Jingjok
Personal questions are a sign of warmth
ngoen-duean tâo-rài
A new Thai friend may ask how old you are, whether you're married, what you earn, or even comment that you look อ้วนขึ้น (a bit heavier) or thinner. In many cultures that's rude; here it usually means 'I'm interested in you and I'm comfortable with you'. You don't have to answer everything. Smile and give a soft, vague reply: for salary, พอกินพอใช้ (enough to get by); for weight, laugh and say you eat too much Thai food; for anything else, เรื่องส่วนตัว said with a grin. Nobody will be offended by a playful dodge. Getting visibly annoyed is what makes the moment awkward.
Try this today
Next time someone asks about money, answer พอกินพอใช้ and smile.
The words that carry it
Learn this in “Making friends” →
Your first 90 days of Thai
Culture cards in Jingjok are tied to the words that carry them, each ending in one thing to try today.
- WEEKS 1–2 · SURVIVEGreet anyone, pay, and order food and 7-Eleven exactly how you like it.
- WEEKS 3–6 · SETTLE INGet around by taxi, Grab and skytrain, find anything, and handle your landlord.
- WEEKS 7–12 · RUN YOUR LIFEPharmacy, bank, SIM and apps, how you feel, and a weekend away, all in Thai.
The first week is free.