In the last blog comments, some students were wondering about when they were in America, people would say "bless you" when someone sneezed. It is a polite thing to say to someone when they have sneezed.The belief comes from Christian belief. When you sneeze... what happens? It overwhelms your five senses: seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting... When you sneeze, you close your eyes, you cannot hear anything else, you cannot smell, etc... So Christians believed that at the moment when you sneeze, your soul could escape your body (just for a moment), and it would be possible for the devil to catch it. So... people say "bless you!" to protect your soul when it escaped while you sneezed. This is where this custom comes from, but I don't think many people actually know this anymore. Now it is just a polite thing to say.
If you have other interesting stories like this to share, please do.
I have a question for the blog this week. How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner? Do you need to travel abroad? Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?
Thanks for your comments. This is a great start! Aj. M
"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures." Cesar Chavez
Good Morning, Aj.Matthew ^_^
ReplyDeleteHow is it going this morning?!
Actually, I ever heard about this kind of culture before and I did it when I was in America. People would say "God bless you!" whenever there was someone sneezing. Even though I'm Thai and of course I'm Buddhist, I feel good when those people say this. It sounds like they care and concern about each other. Moreover, I was given this kind of good feeling too.
By the way, being foreinger in my opinion is someone who comes from outside of the country. Somebody would say that foreigner is the one who has different lifestyle, religion, race, language, or even culture. Nevertheless, in case of Thailand where I belong to, there are a lot of various culture including Thai (Lanna, Esan, Muslim, ect.), Chinese, ect. We are the one. Everyone can call themselves "Thai". We are not foreigner to each other. So I'm not pretty sure if we need to travel abroad to be a foreigner but I'm sure that I will not be foreigner for my hometown. ^O^
Last but not least, I agree with the phrase here by Cesar Chavez saying "Preservation of one's own culture does not require comtempt or disrespect for other cultures." For the reason that culture is the diversity of people's lifestyles, every culture has its own style. Therefore, people should have their freedom to do things. Just like a phrase said by my friend that "Culture is culture, no right or wrong."
Thank you and have a wonderful day ^^
ID: 503 1006 001
CCC, Section 1
Hello Aj. M
ReplyDeleteWhen I have read "Sneeze!". It makes me interesting about American culture because I have never heard it before. I try to search about "God bless you after sneeze". I like this part of the article. I would like to share it on ccc blog
sneeze on Monday for health,
sneeze on Tuesday for wealth,
sneeze on Wednesday for a letter,
sneeze on Thursday for something better,
sneeze on Friday for sorrow,
sneeze on Saturday, see your sweetheart tomorrow,
sneeze on Sunday, safety seek.
Sneeze one time for sorrow
two fro joy
three for a letter
four for a boy
five for a glod
six for silver
seven for a secret, never to be told.
-Songbird
For the question
I have seen many people go to aboard. I want to go to aboard too but I still never been. I think when people go to aboard, they will be a foreigner. The foreigner may have a difference style, nationality, culture and so on. If I go to aboard, I might be a foreigner but I still the same. Going to aboard can not force me to change my culture. I am Thai and I will not be a foreigner in my hometown, Thailand.
Hope you enjoy to read
and thanks for a good knowledge !!!
5031006157
Thank you for your knowledge about American culture, because at first I also wondered about this.
ReplyDeleteFor your questions,
In my opinion, foreigner is someone who come from another place. I think we can be a foreigner in our country. Since last vacation I wen to work in Phuket alone. I didn't know anyone there. It was my first time to visit there. Everything was different from my home. There were many farang and cars on the road. Everything were so expensive. I felt like I was a foreigner in Phuket. I had to learn everything new there such as people, food, climate and especially how to get other places. It was a difficult time in there. I was so lonely but it was a great experience to be a farang in Thailand.
5031006015 Section1
Hello, how are U, Aj.?
ReplyDeleteYes, I think it's the good story. I've also heard some thing like this - it's about culture shock for example in Korea, people believe that if someone's name is written in red ink, something bad will happen with that person or in Thailand, the head is high thing that should never be touched.
Anyways, I have just come from Mae Hong Son that is match with the question above. Actually, I can not be foreigner in my own hometown, but I can be tourist in my country. When I was at Mae Hong Son, I had seen to the identity of the people, the society and the food. They could make me impress. I feel that Mae Hong Son is very nice place that travel lover should go there. I can not tell but, if you want to know, U need to touch it by youself and you will know that Thailand has many nice places where Thai and foreigner should travel and touch to cultures and identities of each province. Besides, I think traveling both domestic and aboard is nice thing because when you are on your way, you will know what's going on.
Well, I feel that this is the good start for study culture since I like and love to share the experience to my friends and you and thank you very much for shaing an interesting one.
Have a nice dream and see you agian in the class. ^^
ID: 5031006190
Hi Aj Matthew;
ReplyDeleteYour story is very interesting. Actually, I have heard this culture but I don't know why. Now, I learn from you. Thank you!! ^^ It's new knowledge for me. I have experienced about many of Indian culture and I think that you also familiar with some of the Indian cultures.
Here, I'm going to talk about an indian culture. It is not well-known. When younger people greet or pay respect to elder, they touch the elder's feet. The elder will touch the younger's head and bless them to have long life. First time I saw it, I just don't have any idea that why are they touching the elder's feet. However, I got answer from my mother. she also teach me a lot about her homeland's culture. I love learning culture, espacially, the different cultures.
------
For this question...
"How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner? Do you need to travel abroad? Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?"
-- In my opinion, I think for being the foreigners, we hav to travel to other nations but in some cases, travel to different culture is enough. we are the foreigner for people in different culture and nation. As I said, we don't need to travel so far for being a foreigner. For example, I lived in Chiangrai and when I travel to the hill tribes village within Chiangrai - I am the foreigner for the hill tribes people. Therefore, we can be foreigner in our hometown. It depends to where we go and how is the culture of people in that places.
I hope that my answer will not disappoint you.
It's great to have a chance to share the opinion..
Thanks
ID: 5031006116 Section : 3
Hi! Aj.Matthew
ReplyDeleteI've ever heard this kind of belief before, but I don't know why they do it.
For Thais, we have the belief about the soul come out of body also.
They told that we shouldn't paint people face while they sleep. They believed that at night, soul will come out of the body (Actually, I don't know where dose it go) and when it come back, it can't memorize whose body is it. The soul can't come back to the body therefore, they were died.
For your questions, I want to go aboard. I wait for the suitable time to go. I think going aboard is some kind of abandon. My parents, they were old and always ill. I don't need to abandon them. I think going aboard have to spent the time to live there. I'm still worry about them. I think this is the kind of Thai culture. We were tough that parents are the most important, don't abandon them.
I think we are all foreigner because we come form the different parts of country. For example, I lived in the center of Thailand, but I come to the north. I am a foreigner. I've learned the new beautiful cultures of Lanna, dialect and people behaviors. It's not necessary to pay a lot of money to learn the different cultures. It's all around us.
[Neng] 5031006142 sec 3
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ReplyDeleteGood Morning, Aj.Matthew ^^
ReplyDeleteI've ever heard sneeze of belief foreigners, but I don't know the meaning of them. Thank you a little of information about American culture. I just know the meaning sneeze of belief a culture foreigner from Aj.Matthew.
After that I tried to search more information again. This topic helps me to more understand about sneeze in American culture. I think America got new culture from European like sneeze. (not sure)
Question
Nowadays, I see many people go to abroad. Maybe it will be fashion of someone. In the same way, it is a good opportunity for travel to get new experience from other culture. I want to go to abroad too. I hope to go to abroad someday. I want to go to Europe more than Asia. In fact, I want to go to everywhere if I have enough money by not bother my parent.
I think everyone who go to travel other countries is foreigners. If I might be go to abroad I will conservative my culture and propagate to other people too. I am already to learn new culture all time; food, culture, belief and so on. I will try to adapt my behavior to new culture also.
Thank you for a good knowledge
MissNettaya Saiyata (Sunny)
ID:5031006156
Section:03
I am a Christian but I've never know about this kind of belief before. Ha ha
ReplyDeleteAlthough, I am a Christian but I don't have the same belief about sneeze! Maybe because I live in Thailand so I have different culture that can lead to difference.
I think being foreigner means we go to some place that has different culture. Somebody would say that foreigner is someone who comes from outside of the country but I think if we go to the place that has different culture in same country, we can be the foreigner for those people who live there.
However, if I have a chance, I really want to go aboard. It’s not because I want to be a foreigner but I want to get more experience from other country.
ID: 5031006107
WELL! After reading this kind of the article, It is not too surprised for me .It was due to this kind of culture is likely the culture in Islam .However, there is al little different between Christian culture and Islam culture. In Islam when someone is sneezing he or she have to state alhamdulillah it mean thanks’ god and when other hear that word they will reply another word after that word.I really don’t know as well why I have to state this after sneezing. It maybe my cultures that after sneezing have to state that word like Christian do.
ReplyDeleteAnd about the question of this week
It is impossible for one person to be foreigner while they are living in their hometown. The reason is while we are living in our hometown it means we still live in the same location and culture. Thus, how can one person change their own to be others despite he \she still living in the same culture and location. Although, we are living in another country I think it is also difficult for one person to change to be other too. Because of, culture of one person is already infiltrate in our soul .We might have to adapt when we are living in another country but we cannot leaving our own culture.
ID :5031006045
Good morning Aj.Mattrew
ReplyDeleteHow are you today? Teacher...
Today I bring my laptop for studying. I saw you at E1. I think you will go to here for your lunch. That is a cause to do this assignment...
From your question in this week, I have known this culture before. I have old BF ^^ who is Christian. He always said this word before we hang up. I really like this word because I seem to be he care in my health.
I am a one student in English major who want go to aboard. There are many countries in the world where we can get the knowledge and new experience. In my opinion, foreigner can not happen in my hometown when I go to any places in Thailand. It is impossible for me.
I hope you enjoy for your lunch
Thank you
Nattaya Buranaphol …Mary
ID: 5031006025 Section: 3
……..( ^^)(^^ )…..
ReplyDeleteI have never known before about this story, even if I used to go to USA.
For the questions, I think everyone wants to travel as a different style because each one has a particular destination and several needs. It is not necessary to be a foreigner or has to travel aboard because when we are traveling, we have a confidence to go as we know that we can communicate with others. For myself, on the other hand, I need to go to aboard because I like the European cultures such as the festivals, buildings, products of the famous brand names, and so on. I used to go to Doswell and Williamsburg in Virginia and it is my best experiences. Furthermore, in my opinion, we never can be a foreigner in our hometown but we are as a tourist or traveler when we travel in our hometown because we know how to communicate with those people and their general culture well as we are Thai.
…..[ ><][>< ]……….
… Hathaitip Phanmetharit (GIFT..*) …
5031006102 ……. Sec. 3
That's interesting for me ^^ I've never known about the story of sneeze before. I just know that in English speaking country, people say "Bless you" after one has sneezed while in Latin American, people say "salud" at the same time.
ReplyDeleteFor your question, I think that we are foreigners when we are at the different places of cultures. If we travel abroad, we are absolutely foreigners and if we are in the society of people who are from the different cultures, we are the foreigners for them as well.
ID: 5031006095 :)
This culture is very interesting. I never heard it before but I like. I have less knowledge about foreign culture beyond I have. I am afraid when I say with foreigners so I never changed the culture with them.
ReplyDeleteI known about Thanksgiving and hand’s symbols but now I cannot remember that symbols to share with you. I will learn new culture from internet when I want to know, when I know the answer I will forgot. ^_^
I like this blog because I can learn new culture. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.
Miss Kornkanok Nonthanum
ID. 5031006004 Section. 3
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteForeigner is the person who travel in different countries.
ReplyDeleteFor me,eventhough we are Thai, we sometimes can be foreigner in our country.It is the fact that we speak the same language. On the other hand, if you travel other parts of country, you can be a foreigner because you don't know their culture. Each places have different cultures even it is in the same country.
ID:5031006110
sec. 3
Hello Aj.Matthew
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for answering my comment.
I'm very appreciated.
I was very confused when I was in USA that why people have to say "bless you".
Anyway,
I think, we don't need to go abroad to learn culture.
I myself live in a small city for almost 21 years which has many ethnic groups.
When I had chance to travel in my city, I acted like a tourist. I feel surprised of some cultures that I never know about some cultures before.
See u in class and hav a great day!!
Good evening Aj.Matthew
ReplyDeleteFor the story about saying “bless you” when some people in America sneeze, I am surprised about the reason why American people say like that because I have never heard it before. It is the new knowledge that I got. ^^
For the answer of the question in this week, I think foreigner is a person who comes form other country. It is not necessary how far you need to travel and then you will become a foreigner, but you just across the border that separate between your country and another country (such as the country where is next to your country), you will become a foreigner in that country immediately. In my opinion, I think if I travel abroad, I will be a foreigner for people in that country. I have never been a foreigner in my hometown and it is hardly possible that we will become a foreigner in our own hometown, but it is possible that we just might become a stranger in our own hometown.
Thank you for sharing your story kah. It was very interesting. ^^
ID: 5031006002 \(^0^)/
I have never heard before about this story but I think it is same as one story in Thai culture. In Thai culture, they believe everyone has 'Kwan' in their life. Kwan likes your soul. When people face to bad thing or bad story, Kwan will leave them. Thus, they make the ceremony for calling Kwan to come back to own. Sometime, you will hear the elders say ' Kwan auey Kwan mar', when you face to bad thing.
ReplyDeleteFor the question, in my opinion I think, people who travel in country where is not your hometown are the foreigner. Also, they have different language, lifestyle, and culture from that place.
Secondly,if I have a chance, I want to travel abroad. I want to use and practice my language. And I want to study new culture that I have never seen before.
For the last question, I think it is not impossible, people who have same culture are the foreigner. If you have the same language, lifestyle, and culture, you can communicate with people who live in that place easily. Nobody see you like a foreigner.
Good night Ajarn Matthew ^^
Miss Pornsuda Mutchima
ID:5031006058 Sec.01
Hello ! Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteI have ever known about "sneeze" in America culture and people say "God bless you."
I think it is so strange because I think sneezing is natural of man and why they must say bless you to someone sneeze. After I read this story in the blog, I think it is good thing to do. I feel good if someone say
"God bless you" for me. Although, I respect for buddhism, anyway. I think it is one of good culture that it is different from Thailand.
For me, traveling and studying aboard are good chance. Absolutely if I stay in other country, other culture or other language, I become foreigner.
Thank you for good stoy in this blog and we can share idea and something different.
It is so interesting.
ID: 5031006215
Sec: 02
I have something about sneeze to share
ReplyDeleteIn Islam, we are also have the phrase to say for person who sneeze and for person who hearing.
People who sneeze will say “Alhamdulinlah” after they sneeze. It’s mean thank you to Allah (God), because when we sneeze, we release some disease germs from our body. That’s why we have to say thank you. For the hearer, will utter “Yashamkanlah” to the sneezer. It’s mean may Allah(God) give you far from disease.
I think, my friends have ever heard that word after I sneeze, but they might not pay much attention about it.
This is what I want to share.
For the question about foreigner, I would like to share that as I am a Muslim, so most people always think that I am a foreigner. Sometimes, it is good for me that I can know what they are thinking about me.
Hasnee Maduerawae
5031006122 sec: 3
Hello Aj. Matthew,
ReplyDeleteI still remember the time when I was in America. I was allergic to the weather and I sneezed all the time. Everytime people said "bless you" I had to say "thank you" in order to be polite. You know how "Thais" are. I can't remember how many times I said thank you each class in high school.
Anyway, to answer your question, I think you don't have to go outside your hometown or even the university to be a foreigner at all.
Today, I went into English for Science and Technology class for some observation. The science students are so different from English major students! They are really quiet and shy. When the instructor ask, they don't even move their lips! Huge differences between us.
Can you imagine teaching forty students, but none of them talk?
Big culture shock, I got.
Nueng
5031006182
Wow! Well, firstly I'd like to tell that the thing that you have wrote on blog is very interesting cuz it is a little thing that I really dont know. IoI Bless u!
ReplyDeleteWell, for the question.
How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner?
- Well, i think it is not depend on journey or how far but it depends on you when you are going to different country, youu are foreigner.
Do you need to travel abroad?
-Need? Hmm, maybe it is not the word "need" for me because I can live without it. IoI
ID: 5031006012 Section: 02
I am learning so much from these comments. I appreciate everyone here very much.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting how many cultures have some idea about sneezing, so there is a custom about it, such as what I learned here in Islamic traditions. It seems very thoughtful to me.
And also learning about the Thai "kwan". I just learned about this from an article I read, and some students here have described it too. I never knew this before and it explains a lot to me about Thai culture: to feel depressed: "kwan sia" (broken spirit)... many cultures seem to have a belief in a spirit that we must keep inside and happy: "kwan auey kwan ma." I love it.
Hi aj. M..
ReplyDeleteThat is a great new knowledge for me about “God bless you” I always see this phrase on Facebook, but I do not know why do many people say it. Anyway, you made me clarify about this belief. Thank you very much for that story.
My opinion for this week is… If someone is defined as a “foreigner” he/she would be a stranger in a new environment because they have different physical, language, and they come from other places. However, we do not need to go so far, and travel aboard is not necessary. Because we can be a foreigner, when we meet new people in a new environment, and sometimes we have to change many things to be a part of the group. For example; when I first came in Chiang Rai, I felt strange to many things like food, and dialect here. I seemed to be a foreigner at that moment. Moreover, I can be a foreigner in my hometown when I go visiting other family, I do not know how to speak properly and I feel uncomfortable with that moment.
See you in class tomorrow.
ID: 5031006055 Section: 02
Good morning Aj. Matthew :)
ReplyDeleteFrom your answer about "God bless you",i'm very clear about that though.
Well, going aboard is not necessary for me to learn new culture. This is because even in Thailand, we can be a tourist (or foreigner)when we travel to other provinces in Thailand. Different place has different culture. I am the one who love to travel and make a trip within Thailand.
I always learn new culture from those trips.
By the way, CULTURE is all around, it is depends on us that we are willing to learn them or not.
See you in class n' have a nice day :)
ID : 5031006128 SEC : 03
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ReplyDeletewow, I never think that deep for a sneeze! lol
ReplyDeleteby the way, for your question I'll answer that I'm a foreigner when I'm abroad only if you ask me 3 years earlier. Anyway, not for now because I found myself being a foreigner right away when I'm in Chiang Rai for the first time. When I first came here everything seems very slow for me; the way people speak; the way they walk; the way they eat; the way they do their business. Everything is slow, so I seem like every motion of me is freak and not belong here.
However, things went worse for me when I came back home. I again found every motion of mine was freak and not suit for Bangkok because I was too slow! I cannot caught the bus when they stop at the bus stop and not even followed my friend who I used to walk very faster then her.
So, I think people will be a foreigner even in their hometown because each society has their own culture even in the same country.
ID: 5031006063 Section 1
For me I think that If I go abroad I am a foriegner of that place.
ReplyDeleteI will see many new things, people, new language and other.If I want many new experiences I have to go.
If I want to understand it, I have to adapt myself with it.
In my opinion I think that I don't have to act as I am a foriegner when I am in Thailand. When I go to other places I am a stranger or tourist that want to see exquisite or wonderful thing in that place. I just be what I am....
Again I don't have to be another one when I am in Thailand. Thailand has many different cultures that it are waiting you and me touch it by our heart and understanding'''
^______^
ID: 5031006136 Sec. 03
I love Thailand......
Good morning Aj.Matthew..(^_^)
ReplyDeleteThis is good interesting information for me about “Sneeze.” I am Buddhist and I have never known it before. I think this new knowledge is so good for learning because it can make me learn different culture of people.
If I have a chance to travel abroad I will be accept it. I think when I go to abroad it can give me new experiences. I will learn the new culture with different kinds of people.
On the other hand, it is impossible to be a foreigner in my hometown. The reason is when I am living in my hometown it means I live in the same culture that I really know about it.
ID: 5031006218
Section: 02
Good morning..Aj.Matthew..(^_^)
ReplyDeleteThis is good interesting information for me about “Sneeze.” I am Buddhist and I have never known it before. I think this new knowledge is so good for learning because it can make me learn different culture of people.
If I have a chance to travel abroad I will be accept it. I think when I go to abroad it can give me new experiences. I will learn the new culture with different kinds of people. On the other hand, it is impossible to be a foreigner in my hometown. The reason is when I am living in my hometown it means I live in the same culture that I really know about it.
ID: 5031006218
Section: 02
Good afternoon!!! Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteI admit that I have never known before
about this story because I am a Buddhist.
In my opinion, it is interesting story and
have benefit for me .Moreover, I gain
new knowledge about different cultures
as well.
For the question in this week ^^
It difficult to tell you that how far does
someone need to travel to be foreigner.
It depend on journey and trip. In my opinion,
if someone need to travel to be foreigner,
it must less than 3 month. Because, I ever heard that tourist means a person who travel in other countries more than 24 hours but not
more than 3 months. So, I think it depends
on each person and their journey.
If I have a chance to travel abroad, I’m not refuse because it is a good chance to learn about culture in each country. I can know about different culture. Moreover, I think it is impossible to be foreigner in my hometown because,it is my culture that I known it already.
ID: 5031006213 Sec: 02
Hello..Aj Matthew!
ReplyDeleteI have heard this story before but I'm not sure about the reason, Why they do that? In thailand, we also have the belife about sneezing. We think when we sneezing, somebody are thinking of us. However there are the people say that, we sneeze because somebody gozzip or blame about us. I don't know why, but I heard when I was young until nowadays.
About your question, I think I can't limit of the distance that I want to trvel to be a foreigner, because I want to go every where. I means just only 10 kms. from our houses or dormitory, it can be the tourist attraction for us because we does not know, touch,smell, here, or see before. If you ask me do I want to go abroad? I will say yes, because there are many things that I've never seen before. It really challenges me to see and touch by myself. It seems like Thai's word " The ten of mouths less effects than your sight". I really agee of it. For all of my reason, I can tell you that I can be a foreigner in everywhere I have not belong to. I know it from my experience. Actualy, I am from a capital of Thailand, where everything have to herry. There aren't the green fields and the people very worry about their time. For now in the north of Thailand, everything is different. The people are very slow. There are green colour in everywhere. There are many cattles walk in the road instead of the modern vehicle. Thus, I'm a foreigner of this place. By the time pass, I'm familiar with this places. When I come home at the capital city, the first sound in my head is " What's the hell of this traffic? ". There are alot of vehicle and poison gas. People so fast. I think they forget to care about other people in sometime. The teenagers always hangout with their friends while their parents give them moeney and do hard work. So, I'm a foreigner again. It looks like I love to be a foreigner. In the end, I can say that everywhere can make me a foreigner even though my hometown.
Fern
ID:5031006037
Sect; 03
Wow! It’s so interesting for me about “sneeze”. I always sneeze when I was allergic to the weather. Nobody said “bless you” because I’m Buddhist. In this point, it makes me to know that we have different culture. I’m surprising about Christian’s belief. It’s very different from Buddhist.
ReplyDeleteFor your questions, I think when we move or travel to another place in anywhere or anytime, we are foreigner. Moreover, I need to travel abroad very much because it is a good chance for me. I want to get new knowledge or learn new culture from people in each place. I can touch it.
Thanks for sharing information through this blog. I get new knowledge from you.
Have a good day kha.
ID: 5031006217
Section: 02
Ahh...that's very interesting knowladge about the american culture...I know that why people say bless you but I just know that why they have to said that words. thank you very much...Aj.M to tell us about it ^---^
ReplyDeletefor your question that "How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner? Do you need to travel abroad? Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?"
I think everyone have their own dreams which may including to been some place that they are interesting in. That is why they may think about that to become a foreigner once.
So do I, I hope to be a foreigner once also. I have a dream like other people and my dream is I want to going aborad once. If I have a chance to do it...I will not let that chance pass away from me absolutely!!
I think it is impossible to be a foreigner at my home town because I know a lot of thing of my home town such as cultural,language, maner etc. quite well and that is the reason why I can't be a foreigner anymore in here. ^--^"
5031006167 Section 02
it's my first time to know about the culture of weatern. It's really strange for me because my culture isn't care about sneeze. For Chritian's belief, it's big deal to say "God bless you" after someone sneezed.
ReplyDeleteFor the question, anyone who isn't my country or come frome outside of my country I'll call them as foreigner. I want to be foreigner because I want to travel abroad. Whenever someone call me foreigner it's mean I am abroad. it's impossible to be a foreigner in my hometown because I know everything about my hometown. I don't need to learn about my hometown because I already known about it.
5031006169 Section: 02
Hi! Aj. M
ReplyDeleteThanks for the meaning of the belief 'bless you' when people sneeze. I have wondered why Christian always say this phrase for so long. In Thailand, it's so common when people sneeze but we have to put our hands on mounth. I think Thai people don't have belife this way.
For the question...
I think that we can't limit our destinations to go somewhere. Many people have lots of chances to go abroad. Life is journey, life is travel...NO LIMIT!!! If I have a chance to go abroad, I will go and do what I want to do. I'd like to travel as many places as I can go. Sometimes I feel like a stanger in my own home town because there are many places I haven't gone yet. At last but not least, I'm living in Chiang Rai but when I go back to Chaing Mai I always feel like...there is something different. I feel unfamiliar with Chaing Mai because I live my everyday life in Chaing Rai.
I forgot to write my name
ReplyDeleteMic ID 5031006129 Section 3
Hello! Aj.Matthew!
ReplyDeleteI do really like the word "bless you".I also have experience about this word when I went to USA. All the time that I sneezed, my American friends always said to me "bless you".In my opinion this word is very pretty to wish someone. In actually, I think it is not easily that devil will take your soul when you just sneeze. Althought,this word is strange in the ways for saying,I do apprciate my friends that they said to me.
Let's come to your question!
In my opinion, when I go to another country, it is exactly to call me, a foreigner.
Altought, that country is my familiar country, I have no way to be thier citizen.Therefore, it is not strenge to call me a foreigner. Moreover, I myself, I do love travel and enjoy treveling abroad. All the time, I need to go abroad where is new and amazing for me because I would like to see their culture, the ways of life, taste some food and learn new things from that country. I promise myself that if I have a chance and have enough money, I will go travel many countrise as much as I can.
In terms of being foreigner in my own country, I think that it is exactly possible. Especially, someone who had stayed at some country for long period. When we stayed at some country where is different culture or nationality so we had to learn new
thing which will be the familiar thing. Then we come back to our own hometown, we may not accustome to our own hometown so, it is possible to feel like we are the foreigner. Actually,I am quite sure that everything is adaptable if we start to learn and open mind. In the end, the foreigner that we feel will change to be the feeling of the host in our hometown.
In another case, we will feel like foreigner when we go to somewhere in our hometown where is unfamiliar for us. We cannot get into that group of culture. Althought, that place is our hometown, we certainly feel like foreigner.
Thank you and Have a good night!
ID: 5031006096 Sec:03
Hello Aj.Matthew
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for answering my comment.
I'm very appreciated.
I was very confused when I was in USA that why people have to say "bless you".
Anyway,
I think, we don't need to go abroad to learn culture.
I myself live in a small city for almost 21 years which has many ethnic groups.
When I had chance to travel in my city, I acted like a tourist. I feel surprised of some cultures that I've never knew before.
See u in class and hav a great day!!
ID: 5031006105
Hi Aj.Mathew
ReplyDeleteThis night I read a text book for long time.
I will go to bed after sending this message.
Thank you for your question.
I think everyone that go to abroad is the foreigner. When I was 16, I have ever been the foreigner. I went to Singapore for two times. First time, I went to Singapore for exchange the culture with the people in Singapore. Second time, I went to visit my host family. However, I like to travel around Thailand because Thailand is my hometown. I am not the foreigner. I can be the good host for every foreigner.
Good night! Have a sweet dream.
ID: 5031006185
Hi, Ajarn Matthew
ReplyDeleteI’ve just known Christian belief that concern with the sneeze. It is very strange for me. Just for a moment that people sneeze, their soul can be catch by the devil?
However, I understand that each country has different culture.
Thai people also believe about sneeze too. When I was a child, my grandmother told me about sneeze. She said that it is an old belief of Thai culture.
Sneeze for 1 time --> someone is thinking of you
Sneeze for 2 times -->someone is complaining of you
Sneeze for 3 times -->some is abusing of you
Sneeze at the morning --> you will be good luck.
Sneeze at noon--> the opposite sex is thinking of you
Sneeze at night--> you will be surprised
sometimes I believe this culture (just sometime).When my friends is sneezing, I usually tell them about this belif.
However,sneeze just the reaction of body. It's depend on person to believe it or not.
For your last question that “Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?” It is absolutely sure that I could not. Foreigner means to person who comes from other countries and has different nationality. Yes, I could be foreigner if I go to other countries. For example, I’m Thai. I will be the foreigner for American if I go to America. On the other hand, I’m staying in Thailand that is my country. I still be Thai.
ID:5031006189 Section:02
Hi Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteYour story is very interesting for me. I don't know it before. I would like to know something. It's my personal curiosity. I quite wonder about foreigner. When I go to the restaurant, I always see the foreigner to give a tip for a waiter. I don't know that this is their culture or they want to show their kindness. But for me, I never tip a waiter just for a cup of tea. I think for Thai people, they hardly tip a waiter. In my opinion, Thai people seem stingy. haha (just kidding)
For your question, when I go to any places, I am a foreigner because I don't know that place where I believe that when I first arrived everything was new and exciting. I was happy to be in a new places. I want to travel abroad so much. I intend that I try to go to anywhere as much as I can. I love travelling so much. If I can travel abroad, I think it's my lucky day for me.
Have a sweet dream Aj. Matthew. See you in the morning class. It's very early for me to wake up. < (>//< )
ID: 5031006166 Section: 02
Sawasdee Krub!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the story about saying "Bless You" when one is sneezing. It is an interesting story. I will never forget it.
I have something to share. I wonder about "French Kiss". I had experienced something like that. Male to female is fine for me, but male to male makes me feel quite strange. It's not ordinary for me to be kissed by men's cheeks. How do you feel?
For your questions
- How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner?
: I think you'll be foreigner if you travel until you are in new countries, cultures, languages, and races.
- Do you need to travel abroad?
: Yes, of course. I need to travel abroad because I would like to experience new things. To meet diferent people or countries are exciting for me. The more I understand cultures, the more I understand people.
- Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?
: I think it's not possible because no one would feel that I'm a foreigner if I go to somewhere that I've never been in my hometown. I should be called "New Comer". In my opinion, the word "Foreigner" is for a person who is from another countries, cultures, languages, and races.
I hope that my answers would be useful for you. I like to learn about culture. This course is great. Cheer you up!!!
ID:5031006046
Section:1
Hi!!! Aj.Matthew,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for new knowledge about American culture. I think, if I go to America, I will understand the meaning why Americans say “bless you” when I or someone sneezed.
From your questions,
Firstly, I think everybody can be foreigners when they travel to another country. Therefore, distance is not the important factor to decide how we can be foreigners. Anyway, I need to travel abroad because I want to find more experiences and new cultures in each country. Also, I think my English skills will be better if I go abroad. Finally, I think it is impossible to be a foreigner in my hometown because foreigner is a person who don’t familiar with the new place. However, it can be more possible if I am a native in my hometown.
ID: 5031006204 Section: 02
> Sawaddee kaa'
ReplyDeleteHaha..
I enjoyed with all stories and yours so much. For me, if I sneeze for ones,my friends will say"somebody's blaming u!" Haha.. Moreover, Thais believe about snneze,it is the lizard's sneeze.If it sneezes before u will leave,you shouldn't go out anywhere because it's warning of bad luck!!! :(
> Sharing the awswer!
In my opinion, the travel is looking for new experiences and I can be the foreigner because there are lots of things that I do not know about. My travelled tool is smiling. People always think that I'm new here. Haa+
It depend on the attitude of each person, and it must take much time to make people know themselves. .. Is it about you Q? haha+
You methodical teaching is very cool!It's not boring as the titled course!! Thx God! haha+
> ID:4931006049
section : 1
To Pratcito,
ReplyDeleteAbout the French Kiss... as you know, people in countries like France, Spain, and Italy will kiss each other on both cheeks for a greeting: men and women, women and women, men and men... it is very normal. But it is not normal for me. I have a very close friend from France, and when I meet her, I never know what to do, and she also doesn't know. We always have an awkward moment when we meet... she will come to kiss me, and maybe I will move back, but then I move to kiss her... it is very funny actually. So, I think that I feel strange to do it with anyone, men or women. But maybe I should learn to do this more easily.
Asmara 146
ReplyDeleteGood Morning!!!!
I really interested in the artical of "Sneeze" because actually I am Muslim, when i sneeze i will say with myself "Alhum dulillah" the meaning like Christian belief and when sombody hear that they will respon and the meaning as "My God is blessing you"like Christian.
So, Let I share about this week interesting artical too. I think every body can be a foreigner and want to travel around as we want to learn more and collect our great experience as well as to make understand about our diversity in our world. Actually, I really want to travel, to walk around and ask the people because I think when we travel we not only know about the different places but we know the cultural,people characteristic or their behavior as well. So, I think it's very great time that I am going to step on the road, study outside a classroom and to find somewhere which have no any lecture note! I will be a foreigner to travel around the world and I will comeback to share my great experiences for you. Bye bye...See you soon.
Mara 5031006146
Section 03
Hello, Aj.Matthew !
ReplyDeleteThank you to sharing the custom about sneeze. My friend told me that America have this custom but I didn't know why they do it. About sneeze for Thais, if you sneeze three times, it may be have someone gossip you or thinking of you. I don't know why,my just parent told me about it.
-------
For your question ...
How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner?
- I think it may be 1 km. from your house, if you never go outside your house because you will be a strange for your hometown 55+.
Do you need to travel abroad?
- Yes, I need. I want to travel in the countries which have more interesting places and more historical to find out. The first countries which i plan to visit after i have enough is China. I want to visit Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor !!! It is such a big and ecited place.
Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?
- I think it isn't possible to absolutely be a foriegner in my hometown. If you have to go abroad for ten or twenty years, i think you will not forget the customs, traditions, language of your hometown. It may be just a little bit different from people at hometown but it's not at all that makes you to be a foriegner in your hometown.
Phloi, 4931006051
Good afternoon Aj. Matt
ReplyDeleteThanks to share the belief about sneeze.
I think it is impossible to be a foreigner in my own hometown because foreigner is the outlander who travel in another country. If I travel only in my country,I am just the traveler. In the different place in my country also have different culture. So, if I want to be a foreigner I have to travel to another country. And I hope that I will be a foreigner in the future.
However, before i need to be a foreigner, i have to understand about communication as well.
5031006133 sec:03
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteGood evening Aj. Matthew.
ReplyDeleteI did not come to comment for the last blog, it was bad fro me. lol
For this blog, I have an opinion to share with all of you.
To be a foreigner, I think everyone can be a part of it but you have to learn the culture of the place that you will go.
I went to USA for about 4-5 years ago. In that case, I was a foreigner who came from the other country. It was very straight for me. About 1 year, I had learned many cultures which my host family thought me to do. For example, Americans do not use spoon to eat food except soup. But normally I used spoon everytime when I ate. So I asked my host mom to give me a spoon. It was very unusual for them that I used spoon to eat food.
Foreigner is not people who go to other country but I think everyone can be foreigner for their own country also.
When I came here (Chiang Rai), I could not understand what people around me said because the dialog is different.
It is very lucky that I have many friends who come from the northern. So I ask them to teach me how to speak and knew the meaning of the words.
From now, I am a foreigner from central who come to study and live in the northern.
Finally, everyone is traveler when they go to other places.
ID: 503 1006 176
Good evening Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteFor the topic of "sneeze" that you have raised, I think it is very interesting.
When I was in the USA last summer, I was wondering why people keep saying "bless you" when I sneezed. One thing that I know is they said that word with smiling. I think they didn't want me to get cold, so they said "bless you."
It makes me very clear about the words "bless you" when I read your comment. Thank you anyway.
For your questions about being foriegner, I think the distance is not necessary for someone to be a forigner. No matter you will travel abroad or not, you can be a foriegner.
Like what we have discussed in the last class, if we move from one place to another place where we are not familiar with or move from one place to our hometown where we left for along time, there will be some weird feeling that makes us uncomfortable or strange. I do think this feeling are telling us that we are the foriegners.
I'm very glad to shere my opinion about this. I think n the particular place, there are lots of people live together. Almost everybody comes from the different family, place, country or even culture. No matter we are the foriegners for that place or not, the most important thing is the way that we learn to live together happily by learn to understand that differences through the good and understanding communication.
Na-young>> 5031006115
section: 3
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello, Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteFirstly, I want to thank for sharing the great information about ‘sneezed’. I never hear it before even though I am a Christian.
From your questions, I think everyone can be a stranger when they travel, because they will be the foreigners if they go to somewhere that not their place or their hometown. They have to meet something which is not similar, and then they have to learn the new things that they never know. These are the reasons why I think everyone who travels in another places is a foreigner.
Even though, I might be the foreigner if I travel abroad, but I love to. I think it is very important to learn a new thing that I never know.
Moreover, I think everyone could be a foreigner though they live in their hometown. From my experience, when I and my friends went to Siam Paragon, people always looked at us like the stranger, and I did not know why they had to look like that. I thought because I wore shirt and short pants to make me looked like I came from a rural country. Of course, I felt like I came from the outside. Now I think that place is not belongs to me even though I have enough money to pay things (555+).
However, I think everyone could be a foreigner even that place is their hometown.
Have a night dream and God bless you even if you do not have a sneeze ^^
5031006180 Section: 02
Goodday, my teacher.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, everybody need to go aboard for one time of their life. I need to go aboard too, but all of my life, I can not travel all of Thailand. I thought if I will go to some provinces in my country that I never been there before, I will be a foreigner because I do not know the place or I am not a local. Maybe I will lost in there. Ha Ha Ha.
Goodnight teacher, and see you in class.
ID: 5031006023
23.32pm Oh!
ReplyDeleteThe story that you give for us is a new knowlage. I heard like this in the movie and I never find the answer of it.
For your question, I want to go aboard. I cannot say "No". I think many people think like me. I have seen many pictures of other countries, read many information about the people,culture, of each country. I want to travel there.
I think I can be a foreigner in my hometown. I come to study at this university. I got many new cultures, new style of life and many new thing. It may be different from other people in my hometown when I back.
Goodnight ^^ ..zzZZ
5031006005
Good evening! Aj. M
ReplyDeleteThank you for your sharing about sneeze! I used to wonder why American friends always said 'God bless you' when I have sneezed, but I never asked them; I think it might just pattern but now I got it!
For the question..everyone can be a foreigner in any places and everyone can be strenger in any places. People come from different norms, different cultures, different socities; it's normally we are going to be a strenger.
Do you need to travel abroad?
Yess..I want to travel aboard, I want to be foreigner because I want to get new experiences, new friends, new cultures from my journey.
Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?
Yes, it is because when I leaved my hometown for long time, and when I went back to my hometown again. I always felt that I am a strenger; everyone interested in me. They usually look at me like strenger with bad eyesight. I'm really wonder why they often act like that.
5031006170 section: 02
Hi, Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteThanks for your story; it's wicked and it sounds reasonable! It's very nice to get to know a thing like that!
OK, for the answers of your questions. I personally think we all can be foreigners in our hometown, obviously to other people who don't share the same cultures with us. It's no need to travel a far distance in order to be a foreigner. Even in your own family, sometimes you are considered a foreigner. I always like to eat bread not just for my breakfast, also for brunch, lunch and other times and my dad just questions me several times "Are you Farang?". Because of our Chinese culture, my family doesn't eat bread often but I do while others are having noodles (Chinese noodles) or rice as the main menu. This is what happens to me all the time. I become a foreigner in my own home when I just take on doing something different from what my family always does.
I love traveling, I mean, travel to different countries especially Europe and America. I like meeting new people and see differences people uniquely have in common. This is why I'm glad and excited when they are lots of foreigners take their trips to Thailand. They make this country diverse and it's like there are always new things for me to learn, to feel and to earn more experiences from these people and their perspectives.
Enjoy your day
ID: 5031006236 Section: 02
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteOh I see. (about sneezing)
ReplyDeleteGood morning Aj.Matthew *o*
I think I could be a foreigner in my hometown because I have studied at MFLU for 3 years. Here is far away form my hometown and I spend my life here more than my hometown, so when I back home, I feel like I'm a foreigner. Everything look strange. Besides, on summer vacation, I stay at home about three months and when I come back univ, I'm not familiar with university vice versa. lol
By the way, I want to go aboard to find experiences there. I will learn language, make new friends, work, etc. I think it's quite good to go aboard just once in my life. :)
see u in class!
Have a nice day n' weekend
Oops! I forget something.
Today is Friday 13rd. I want to know about this day. Why Christian people afraid of this day. Is it bad day?
thank you.
[NAMFON] ,,099,,sec.3
Hello, Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteI really thank for your story that make me get the new knowledge about the reason why Americans have to say bless you when other sneeze. For your 3 questions, it is very difficult to answer you by writing but I will try to do it.
Firstly, from your question “How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner?? It is impossible that I can specify the distance of travel. The reason why I cannot answer this question because human is voracious.
Secondly, from the question “Do you need to travel abroad?” My answer is I really need to travel abroad. My reason may not be same as other. My reason is I have only a chance that I can live in the earth and I will never know when I will die. Therefore, I have to accept the best thing as much as I can and need to know the different lifestyle of each country. It is the value thing that I can touch the real thing by my mind when I compare with just reading the book. However, it is just my imagination that I need to do. I don’t know that It can be happened or not. If it cannot be happened, I will not be disappointed because I still have the other opportunity. I still have the excellent places in my country for traveling. It does not mean traveling aboard is the best thing, but the best thing is how much you receive and learn new things. Moreover, how much you keep it in your memory.
Lastly, from the question “Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?” My answer is “Yes”. In my opinion, foreigner is not only nationality, but it is behavior. Even though, I cannot travel aboard, I can be foreigner if I go to other places such as Southern, Eastern or Western in Thailand. The reason why I can be foreigner when I go to other places, where is not my hometown, is my culture and other is different. Moreover, not only parts of countries I can be foreigner, but also my family. When I do something that they do not like or they have prohibited, I can be foreigner in their consideration.
Pink 5031006228 Section 02
Hi, Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteWow! A lot of sharing ideas form CCC course, I’m very surprise to see your topic and others comment from my classmate. This topic of this week is >sneeze!<…“God bless you!”, it is a new America culture knowledge which I never knew before. Thanks for your knowledge-Aj. M.
For the question…foreigner is someone who comes from a different country, so whenever you go to another place, you will be a foreigner. You must learn the life style of the country that you stay for survival. o_O!!
Do you need to travel abroad?
Sure, I would like to travel abroad; I like to travel, to meet new people, to find the new experience, to exchange culture, to learn new society, etc. A dream that I would like to be that is a flight attendant. This career is very popular and high business competition in nowadays. Each year, numerous of people try to become a part of aviation business by the reason of well welfares and others, sure this is my dream. I would like to be a flight attendant. >O<
It is possible if you become a foreigner in your own hometown. When you must go to another place, you will be a stranger in that area but it might be not a foreigner. I think foreigner may be refer to another person that come form another country; different language, culture, norm, nationality, etc. So, if you stay in your country but anther place in there, you aren’t foreigner. I think like that. @_@”
Thanks for your kindness na ka, even though I’m come to class a little late. ^^”
ID: 5031006040
Section: 02
Hi, Aj. Matthew
ReplyDelete"How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner?" I think, if I will need to travel to be a foreigner,I must go out to other country. Because of if I go to travel in Thailand, everyone in each province do not know where I come form. Maybe someone think that I am stay in that provice. For the another country, they will know I am a forigner because my characteristic shoe that I come from Asia.
"Do you need to travel abroad?" I never say it NO. I want to travel in many country because in each country has different culture or tradition. I like to travel learn more every things, share the idea, culture, experience or knowledge.
"Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?" I think, it is impossible to be a foreigner in my hometown. Because of I am stay in this place and I will know enough about my hometown that what does it has?
5031006227
SEC: 02
Hi, Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteThank you for your good story for this week.
I think it sound interesting because I have never knew it before :) Your story makes me got new knowledge about the belief of foreigner.
Your question this week is about “how I think about the importance of the travel aboard?”
For my opinion, I think it is a good experience for someone who has a chance to go to travel aboard. The person who has enough maturity and money, it is possible to go to travel aboard. I am just a person from hectic city :( Bangkok is my hometown. I have never gone to aboard before. However, when I pass the test and have a chance to study at MFU, it is my first time that I came out from my hometown. Here is far away from my hometown. I spend my life here more than my hometown and when the summer is coming, I will back home. I feel like I am a foreigner for my hometown. Everything are strange for me and I think I am strange for everything too. =[ it is so bad~
For this week, I glad to share my idea with you. Thank you for your story and see you in next class :D good night na ka
Miss Didtita Kijjaporn (Thank you)
ID: 5031006022 Section: 03
Hi Aj.Matthew
ReplyDeleteThhnk you for your answer. I ever been USA last summer. When I sneeze,I heard that some lady said that "bless you" and she was smile with me too. First time I so confused about the word "bless you". When I asked my friend in USA to get an answer I got the same answer likes you wrote in this blog.
For the next week, you will have a quiz. I will be do it better as I can do. Thank you for a best information in ths week again. Have a sweet dream.
Ms. Parihat Poomthong (If)
IDDD: 5031006048 Section: 03
Com Bong Wa (Japanease greeting)
ReplyDeleteAJ. Matthew des(ka)
I have just finished Japanease class and I'm going to comment your ccc blog.
Your story make me glade and smile because you know, I used to sneeze for 13 times as once.
I often to sneeze and everytime more than 5 times up.After reading your story,Can I start to think the god really bles me?I hope it.
Thank you so much for American culture sneezing share.
For the question
If talk about, tourist or forigner, I quite be jealous them because I haven't money and time to do it right now.They look so happy to see the new thing and difference culture such as food, place, and language.For my idea, it is important thing to do before die because human are borned in the same world they should to visit each other.Especially, Thailand(my country and my best place)I must go in every part of it as much as I can before I have a chance to go abord.
Do you need to travel abroad?
For me, completly need travelling in aboroad, it is the one thing in my dream.Beside in Thailand, I want to be a journeyer to travel in every side of the world.I want to touch with the difference because it make me think(I love to think) when I think after that I will find the answer and try to understand it.It is fun for me."Big world have many things to do" -_-
Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?
My idea is possible if the culture and everything wil be change and people witthin your hometown can't remember you what you are.Not only them, but if you feel disfamiliar from them and your hometown anymore moreover you must change in many things,I thing it is not different to the foreigner or stranger that they must begin to learn and get the new things.
5031006183 Section: 02
From your three questions, the answer can depend on the thought of each person.
ReplyDeleteFor the first question, I think only the first time to travel in the strange place,it means aboard, you can be the foreigner. The reason is when you go aboard, you don't know the culture, norms, pattern and so on. You don't go before. I think these things make you are the stranger.
For the second question, I never go aboard in the west or the other countries that locate so far from my country. But I will go to USA in next three months. I must to learn many things about there. How to live with other people, new place, new culture, new society of USA. I think they can help me to understand USA and apply myself to this place.
For the last question, I think it is not and is possible to be the foreigner in my hometown. It depends on behavior of each person. If someone ever known deeply about hometown, I think she/he is not possible to be the foreigner in the hometown. On the other hand, If someone don't know about hometown, she/he is possible to be foreigner in the hometown. However, the answers can be different because people who come from different thoughts, different behaviors, different culture, different society and so on.
174 Section:02
This article is very interesting because it is belife of Christians. They think that sneeze is your soul doesn't stay with you and devil can catch you easily. But in Thai culture, when you sneeze,they believe that there is someone who are thinking of you. This article can show that diferent country and diferent culture.
ReplyDeleteFor the question "How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner? Do you need to travel abroad? Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?" I think that traveling aboard is new experiences which you can find in your life. Everyone can be foreighner. I have ever to go to aboard(Sweden)in the summer. I can not speak swedish but everyone in that town very friendly with me. So I don't think that I am out group when I live there. It is quite diferrent in Thai people. Sometime we can not talk with someone who doesn't be associate person because Thailand is chaging to be dangerous town so everyone must be becareful themselve too much.
This is all about my opinion with this question. Thank you for a good article and I look forward to read next article.
Have a nice Dream ZZzzzZZZ
Dear Aj Matthew,
ReplyDeleteI have observed myself when I sneeze and it's true that I close my eyes
and do not hear anything. Wow! it's amazing.
Answers of the questions
I have no experience to go abroad, but I want to travel abroad to gain
some wonderful experience and understanding the feeling of being
a foreigner. However, I believe that I can be a foreigner in my own country
if the connotation of the foreigner means a stranger. Absolutely, I can feel that I am
a foreiner when I travel to somewhere that I have never been even if that place is located in Thailand.
I think that they may be able to differentiate who is local people or who is not.
Therefore, being a foreigner in my own country is possible.
Thank you for an interesting question.
5031006093
Hello Aj. M and all the readers.
ReplyDeleteNow, I think swine flu have changed the culture. If I see someone sneezed,I'm not going to waste my time to say anything but hold my breath and run away. Hahaha... ^^
For your questions.
Through our perspective and the others, sometimes we can be foreigners in our own country.
For example, I was in Chiang Mai,my home town and I saw a group of tourists from BKK were walking on a footpath.
How could I know they were from BKK?
It was just the way they dress and walk.
Even though,it was not a huge difference,I live here long enough to see those tiny differences.
They may not think that they are foreigners here,but they are to me.
Another example.
In Thai culture,the belief of respect the
elder often built an unnecessary gap between them.
When I was a 3rd year student,I used to study with 1st year students class ; not only I am a new face for them,but also older than them. And for most Thais,only 1 year older does matter. The class made me felt uncomfortable and felt like I was a foreigner to them with the"Wai"[ไหว้], the"Pee"[พี่] and the over-politeness.
Thank you.
4931006184
Good Morning, Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this story that it make me think, its like the culture of Muslim religion. That, whenever Muslim people sneeze which they talk " Alhumdulinlah" always. The meaning of this word is thanks to God, I think its like that if I am not for got it. May be you confuse that how I know it because I am Muslim. I think the rule of Muslim religion like Chistian religion. However, it still is difference too.
For your quetions
I think that everybody want to go to travel' work ,or study abroad and me too. Moreover, it must spend a lot of money. So, I can not to think or do it because this is the essential importance. However, if I have opportunity,may be I do it.
Yes, absolutly its possible because my hometown is scenery town; Phang-Nga province. It has a lot of tourist attraction. So, this is the thing that attract the foriegner to my homtown.
Yah 5031006193
Hi Aj.Matthew
ReplyDeletethx for share the good knowledge for me. i used to have experience like this before but i didn't know the meaning of it but now i already know from u :) thx again.
well for your queston "How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner? Do you need to travel abroad? Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?"
i think when u go to another places thats not ur hometown u will be a foreigner for people there. If possible i want to travel to every countries in the world and surely i want to go to Canada too. Have u ever seen the x-men origins wolverine? the landscape there was very beautiful and i really like the waterfall that showed in the movie. Do you know the name of waterfal in the movie? i really want to visit it. i also want to visit the Niagara Falls too. i think it possible to be a foreigner in my own hometown too because when ive been to another place for a long time and came back, it feel strange and possible to be a foreigner.
ID : 5031006039 Section 03
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello, Aj.M
ReplyDeleteAt first, I want to tell you. I never hear this story before.
And then, I think about the answer of this question.
"I have a question for the blog this week. How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner? Do you need to travel abroad? Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?"
I think the foreigner is someone who come from different place and different culture. So, I can be a foreigner when I go to some place where has difference place and culture.
Next, I need to travel aboard because I think it is the way to learn difference culture by myself. I never know what is difference culture of difference place from book. Finally, I can be a foreigner in my hometown because Thailand is my hometown. Thailand includes North, South, East, West. there are different. For example, I comes from bangkok but I go to study at Mae Fah Luang University. It is my first time to go to here. I learn different culture a lot such as some food, Northern dialect, transportation, and etc.
I like it. I like to learn it by myself. therefore, I can be a foreigner in my hometown.
5031006135 Section 3
It is very interesting that American would say "bless you" when someone sneezed. It is a polite thing to say to someone when they have sneezed. This likes Thai culture that always say “ Nah-kliad Nah-chung “ for protection the devil or ghost that it would be possible catch or make their babies have illnesses. In my opinion, they are the same belief that can protect and safe the soul from the devil or ghost.
ReplyDeleteFor my answers in this week, first question is How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner? In my opinion, it is only if you have different culture, belief or lifestyle, you are be a foreigner.
Secondly, Do you need to travel abroad? This question is easy to answer that absolutely yes! I would like to travel abroad because I would like to touch and learn many different culture, belief or lifestyle.
Lastly, Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown? This answer is absolutely sure!
For example, I am Thais but I do not know that why Thais always forbid to say “Tiger!” if you walk or stay in the jungle because I may face with misfortune. I am become a foreigner in my own hometown.
Miss Sasirada Thapoen
ID 5031006159 Sec 3
I'm READY for QUIZ!!
ReplyDeletehaha
When I was in America, I asked my friends about this too. They told me that it is the polite way to do like you said, but they didn't tell me why we have to say "Bless you".
ReplyDeleteI have one experince that i want to share. When i was in america, I worked in the fast food shop called "Roy Rogers'" in New York. I always work around 3 pm -11pm. In every friday evening, a lot of traveles came to the travel plaza that i worked. I got so much of order. Sometimes I couldn't do all of orders. My Thai frineds from other shop called "Nathans'" came and help me because her shop had already closed. She was willing to help me, but the manager came and ask her why she was still in my shop. She told him that she wanted to help me because lots of customers came to my shop. The manager told her that don't work with out paying.
I think this is an example of cross cultural difference that i met by myself.
For the questions, how far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner?
I really don't know how far that s.o. need to travel to be a foreigner. I think if I go to other countries, I am already a foreigner.
Do I need to travel abroad?
Yes, I really want to go. I want to go to many countries around the world. I want to go to Canada as well ^^.
Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?
Yes. According to the example that you told us in class, you came to Thailand and you have stayed here for awhile and when you went back to Canada, sth. changed in your hometown. you felt strange.
I forgot to tell you my ID.
ReplyDelete5031006014
^^
Hello Aj.M.,
ReplyDeleteKeeping warm fresh with sunshine day in cool season and many students’ ideas…. It’s such a warm welcome for you ka Ajarn, so Congratulations!! LOL
Oh! There are a lot of comments here. I like reading it. I hope you enjoy reading our ideas concerning with culture as well :) They are like the fiction, maybe? Hahaha :P
So, my classmates and I will continue on observing the blog and writing it every week. I hope you enjoy knowing our culture, as well as we enjoy yours. I am still looking forward to reading new topics and sharing my ideas with you and them.
Anyway, thank you for this new cultural idea about sneezing. I’ve never known it before, but now I’ve already got it from you that it’s Christian’s belief :)
Huh…it’s actually a coincident, I just sneezed. I noticed myself; it’s true that I cannot overwhelm my five senses and I feel tired after sneezing. Is this the cause of losing soul? and should I say “bless me” for myself if no one is beside me right now? LOL
Well, on the contrary, I would like to share Thai cultural idea about sneezing as well. As I am a part of Buddhist, we mostly believe in superstitious or fortune. We think that our life is related to destiny or fate. I will give you the examples here. As other comments said, we sneeze if someone misses you, talks about you, or even blames and gossips you. Also, whether you will have good or bad luck, it depends on your sneezing time – morning or afternoon, or different days of the week. Of course, we also have the soul belief, as well as you are interested in our culture about “Kwan” as mentioned above. Is it right if I would say and understand that it’s like foreigners say “kiss away” in order to wish you will be alright and get recover soon after you fall down or hurt? I am still wondering since I used to hear this word once from my friend. I think I would feel good if he/she soothes and nicely treats me with that word. In my opinion, it is as same as calling soul back “kwan aeuy kwan ma” in Thai. Moreover, Thais also say “Oah Oah Oah Mai Pen Rai Nah” to soothe you as well, and even protecting your baby from devil, parents and others would call their baby “Nah-Klaid Nah-Chung”. Another thing I would to share is that in case of luck, you will have bad luck if lizard greets you in the early morning, or oven black cat runs or passes by you. So, to concern with this idea, however, I am still wondering about “No.13” and “Friday 13th”- what’re about these beliefs? Why do westerners seem to believe them lot? I’ve just got some general ideas of them, but actually not in deep detail. I think this belief is also concerned with good and bad luck though. Also, as mentioned above, word: “kiss away” of foreigners is said to soothe people when they hurt. So, as you are westerner, could you share these with us, please? :) Thanks a lot.
Ms.Tipparat Eiamworawuttikul [Mingming]
ID 503-1006-031 Section 01
Ps. Continue on part 2…..
Continue on part 2…..
ReplyDeleteIt is like a long road that culture plays as a vehicle or main role to bring you in group, to the destination, or even on the right track that human could do. People say that culture can be as a nice topic that hooks them spend a lot of time to talk about it, as well as I post for the long comment here, but right now please come back for your three questions. lol
How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner?
- In my opinion, if foreigner means “stranger” in this case, being foreigner is not necessary of how far the destination or distance is. It depends on your feeling. I think that we can be a foreigner wherever we’d like to go and then we will feel strange with that environment, culture, norm, language, food, and so on. No matter how far it is, you can be a foreigner just only one kilometer such as going to Science major class while we are in English major. So, it depends on our perception: how far our mind accepts and feels familiar with it. But once, if we feel fit in with that environment, we will not be a foreigner anymore. In the other words, however, if foreigner means “outlander” or Thai calls “farang”, we will be a foreigner when we are across the border of Thailand or outside our country. For example, just only “Tah Ki Lek” in Mae Sai, we will be called “foreigner”.
Do you need to travel abroad?
- Of course, Yes, Sure!! LOL. I would say this word because I absolutely want to travel abroad. It’s my dream and I think everyone would go there too. No one will deny it. haha :) I think that travelling abroad could be really awesome and wonderful! I love to gain the nice experience because I will be able to see different cultures of each country and truly touch them by myself. So, if I have a chance, I will take a lot of photos there and keep them in my memory forever. :P
Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?
- As I answered in the first question, it’s possible to be a foreigner in our hometown if foreigner means “stranger”. On the other hand, if foreigner doesn’t mean “stranger”, we cannot be a foreigner in our hometown because we all are Thai even though we are in different parts of Thailand, no matter where we live: north, south, east, and west is fine for us.
Ms.Tipparat Eiamworawuttikul [Mingming]
ID 503-1006-031 Section 01
Ps...Continue on part 3
Continue on part 3....
ReplyDelete"Preservation of one's own culture does not require contempt or disrespect for other cultures." Cesar Chavez
- In my opinion with this saying, I couldn’t agree more with it because I just realize that it is as same as you said and taught us in class about “stereotype and ethnocentrism” idea. However, when people believe one’s own culture is great, they shouldn’t look down others because each culture always has its own terrific identities that are obviously seen by others. Also, we can live happily and peacefully in cultural diversities or called “multicultural society” in this world, as same as I studied in World Community class last year. Teacher taught that even though we live abroad which culture is really different from us, we already know that we are Thai. So, we can live, adapt, or even adjust ourselves to fit in with that culture, but please be keeping our own original. He also brought this saying to talk in class, “Think Globally but Act Locally”. I really love it and this is my experience that I’d love to share. Moreover, these challenge us to preserve our own culture, be able to exchange our culture to others who are different from us, be able to communicate with them understandably, or even be able to live within multicultural society happily. No matter who we are, we are who we are because of others. LOL Therefore, Cross Cultural Communication is properly provided and it is also attracted and useful for all students here.
O_.o Huh… >.< it seems like a very long comment of mine here - -a.
Anyway, I hope you won’t be boring it because there are a lot of cultural aspects that I would like to mention and share in Cross Cultural Communication. Please wouldn’t mind me if I write a lot na ka Ajarn M. Maybe, you will have eye strain after reading my classmates and even my comment here. >0< :P <3
Have a nice weekend and Please Take care of yourself.
See you :)
Ms.Tipparat Eiamworawuttikul [Mingming]
ID 503-1006-031 Section 01
Good evening Aj. M.,
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot for a useful article about a word "bless you" that I have heard from U.S. too.
For the answer of the question, I think that we can be a foreigner in many place that we do not know the culture of that place. So, we do not have to go to travel abroad for being a foreigner. We can be a foreigner in our country too. The easiest example is from our university when I was in here at first time, I could not understand what did Chiang Rai people talk about in dialect. It means that I'm a foriegner here. Now I can understand it better but not at all.
Hope to get a good idea from your more and more Aj. M.
Peace
ID:5031006117
Hi! Aj.Matthew!
ReplyDeleteI wondered long ago why they said “bless you” when people sneeze, you reveal my question. Thank a lot!
For question, I think that everyone could be a foreigner in their home. From my direct experiences in travel, I usually am a foreigner in my hometown. Why? It is because of I always stay at home and do not want to travel in my own hometown. It is weird?
When I traveling abroad or other provinces. I am enjoyed to travel any places. It could be I do not interest in my hometown?
I think everyone thinks that anything that far from them are precious, even those are rock. Although their have jewel in their mountain but they ignored it. They are accustomed to them and bore. Everyone have an adventure instinct, want to know anything new.
I love to travel a lot! I dream to travel around the world but I should travel in my hometown first. If I can, I will travel around Thailand first, and collect my experiences in those places before vanish by global warming disaster.
I love Thailand and want to see that with my own eyes. See you next topic, thank.
Win ID:5031006173 Section 2
Ps. I think Canada is more remarkable places. Could you share your experiences in those places for us?
Hello, Aj.Matthew
ReplyDeleteI think Sneeze..."God bless you!" is the interesting topic and i never heard about this story before.
For the question, I need to travel aboard but I don't have a chance. I think all people are foreigners if they go to the different places.
In each place has cultural identity and we should know and learn it before go to that
place.
I think we can be the foreigner in our hometown. I have felt like the foreigner when I am first year student. I come from the southern part of Thailand surely, the culture, living, and local language in south and north are different. I know I cannot speak my local language with the northern people, especially, food. I eat hot and spicy food but northern food quite tasteless. I have to try it and adapt myself. It's quite hard to live in the new place. I felt I am a foreigner.
Now, I can adapt myself. ^____^
Nan...........066 Sec.01
WOW!! This is such an interesting and surprising thing to know. I’ve never heard about the original custom of saying “Bless you” when someone sneeze before!! I do agree with you that not many people actually know about this truth because I am one of the people who think that saying “Bless you” is only the polite thing to say in western culture.
ReplyDeleteI think when people say bless you it is not only a polite thing to do, but also it shows that you are concerned and caring about people who are around you. I did experience this when I was with my foreign friends. I felt really good when they say “Bless you” because it made me feel like I had people who cared about me. The feeling is different when nobody says anything when you do sneeze. I had been in both sides so I could tell the difference. However, I only feel the difference with foreigners. We do not have this kind of custom in Thai culture so it is very normal if no one says bless you when you sneeze. I guess I expect to hear it from foreigners when I sneeze, especially if they are my friends. I do not know why I always a little bit disappointed when they do not say it lol. I wonder how many foreigners would say bless you all the time when someone sneezes, maybe not so many.
Hum…after I read some of my friends’ comments, I thought about what Thais always say when you sneeze (I completely forgot about those haha). I am pretty sure that you already know as what have been mentioned above. Strange but true, when I sneeze I only think that somebody is talking about me or gossip about me. Rarely, I would think someone misses me :(
I, sometimes, am pessimistic.
Let’s talk about the question of the blog this week, how far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner? Most of people would think that being a foreigner you have to be out of your home country. I used to think like that too, but after I learned in your class it changed my view. You can be a foreigner in any place. Even in your hometown, your school, new places that you’ve never been within your country, or in a group of people. If you are in the place that nobody knows you, places that people talk or act differently from where you were before, I think you would feel as a foreigner. Nevertheless, the process of being a foreigner takes just only a period of time because the more you spend time at that place, the more you feel like one of the people there.
That is all I have for sharing with you. Hmm...Today is really hot, don't you think? It should be colder than this, too hot for winter :( Sometimes I wonder what season it is. Winter or summer. Global Warming!!! Arrr!! I should go taking a shower now; it is getting late. Wake up early tomorrow.
See you in class on Tuesday. Hope I'll pass the quiz ^^
Sweet dream na kha Aj.
ID 503-1006-013
Section 01
Hello Aj.M
ReplyDeleteI'm really pleasure to hear people say
"God bless you or GBU."
it's a good words in my feeling and I think in others too.
it's not only say GBU just sneeze time for christians(me too). But, all the times we can show our careness for people on the earth by asking for God. It's the expression that come from our heart and show the love between one's world mate.
Turn to your question..
I'm in my own hometown and don't think that I'm the other or the foreigner for Thais. Actually, I can get along with other easily and I can adapt myself to people in the same
nationality, culture and language. So,I can't call myself "the foreigner"
on the other hand,If I travel to abroad,
absolutely I will be stranger for native
people in abord. It's quite difficult for adaptation in terms of the culture, the way of life in the new environment that I have to accept. This my idea can be called "the foreigner"??
I think it's normal to think that people in a country will be the foreigner in another
country. But I'm wondering,how is it possible to be a foreigner in my own hometown? it's up to our opinions and ideas to think in the
different ways. and what do you think??
Have a good dream -_-Zzz
God Bless you Aj.M
M Y M I N T
ID:5031006062 sec.01
Good evening, Aj.M
ReplyDeleteI have never heard this story before. I think “bless you” means “good bye”. Wow!! It is new knowledge for me. Thanks a lot.
Thank you for the question. Foreigner refers to anyone who is not in his place either inland or abroad. For example, I am in Bangkok, Thailand but I am a foreigner when I am in Chiang Rai, Thailand because I am the different. I do not know anyone, do not understand the native language, and I do not know their culture. Therefore, I very agree that it is possible that I will be a foreigner in my own hometown.
Yes, I need to travel abroad.
...You are so smart, Aj.M ^^"
MissTreerat Lertouran
ID: 503 1006 030 Sec.01
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHello =) Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeletefirst of all, thank you for your interesting Christian’s belief =) that i have never known before about 'God bless you when someone sneezed' =)
it's pleasure to share a little about our Thai's belief. There are also lots of Thai's belief too;example, in the contrast when you sneezed, we belief that someone is missing you or gosipp. Furthermore, We don't say they're so cute ('Nra rak'- Thai's word) to a baby who just was born because the ghost will take a baby away. When a baby was born, we always say 'Nra Rak Nra Chung' for bless the holy to protect a baby. =) =)
After i've read the question, i ever might thought that 'foreigners' are who come from another country and speak another language. Nevertheless, i've a thought Yes! we can be a foreigner in your own country. Being foreigner, it's not necessary to go far away from your hometown, outside your own country or even go to abroad.
i think that 'foreigner' likes who doesn't get use to that places, languages or even situations. I overall from a small to large point. For example, When you go to the neighbour or next door, and you don't exactly know how do culture, language or even religion they are;therefore, it means that you are foreigner.
One more point of view, if you live in Northern and down to southern of Thailand, i believe that you are foreigner.
i'd love to learn any cultures because we will have communication with people around the world; therefore we should know about their culture as well.
^____^ Luck me! i'm Thai and live in Thailand was located in Asia. And I ever have been both of America and Europe thus i know how different they are as much as i know even though it's a little bit but at least I knew that.
PS, i love that quote and i do agree with. So do i. ^________^ ( smiling)(smiling)=)
Alice or AorAir =)
ID 5031006006 Sec. 01
Thanks for telling the interesting story to us. It is the new knowledge for me.
ReplyDeleteAbout your question, I think that being the foreigner, It doesn't mean we need to travel in aboard or whether live in the different place apart from our home town. We can be a foreigner in our own home town when we have the culture, thought or any ideas that might be different apart from people who live in the same town with us.Absolutely, the people who travel aboard when they live there they might feel that they are out off the group,so they try t learn a new culture for getting in the group. However, when they come back to their home town, their thought and culture will be chaged following the new culture that they have learned.
ID: 5031006071
sec: 01
Good afternoon, Aj,Matthew
ReplyDeleteI always see that in the movies. It's a very kind culture of western to do that. But actually in Thailand, we didn't do that but sometimes we say "Please keep your hand close the mouth".
I used to internship at the Siam pura resort at Pattya. I was very surprise when I went to the toilet. Chinese people didn't close the door when they were....(you can guess.). Oh my god!
My name is Chariya Sawangsri ID 5031006010
ReplyDeleteI have never heard this story before. It is very interesting for me. At least, when I go to America, I will not wonder when someone say "bless you" to me. If I have not read this story, I certainly get confused. Thank you for sharing a good idea.
For the question, I think that foreigner means someone who comes from other country including neighbor country like Cambodia, Loas, and also Burma. However, most of others' idea, they may think foreigner means somebody who come from Eastern or Farang.
For the second question "Do you need to travel abroad?" Actually, I need to travel abroad but not in Europe; I prefer travelling in Asia. I perfer travelling in Japan or maybe Korea.
For the last question "Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?" It is impossible to be a foreigner in my hometown. If I travel in Thailand, I can be only a traveller, not foreigner even if I go to other provinces that is not my hometown.
Good afternoon Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteHow are you doing?
For the word "bless you", it is my new knowledge from the Christian's believe. For Thais, i really don not know that when people sneeze means but i guess some of my friend can tell you.
Let's start with you first question " How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner?" The need to be the foreigner, i think everyone want to visit another country at less once in their life. therefor i cannot specific about how long do people need to travel. Everybody have their own limit of time, money, health and etc. to travel.
"Do you need to travel abroad?"Yes,I do. I need to travel abroad. i need to see another side of the world. i want to see the difference of culture; art, believe, geography and more. The difference is excited me.
The third question, Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown? Yes, It is. i think i can be a stranger in my hometown because if i leave my hometown for long time, everything will change. When i come back to my city once, i may lose the place that i used to go. People may forget me (i change). I must to learn the new thing at my hometown. Anyway, I will not forget the picture of my hometown that i used to live.
5031006194 sect: 02
(fai)
Good afternoon Aj.Matthew
ReplyDeleteThanks for the new knowledge. I have never knew before. It's very interesting for me.
For the question, I think the foreigner means people who come from another countries for traveling, studying, and finding the new experience. Surely, I need to travel abroad like others.I want to meet new culture, new friends, or new experience. And the last question, I think if the place that you do to travel use the same language like you, it means you are not the foreigner.
Miss Kulawadee Phunthana
ID: 503 1006 008 Section: 01
too much comments.. but all are cool.
ReplyDeletei found that there are a lots of different idea. i love to read..
there will be a quiz in our next class. A QUIZ FOR 15% which is much.. i tried to read and learn more for quiz... i hope i can do it...
116 SEC:3
Good Evening Aj. M.
ReplyDeleteis it too late to answer your blog?
Actually, before i acess in your blog, i sneezed three or four times because of allergy. I never heard about this American's culture before. Thank you for your good sharing ^___^
About your 3 questions;
- In my opinion, when I steps out from the house, I am a foreigner because I going to faced with a new culture. To be a foreigner is no need to go to abord, just some place that you unfamiliar with, you can be a foreigner. As myself, I was born Bangkok but now I live in Chaing Rai for study. Even we are speak Thai but in different dilect and the culture are not the same so, I am foreigner in Chaing Rai. Therefore, I can be foreigner in my hometown.
172 ,,,, Section. 02
Thanks for sharing your stories.
ReplyDeleteabout your questions
How far does someone need to travel to be a foreigner?
- Until the end of journey. :)
Do you need to travel abroad?
- Yes of couse, i wish to travel all around the world (if i have enough money)
Is it possible to be a foreigner in your own hometown?
- Yes, we can be a foreigner even in our hometown or some situations that we cannot get along with.
5031006072
I ever heard about this before "God Bless you"
ReplyDeletebut I never do that and no one use to do that to me too.
This belief is similar to one of Buddhist's belief. People always says "Kwan auey Kwan ma"
when someone sneeze or "kwan sia" as Aj.M has said above.
Anyway, if you go aborad, you will be a foreigner and find that each country have their own culture: ceremony, language, custom and beliefs.
Although, some of cultures is not reasonable at all but you should not disparage to that culture.
If you are a foreigner at that town, you should accept and following that culture.
Actually, if you go aborad, you will be foreigner immediately.
I never been aborad so I never be a foreigner
and I never been a foreigner in my hometown for sure.
Id:5031006229 Sect:2
Good evening!!! Aj.Matthew
ReplyDeleteThis culture is very interesting for me.^_^
I wish to travel around the world such as Japan and China. I like to learn new culture. I love cute culture of Japan and I like old culture and good tradition of China. I can be a foreigner in many places because it isn’t my country and I should learn how to be a good foreigner and how to get along with them.
Thank you for good information. I like this article.
Miss Metta Noionpo Mickey 5031006068
I came back home last semester and I saw many things have changed. I drove my motor bike around and it ran out of fuel, so I headed to gas station that I ever known. When I arrived, I just saw only ruined area with many trees are growing up. I leave home just only six month and I could make a joke with driving to ruined gas station and filling fuel.
ReplyDelete5031006086 is the owner of the last comment (sodsai_007). Sorry for my mistake.
ReplyDeleteGood evening Aj.Matthew and ma lovely friends^^.
ReplyDeleteI have never heard this story before like many people. I think this belief is very interesting and it is the new knowledge for me.^^
I think we can be foreigners not only when we travel abroad but also when we travel to another places where we are not familier with. I have never been abroad but I would like to travel around the world if I have chances. I love to travel because I can learn many new things for example cultures, languages, customs, traditions, and etc.
I think we can be foreigners in our hometown and I also have this expereince when my family moved from the South to the North-East. First day at new high school made me be a foreigner because most of students in my class are local people. They use local language wich call Tai-Loei. I do not understand what they are talking. It made me be a foreigner and outgroup person. Moreover, I'm not familier with their food and their culture. I tried learn their food, culture and practice Tai-Loei local language until I can be an ingroup person within three months.^^
This is my experience about being a foreigner in my hometown and outgroup.
Hope it's useful for everyone.
5031006078 Pompam
Good evening Aj. Matthew
ReplyDeleteAlthough I have ever studied at Christian school, this belief still is a new knowledge for me.
I have ever heard the word "bless you" from watching movies and reading books but I don't know the real meaning about western culture. I always have a question in my mind why foreign like saying this word. I think that it shows the different belief between Buddhist and Christian.
Importantly, I think this course will be useful for whoever study about it. Every tradition and culture is not the same, but we can learn and adapt others to make our culture sustainable.
Your sincerely
Lak-5031006101
section 3
Good evening, Aj Matthew.
ReplyDeleteHow was your weekend? Is it great?
for me this weekend was great! Yesterday I saw 2012 the end of the world movie. it is a greatest movie that I ever seen. I love this movie, especially John Cusack a actor in this movie.
OK. come back to your story and your question.
you know I like your story. It is a good example about culture. When I heard foreigner said " God bless you" when they sneeze. I so wonder. Why a west people or Christian people always say this this. Actually it is not only when they're sneeze, but when they feel afraid or feel shock. they must say anything about God. May be it is a belief. may be they belief god will help them form everything like a evil. For me I'm a Buddhist, so I'm not understand that their do, but it doesn't mean I don't believe or disdain about that. Actually I think it is about polite more than belief.
Last holidays I went go to Singapore. I stayed there around 3 weeks. I so happy. I love this country. It so clean and comfortable and safe. It makes me can answer your question about " Is it possible to be a foreigner" I think it can be. If you stay anyplace that not your house or your hometown. Anyplace that different from you know. Even though it is a your country, but if it different just little from your familiarity. It will makes you feel alone or be a foreigner in your own country. For me I never feel be a foreigner in my country but I felt it when I went to Singapore. It makes me know that even if in the other country will be better than our country. however our hometown is the best.
Name: Panyisa (wai)
ID 5031006160 Section2
Hello........ Aj. Matthew ^^
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing a good knowledge about sneeze. It is very interesting for me because I never know it before.
Well, I would like to share the one of belief in Thailand for you all. It’s the interesting story from my grandmother. Have you ever heard about “Kwan?” Many Thai elder person always say “Kwan ur-ie, Kwan ma” when you’re frightened, scared or cry. They believe that everyone has 32 “Kwan.” If “Kwan” is gone away—you must be frightened. Therefore, we must say “Kwan ur-ie, Kwan ma” for call “Kwan” back.
I don’t think Thai people actually know about this. We always wonder why our grandmother says like that however, we know that is a consolation and concernedness with love.
For the question about being a foreigner, I never go abroad however I always feel like I’m a foreigner in my hometown, Thailand.
Once, I had a change to go camping with volunteer club. We went to survey the school for helping poor children on the mountain at Terng, Chieng Rai. I saw many children there. They whispered and laughed with their friends. Also, they looked at me like a stranger. At that time I was the foreigner in our country.
I don’t want to feel like that… what should I do?
At that time, I understood why the children did and felt like that…
Then, I tried to communicate with them and learned their culture. At first, they’re very shy but they became my friends after we played football together. Spot can make friends; it is absolutely true.
I think that distance is not the factor to make someone to be a foreigner. It is quite not necessary that we will be the foreigner if we’re going abroad. Anywhere and anytime you feel that you’re “other” I think you are the foreigner.
However, the time or some activities can change the word “others” to “us.” It is because we’re learning and communicate each others from the different culture.
Have a nice dream ^^
Good-day!
ReplyDeleteThis is a kind of Australian greeting. Is it turn to be their culture or it is just their way to pronounce sound? I think we may to find out why Australians always end up the word by -ay?
I have been thinking to what am i going to write to this this topic? Finally I finished by writing about think that i have discussed in class in the other day. It is about I can be a foreigner even though I am still in my home country. I could be happen especially when I move to live in a new location. I believe that new place and people influence us to change. It might not change us totally but it is still changed and feeling is changed.
This is my own experience about being foreigner in my hometown.
Although I am not out off the country, I am able to be a foreigner. I believe we could change into where we live. Even though I rose by my family culture but life started to change when I move to where there is no family. Since I have moved up to Chiang-rai for university, I always feel strange when I go back to my home-town. I usually say or even complain about people around to why do they do this or that? In spite of that, I have heard that they also have question to things that I have done differently; for example, I used to have very hot and spice food but now I could not, and I used to visit and hung out with my neighborhoods while in this day I prefer to stay at the house. Indeed it makes me feel much more foreign especially when I have to attend family reunion. There is only a few cousins that I know but the whole family know me through my mother.
I remember while I was with my grandmother in October. We talked as usual as we have been, but at this time there was some strange words come from me. It was not strange for me but for my grandmother it is. It is because of I use English word thus she did not understand. I had to explain to what I meant to that conversation. I am not try to be a foreigner but I think I get into it(English) since I have started to use with friends. Then every time when I visit my grand mother, I always consider to every word that I will speak to her. Besides I cannot be a girl who loves to go to where people are because I am satisfy to stay at the house either by myself or with my marvelous family.
Have an awesome week! 4931006022
This was so excellent for me to read. There are so many experiences, ideas, and stories shared here, and I appreciate you all very much. Thank you so much. This is great cross-cultural communication happening here.
ReplyDeleteIn term of culture, I think distance is not the problem of travel. Everyone can be a foreigner if he/she starts to travel in the different places and diferrent cultures.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, traveling abroad is the one way to learn new culture in the other places. I think it is not possible to be foreigner in my hometown because I already know the place and culture.
Worachak 5031006076 Sec.3
I love travel.
ReplyDeleteI went to travel abroad for many times.
Mostly, I went with the travel agency. It is fun, but the time was set as a schedule. t is like you are traveling step by step.
So, i promise to my self "when i graduated i will travel by back pack in forienge cuontry".
it will takes time for a monuth or a year.
For the question, i think everyone can be the foreigner in every day because in every day you are meet the stranger. Stranger is like the foreigner because you may think they are strange and you can nit communicate with them.
ID4931006218
My point, I think that it’s not far to do this, if we dare to start it. Everybody can be anything as they wish. Even if it might be difficult to do, we need to learn and try it. Traveling to be a foreigner needs to learn many things like where the place is, how to stay there, problems, etc. For example, we need to look for the place’s information and think of what should do or not. Suppose that you are a foreigner who travels to Thailand. You need to learn Thai culture as the basic information in order to understand and avoid any problems. This will be helpful to you. Being foreigner is very challenged and experienced in traveling. Learning from environments and experiences will be valuable. One thing which is very important is language and communication. It makes you know and understand the other culture. However, a foreigner needs to learn about your goals before doing first.
ReplyDeleteChanupong Mangkalad 5031006139 Section 03.
I've heard about after someone sneezed, and then there are someone tell you "bless you". Anyway, I don't know why they have to say "bless you" after someone sneezing. I think these is a new cutural knowledge why did they say like this. It's very useful for me very much.
ReplyDeleteIn Thai society, I think some of them ever heard about sneezing that when you sneezed for two time continuously, there are someone miss you somewhere. It's just a belief that teenager think like this.
For the question above, it's not far to be a foreigner in other country because we are a stranger and other for that country. I think travelling aboard is definitely attractive for everyone because we can gain more experience, knowledge, culture, or even entertainment. Sometimes, we cant get these experience in our own country, so travelling aborad is adventurous and challenging for me very much.
^___^
Paweena:5031006049
Oh what a very interesting story. I've never knew this before! Thank you for sharing it :)
ReplyDeleteAbout the question, I think you can be a foreigner even you are in your country! I was born in Bangkok; now I live in Chaing Rai where I'm a foreigner . Both of these 2 provinces are in Thailand. I've to learn many new things when I first came here; for example, northern dialect. I'm totally a foreigner!
Lin 503 section 3
Aj.Matthew
ReplyDeleteI knew this story because I went to USA. I was sneezed my friend said bless you, and then I asked he why you must say about that. He told this story to me. First question, I thing, the foreigner is not Thai people, they came from another country, or they do not have both father and mother are not Thai people. Second question, of course, I need to travel abroad because I will see the differentials culture each country and I will see something, I never seen before. Last question, I do not thing so because I born in here. Therefore, I am not foreigner in my hometown.
Patcharawan Chuenchai(Melon)
ID: 4931006267
Section:3
Good afternoon Aj. Matthew.
ReplyDeleteAccording to your topic, I did not heard these story before so It makes me quite surprised. Thank you for new knowledge.
I have belief like these too. When i was first year student, my friend tell me about surprised belief which i never heared before.
She said that when you step on other people's feet, you must touch them back. The reason is for avoid love triangle. People who step on other people's feet will catch lover from people who get step on.
However, I did not believe in these story. What about you?
Noppanat 5031006036 Section 3
Does your avowal get in the way of your ascription?
ReplyDeleteIs who you want to be a problem for who you are supposed to be?
Yes. I think that my avowal gets in the way of ascription. I know myself that what I am and what I am doing. My ascriptions are family, university, and Thai society like this. So, I follow the rules and my roles in each status. Sometimes, it is might be difficult to do, but this is the suitable way to do. Actually, I don’t want to be problems or conflicts with others; however, I sometimes do. For example, I don’t want to wear a helmet when I ride a bike on the road. Another like I sometimes leave my motor license at home when I ride motorcycle to downtown. I know this is really terrible to me and my mother, especially, when the police ask.
Thank you for your questions. Have a good day and night.
Chanupong Mangkalad 5031006139 sec.03
In my opinion, distance is not the answer to be a foriegner. I could be a foriegner whenever I felt that I was not belonged to the place. I don't think travel aborad is the only way to make me a foriegner. From my experience, it is possible to be a foriegner in my own place if/when I have different attitudes or believes from others.
ReplyDelete4931006010
I am not sure that you will check this comment or not :) because it's so late.
ReplyDelete"kwan auey kwan ma." I also love it. My grandmaother always said to me when i faced something unusual.
Of course, i love traveling.
Being backpacker is my style. I would like to go abroad (if i have enough money)
I love open map and plan my own trip.
Being backpacker, i can spend my real own freedom.
NamThip
ID 5031006090 Section 03
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete