Sanuk and Sabai, the Thai pursuit of happiness
Lying in a hammock is Sabaai
tourists who Thailand visits are almost always surprised by the friendliness of the Thai people. There are always friendly questions (which should not be taken as interference) and there is an openness that you will rarely encounter elsewhere.
The standard greeting is “pai nai?” or “where are you going?”. This question does not have the literal meaning, more like “hello” or “how are you?”. The same goes for asking whether you have eaten yet (“Kin khaaw lu'yang?”). She is mainly intended to show interest and to have a chat with you.
Sanuk
In Thailand, almost everything revolves around 'sanuk'; which is a mixture of pleasant and cozy. Thais are rather practical. For a Thai, something is only worthwhile if it yields something or is 'sanuk'. Partying, gossiping, going to the cinema, eating out, picnicking and making music are synonymous with 'sanuk'. They like to do this with as many people as possible. Thai people believe that you should always have fun with others. You have fun with a group, for example with friends, colleagues, neighbours, fellow villagers and family. Eating together, going out together and having 'sanuk' together. The more souls the merrier, could also be a Thai motto. Thais don't need much for sanuk. Loud music, lemonade, beer and ice cubes are enough for a good dose of sanuk.
Eating together is sanuk
Sabai
There is another word that plays an important role in Thai life: Sabaai. That word stands for comfortable and relaxed. For example, a wonderful relaxing massage is sabaai sabaai. In the most ideal situation, something is both 'sanuk' and 'sabaai'.
Thais try to avoid stress as much as possible. A job should be fun and stress-free. Having fun with your colleagues is very important, just like eating quietly together.
The opposite of 'sanuk' is 'seriat' (a corruption of the English word serious). Life is not meant to be taken too seriously. The Buddhist values of tolerance and acceptance underline this lighthearted pursuit of happiness.
About this blogger
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Known as Khun Peter (62), lives alternately in Apeldoorn and Pattaya. In a relationship with Kanchana for 14 years. Not yet retired, have my own company, something with insurance. Crazy about animals, especially dogs and music.
Enough hobbies, but unfortunately little time: writing for Thailandblog, fitness, health and nutrition, shooting sports, chatting with friends and some other oddities.
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A very nice and recognizable piece (sanuk ha, ha ..)
I experience a difference between a cozy get-together with Thai men or with a group of Thai women. Well I don't know if it's just me because I have more respect and interest in Thai women?
With women I experience such situations as spontaneous and as if there is no difference in what kind of job and position you have, whether someone is richer or poorer, everyone seems 'equal'. In a group of men who are cozy among themselves, I notice a difference between rich and poor, someone with a position of power and who should be respected more than the average person present…. it feels less spontaneous and therefore less cozy for me. The editors write that a small party can already start with a cool glass of drink, but I know from Thai that there should always be something to eat, even if it's 'snacks'. The chance that Thai women can have fun with a glass of 'fresh' is greater than with Thai men. If there are children around, they more easily join a group of women having fun than men. The conversation material is also completely different.
But it can be very cozy! and if you want to participate then ask ' Sanuk mai krap?' and you are already taken by the arm to sit with it.
Quote…”A job should above all be fun and not cause stress”
A quote close to my heart, because one works to live. not the other way around, as it seems to be becoming more and more common in the Netherlands.
The Dutch have no idea how things go in Thailand, many Dutch people who have been here for years still do not speak a word of Thai, only when you master the task can you understand the country
For a Thai, something is only worthwhile if it yields something or is 'sanuk'.
Those Thais are so special, very different from us, the Dutch. For us Dutch people, something is only worthwhile if it does not yield anything, or if it is not fun or cozy at all. (sarcasm).
We Dutch people will never laze on the beach.
Hi Tino, yes, it's crazy, but it's a Thailand blog and not a Dutch blog, because then we could write that all Dutch people walk on wooden shoes and live in windmills where they are stoned all day long from the weed.
Yes, very good, Peter. Many Thais, and other foreigners, think that the Dutch do nothing but smoke weed and visit the Walletjes. Very nice to read those Thai blogs.
The Dutch say 'nice, tasty, cozy' much more often than the Thai say 'sanoek'. Really and truly. They sometimes even say sanoek ironically / sarcastically.
“They even say sanoek ironically/sarcastically sometimes.”
Like in the Netherlands when you have a staff party, visit your mother-in-law or stroll along the furniture boulevard during Easter…..”Gezelligggg”