After spending 8 months, mostly traveling within Thailand, I just flew in to Singapore on some work. It was a refreshing change to be back in a more organized and clean city, and amidst predictable living conditions. It's definitely nice to have maps and guides for everything and to know that you can expect your buses and trains to always be on time.
It's reassuring to get response for every question you ask, whether at the airport or at the mall, not with blank stares or broken communication, but with clear and detailed information. Yet, as the day dragged on, I realized that despite my irrefutable delight amongst these conditions, there was something that I was badly missing! No it wasn't the the pad thais or green curries, and definitely not the chaotic traffic or the polluted air. It was the gentle but heartwarming Thai Smile! Over the past few months in Thailand, when things were unpredictable and disorganized, when communication was not clear and the heat unbearable, I had come to rely on one thing; the ubiquity of the "ever-comforting Thai Smile."
My experience of a genuine Thai smile is not based on outer conditions, and am certainly not referring to the commercial smile from air hostess or at hotels. It is something that is rooted in the culture and trained innately in behavior. It is true that a genuine smile is rare, not just in Thailand, but the world over, because:
A smile lifts the spirit,
A smile softens a tiring journey,
A smile shows unconditional acceptance,
No matter what your identity,
A smile conveys support and lightens all worries,
A smiles kindles new hope and is ever-welcoming,
When you arrive into this new land,
Knowing not where you path is headed,
You discover again your heart's home,
It's reassuring to get response for every question you ask, whether at the airport or at the mall, not with blank stares or broken communication, but with clear and detailed information. Yet, as the day dragged on, I realized that despite my irrefutable delight amongst these conditions, there was something that I was badly missing! No it wasn't the the pad thais or green curries, and definitely not the chaotic traffic or the polluted air. It was the gentle but heartwarming Thai Smile! Over the past few months in Thailand, when things were unpredictable and disorganized, when communication was not clear and the heat unbearable, I had come to rely on one thing; the ubiquity of the "ever-comforting Thai Smile."
My experience of a genuine Thai smile is not based on outer conditions, and am certainly not referring to the commercial smile from air hostess or at hotels. It is something that is rooted in the culture and trained innately in behavior. It is true that a genuine smile is rare, not just in Thailand, but the world over, because:
A smile lifts the spirit,
A smile softens a tiring journey,
A smile shows unconditional acceptance,
No matter what your identity,
A smile conveys support and lightens all worries,
A smiles kindles new hope and is ever-welcoming,
When you arrive into this new land,
Knowing not where you path is headed,
You discover again your heart's home,
In the soft and gentle, Thai Smile!
I recall reading an article from a Time Correspondent couple of months ago (whose phrase of the "ever-comforting Thai Smile" I have used here). He argued that based on the history of conflicts in the country and the ongoing political struggles, a Thai Smile has never been a reality but the hype of tourist guides. In recent times, many of my friends abroad have enquired with me repeatedly about Thailand as they doubt the Thais to endure the current circumstances.
Yes, individually, how could anyone endure the political strife and instability, the whimsical administration, and the worsening living conditions. But the strength of the Thai's innate ability to smile is not to be underestimated. To me, "the land of smiles" has a great potential as long as it smiles continue to be shared with all - generously and sincerely!
So also shall its hope for peace keep improving if all the political groups rely more and more on their real source of power. More than any other time in history, what is needed now is for Thais to rise and reclaim their true inheritance and power; the power of the "ever-comforting Thai Smile."
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