What "Kreng Jai" Really Means in Thai Culture

Watch What "Kreng Jai" Really Means in Thai Culture - The Nation Thailand on Dailymotion

Transcript

00:00Thailand is often called the land of smiles and many people say that Thais are very kind and

00:06polite. But there's a deeper cultural concept that shapes this politeness, something called

00:12is the mindset about not wanting to burden or be inconsiderate or embarrass someone else.

00:20It's why someone might turn down an offer even if they'd like to say yes,

00:24or why a Thai person will smile and stay polite even when something isn't okay.

00:29To foreigners, this can come off as shyness or passiveness, but in reality it's rooted in

00:34respect and the desire to keep harmony. Understanding greng zai can help you avoid

00:39misunderstanding and build deeper trust with Thai people. So the next time someone says don't worry

00:45about it, stop, ask yourself, are they being polite or are they just greng zai?