If you let, your days will be covered with "Smile - you're in candid camera" moments. Guaranteed for example at the Coldstone ice cream shop, where the employees will dance and sing "Twinkle Twinkle Candybar" or "Go Banana" songs when tipped "for fun well done". What else could you expect from a shop where the ice cream portions have names like Berry Berry Berry Good or Germanschökölätekäke?
The fun in and of the city actually begins with name of the city. Bangkok is only a name used among Farangs. Whereas Bangkok would be translated as "Village of Wild Plums", the name Thais use is Krungthep, the City of Angels. This being still only a shortening of the real name: The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city (of Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn. I prefer the shorter versions as well, either one.
The typical thai "may pen ray", "never mind, it's all ok" - attitude shows in everything. Thais take it easy. Napping is allowed anywhere. Buses will stop between the official bus stops when wanted. You'll here no complaints when taking out your own bottle of water or a snack in a restaurant's area. Rules and people are equally flexible. They are not there to annoy you, even when they do. (And the people will apologize for that if they notice.)
I suppose the laid-back attitude is mostly due to the buddhistic religion where charma, destiny, plays an important role. In the minds of the thais it seems to affect the life in a broad spectrum. Why use a safety belt in a car or obey any traffic rules, for it something was meant to happen it will anyways? Why not cross the railway although the train is fast approaching, when there still is a chance of making it cross to the other side without getting hit by it? Why not pack the pick-up full with people going to the same place anyways instead of each using their own car and worsening the already bad traffic jams? Why worry so much? May pen ray.
I've never heard of a person got ill after eating in any of the widely visited street food "restaurants". I often order my som tum from a lady selling it on my street which is likely among the busiest anywhere - and noisiest and dirtiest. It only makes my stomach swirl because I tend to order it with too many chilis even to my taste...And I'm still of the opinion that there is no better service than getting a fresh pineapple peeled and cut into pieces for you, put in a small plastic bag - avot, there is the best snack possible ready to be eaten on the way home. Second best option being a fresh smoothie, of berries or of fruits, either way always tasty and soooo refreshing. Nam! Thais know how to enjoy life, why stick to strict eating times or places or customs when life and so many healthy delicacies can be enjoyed where ever, whenever?
Life seems to be enjoyed here, enjoying life has been made easy here. Where the car horns and traffic noices let, one can hear people laughing and joking. Even some of the annoying things make me laugh too - like the police or guards guiding the traffic, waving their hands like mad men and constantly blowing to their whistles. Hurts your ears, helps nothing. But they are into their task with the fullest devotion, a funny sight indeed!
It's the people themselves that are the most fun. I've always loved sports but never had such a laugh during the training as during any class here. Fun and efficiency fit well together!The pineapple man is not the only one whose wide genuine smile fills my heart with joy. There is a long list that could be made. Taxi-drivers in their colourful cars, the old tower vendor on my home street, the guards at home and work, the guy making delicious som tum in our office building's food court....just to begin with. Days in Bangkok are filled with smiles.
One of my favorite wonders and an enormous joy on the streets are people's outwear-stylings. Shoes are anything from glitter high heels, flip-flops decorated with plastic fruits or animals and ballerinas of colours most unimaginable. Miniskirts and miniminiskirts, more than often (too often) made of worst-than-eighties-flower prints and laces. The streets are filled with one-of-a-kind fashion and dull school uniforms - and with pyjamas. Mightn't see them on catwalks but shouldn't miss the sight of teddy bear or hello kitty pyjamas on the streets of Bangkok.
That's Bangkok, a city where you shouldn't worry too much. Eat what you like, wear the clothes that suit your taste (but please wear some despite the hotness for I mostly despite the shirtless farang-tourists) and enjoy a ride on any of the many vehicles making up the public transportation. Just as surely as the sun will shine again tomorrow the people will stay kind, nice and polite. Smile and get a smile. Laugh and let laugh.
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