see what Thai people call "a freak show". Certainly, Thai people in that area are used to strange looking foreigners. However, if you are planning on going to places that tourists don't normally go then everything you do and say will reflect back on not only you but your entire motherland.

For Thai people, they have the opinion that only animals have body hair. If you want to have a beard or goatee, I would suggest you keep it neat and clean at all times. At my school, our administration actually asked one of our new teachers to shave his beard before his first day at school. They said that the younger children would be too scared and would cry at the sight of a hairy farang. However, we have had visitors to the school since who had beards and there were no tears.

Bascially, this is part of old culture and these opinions are becoming less important with the new generation. They have seen "handsome" foreign men in the movies with facial hair. Many Thai pop stars these days now have their own versions of a goatee. I say their own version because Thai people actually have difficulty in growing facial hair. For them they don't need to shave every day. They just pluck at their hairs every now and then.

In summary, if you have a wonderful personality and always smile, then this will shine greater than anything else that might be "wrong" with your face. Be respectful and you will be respected.

Have fun and please come back to let us know how you got on.

09-21-2012, 11:24 AM	#5
ignonsoli Join Date Nov 2005 Posts 403 Senior Member	I want to be able to blend into Thai culture as much as a farang can, though I would like to also be able to retain some level of self-expression. Can we see a picture of you and we will pass it around our Thai friends Seriously, I think many Thai people will respect you for your efforts to be culturally sensitive. Just walk down Khao San Road and you will see what Thai people call "a freak show". Certainly, Thai people in that area are used to strange looking foreigners. However, if you are planning on going to places that tourists don't normally go then everything you do and say will reflect back on not only you but your entire motherland. For Thai people, they have the opinion that only animals have body hair. If you want to have a beard or goatee, I would suggest you keep it neat and clean at all times. At my school, our administration actually asked one of our new teachers to shave his beard before his first day at school. They said that the younger children would be too scared and would cry at the sight of a hairy farang. However, we have had visitors to the school since who had beards and there were no tears. Bascially, this is part of old culture and these opinions are becoming less important with the new generation. They have seen "handsome" foreign men in the movies with facial hair. Many Thai pop stars these days now have their own versions of a goatee. I say their own version because Thai people actually have difficulty in growing facial hair. For them they don't need to shave every day. They just pluck at their hairs every now and then. In summary, if you have a wonderful personality and always smile, then this will shine greater than anything else that might be "wrong" with your face. Be respectful and you will be respected. Have fun and please come back to let us know how you got on.
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