Strict

Mai pen rai…you hear that a lot in Thailand and essentially it means no big deal, just go with the flow, or it’s ok all rolled into one lil phrase. I like this saying and recently I realized that perhaps I enjoy it cuz we don’t really have a phrase just like that in English. Or I suppose we sort of do, but it definitely isn’t one of the most proclaimed mantras of our American culture.

Dom is realizing how, in his words, “strict” America is compared to good ol’ laid back Thailand. Like today for example, we went off to the Social Security Administration office in Charlotte. I was going to get a new card since I changed my name because of marriage, and Dom was going to get his first SS card.

While we were sitting in our chairs awaiting our numbers to be called, the security guard at the front desk, a gruff man with salt and pepper hair, a slight pot belly which made the buttons on his navy blue shirt hold on tight, all the sudden seemed perturbed and stood up. 

In a loud, booming, Southern voice he declared, “I see you talking on that cell phone!  I said when you entered to turn ALL cell phones OFF. I did NOT say SILENT I said OFF. If you want to go tell someone I love you, Im coming home for dinner, or I dont like you, please go outside to do so, and don’t do it in here. ” Now he began to stroll around a bit as he continued, “I said OFF because someone may use their cell phone to take a picture of your private information and try to use it. I don’t go into your work place and disrespect you by not following your rules, so please RESPECT the rules here.  Thank you and I hope you enjoy your visit.”

Dom sat stone-faced for a moment or two. 

“Whoa, they are so strict here,” he whispered to me. I nodded, sort of surprised at the security guy’s outburst, but not too much because I assumed anything can happen in a government office.

Dom later explained to me how in Thailand they may have rules like that, but no one really enforces them much, which I definitely noticed while I was there. Driving, for example, they even have handy little traffic signs, but not many people really glance at them much, they are just part of the scenery I suppose.

So now when Dom comes here to drive, sometimes it is hard for him to catch on to the fact  that we have many rules when it comes to driving, and if you ignore them  you could get a ticket and a fine, have to pay extra for your insurance, or of course get in an accident. 

This has caused some scary situations while driving so far because Thailand doesn’t have as many frequent lane changes, super tight exit ramps, stop lights every 100 feet in suburbs, and stop signs you have to completely stop at. In Thailand you dont pull over to let ambulance drivers pass, yield to pedestrians, stop for school buses, or drive slower in school zones, well maybe you are supposed to… But once Dom practices the rules more a bit more, he will be a pro.

I never drove in Thailand (never was brave enough to risk my life or others’ lives on the Bangkok streets), but I wonder if it’s harder for a rule-focused American to drive in mai pen rai Thailand, or harder for a Thai in America. I guess you got it rough both ways.

But Americans aren’t strict with everything, as far as traditions and respect, we don’t hold them up as high as Thais do, but thats for another blog to come…