A phrase that one often hears in Thailand is 'mai pen rai'. If you ask a Thai to translate it you'll probably hear it means 'cool heart' which is nothing like what we mean when we say cold hearted. Rather it is much more like 'don't get your undies in a bunch' or 'don't sweat it'. There is great value placed on calm demeanor and not getting angry or upset which causes you to lose face. It seems like this is very fundamental to Thai culture. It can create something of a lackadaisical attitude.
This casual attitude is evident at school. Even while a teacher, or the principal himself, is addressing the students in assembly it is obvious that most students are not paying attention. In addition the teachers who are not leading sit at a table nearby an visit loudly with each other. Students and teachers wander around the premises while classes are in session. Usually while I'm teaching there are a cluster of students from other grades standing outside the door watching. A bell rings to begin the day and again after lunch but other than that classes run an our more or less. Students not listening? mai pen rai Students wandering around? mai pen rai Class not start on time? mai pen rai
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