Since several readers enjoyed learning something about the Thai language in the last post, I thought I would repost this story about my first Thanksgiving in Thailand.
I had the good fortune to live and work in Bangkok many years ago. I was the only American in my office, and of course Thanksgiving is not a Thai holiday, so when Thanksgiving came, I took the afternoon off to go have dinner with other Americans.
That morning at the office, I was chatting with some colleagues. In an attempt to bridge cultures, I joked, “Even though this is an American holiday, we can all take a moment to think about all the things we have to be grateful for. For example, you can be thankful that the pilgrims didn’t land in Thailand!”
Everyone laughed politely and I was congratulating myself on the success of my cross-cultural humor, when several people asked at once, “What’s a pilgrim?”
I knew then I had a lot to learn!
No matter where you are in the world, count your blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!
How funny really! Different cultures, different notions. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteMay you have a blessed and beautiful day! Stay well.
Happy Thanksgiving Galen for you truly are a "PEARL"....
ReplyDeleteIn gratitude to humor,
Nancy
This was very cute! I loved the humor and I am smiling. wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving Day too.
ReplyDeleteHahaha! I so enjoy these little episodes that happen because of culture and/or language differences! I miss those sometimes, I find them so enriching.
ReplyDeleteWe don' celebrate Thanksgiving here, but I think it's a very nice tradition. So happy Thanksgiving to you, too! :)
This made me chuckle......hope you had a grand holiday....Galen.
ReplyDeletexo
Jo
Happy Thanksgiving! We are going to celebrate tomorrow with a traditional dinner with some American friends...today is not a holiday here either.
ReplyDeleteYou're so right; we should often count our blessings and Thanksgiving can be celebrated all over the world.
ReplyDeleteHope you had a wonderful day.
CJ xx
Excellent post. I think you gave me an idea for one of my own posts. Happy Thanksgiving season to you.
ReplyDeleteGalen,
ReplyDeleteI am counting my blessings by offering a beautiful gift to all who comment on my blog post this weekend. www.patriciaswisdom.com
I hope you will come by - it is just so beautiful it fills me with joy
I loved your story....and it made me laugh. My Mother a Canadian, who's birthday often fell on Thanksgiving Day, always put her celebration ahead of the pilgrim story too! Thanksgiving is in October! with all the trimmings!
hi Galen - happy Thanksgiving to you. While many cultures don't celebrate Thanksgiving per se, many do have Thanksgiving, harvest, gratitude type holiday and rituals. Oh - all without pilgrims of course:)
ReplyDeleteThat is funny...laughter is good and laughing at yourselves better..
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving...
Happy Thanksgiving Galen, I hope you have a wonderful weekend. If I make it to Australia in January I hope to remember your words here, thanks for the lesson! :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a funny story; I guess not every one in the world is familar with the pilgrims. Hope you had a great thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteA nice experience in Thailand at Thanksgiving. I got a chuckle from your post :-) It's been a wonderful holiday and hope yours was too!
ReplyDeleteThanks to all for your lovely comments!
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