Every country on the planet has some particular rules of etiquette that everyone has to follow, and Thailand is not an exception. So, if you are thinking about visiting Thailand for any reason, you may be wondering whether it is rude to show or point at the soles of your feet. Well, we will provide detailed answers below.
Yes, it is considered a rule to show the soles of your feet in Thailand. This is because the soles of the feet are believed to be one of the least honorable parts of the body; hence, showing them to anyone can be quite impolite. So, when you are in Thailand, you need to avoid showing the soles of your feet to anyone.
But how do Thais react when a foreigner (farang) shows the soles of his/her feet? How can you avoid offending people in Thailand? There are numerous things you need to know about staying in Thailand. So, this article will explain everything.
Why is it rude to show the soles of your feet in Thailand?
As stated above, it is definitely rude to show the soles of your feet in Thailand. But why is this so? As claimed by Trip Savvy and other reliable sources, Thais believe that the soles of the feet are unclean body parts. In fact, the soles of the feet are either placed directly into dirt or trapped inside the shoes throughout the day.
According to many cultures in the East, unclean body parts can lead to impure spirituality or metaphysical being. Therefore, it is not strange that Thais go the extra mile to ensure that the soles of their feet are kept away from other people. So, if you don’t want to offend people in Thailand, you should not show the soles of your feet to people in Thailand.
How to avoid offending people with your feet in Thailand
So, if you would like to avoid offending people with your feet in the Land of Smiles, here are the things you should do:
- Don’t point your feet or their soles at anyone
- Don’t raise your feet above the head of any person
- Don’t put your feet on a chair or desk
- Don’t put your feet at a Buddha image (inside or outside of temples)
- Don’t sit on the ground as this will show your feet to people around you
If you can follow the tips above, you will not show the soles of your feet to anyone in Thailand.
What happens if you show the soles of your feet in Thailand?
If you are a farang (foreigner), you might be bothered about what will happen if you should the soles of your feet knowingly or unknowingly in Thailand. The truth is that showing your feet will offend people, but this doesn’t mean that they will attack you or do any other things.
The majority of Thais are forgiving and tolerant of foreigners’ mistakes, especially when they pertain to etiquette. In many cases, people will feel offended, but they will move on. Others may decide to correct you by letting you know that it is impolite to show the soles of your feet in Thailand.
Nevertheless, it is generally advisable for tourists to avoid doing anything that can offend their host. Therefore, don’t wait to see what will happen when you show the soles of your feet in Thailand; avoid the etiquette blunder.
When can you point your feet at people in Thailand?
Of course, there are instances where it is not offensive to point your feet at people in Thailand. Some of these instances include:
- When you are getting a pedicure or a foot massage
- When the calluses of the soles of your feet are being shaved – some people offer this service to tourists and locals in Thailand
- When you are stretching on the floor or doing yoga exercises
- When you are getting medical treatment for your feet or legs e.g. treating a fungal infection caused by wearing extremely tight shoes
- When you are sitting at the beach
- When you are skiing and another person is skiing below you.
As you can see, there is no way that you can avoid showing the soles of your feet in all the instances given above. Therefore, no one will be offended when you show or point your feet.
Other things considered rude in Thailand
Of course, showing your feet is not the only rude thing you can do in Thailand. According to Asian Highlights, you should avoid the following rude things when you are in Thailand:
- Don’t touch the head of anyone – the head is believed to be the most sacred and honorable part. Hence, don’t touch anyone’s head in Thailand.
- Don’t point at anyone – you should rather use your chin to indicate the direction of the person you are talking about.
- Don’t disrespect the King of Thailand and the royal family – this also includes images and currency where the King’s images are also found.
- Don’t toss money or any other object at people
- Don’t wear shoes into people’s homes or temples – usually, you will see a pile of shoes at the entrance of homes and temples. This is because it is wrong to enter temples or houses with shoes.
- Don’t disrespect monks – monks are some of the most respected individuals in Thailand. So, you shouldn’t do anything that can be rude to them.
- Don’t give things to people with your left hand – the left hand is often used for toilet functions and other dirty activities. Hence, it is wrong to use it to give things to people in the Land of Smiles.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, it is rude to show the soles of your feet in Thailand. This is because the feet are known to be dirty; hence, showing or pointing them at people is disrespectful. Besides, you should also note other things that are considered rude in Thailand and avoid them to have an enjoyable and hassle-free experience in the Land of Smiles.
