นาตาลี

นาตาลี

I think that’s my name in Thai.

You don’t want to know how long it took me to find those characters on the keyboard.

And you’re probably wondering why I lived in Thailand for 6 months and didn’t learn how to write my name until this very moment.

Good question.

I just spent the evening cooking Thai food and Thai dessert but catching up on very little of my Thai homework. We’ll see how that unfolds bright and early tomorrow morning…

Thai? Mai dai!

People often ask me how my Thai is after 4 months in Thailand. I’m sorry to say that it’s virtually non-existent.

Before you get too judgmental you should know that Thai is a tonal language – mid, low, falling, high, and rising – meaning that you can say one word five different ways and it will mean five different things! The script is also completely different from the English alphabet, which is why I had no way of knowing that my papers requesting a 3 months visa (which were written entirely in Thai) were addressed to the Thai Embassy in Laos…and I was in Singapore.

I’m not taking Thai classes and I work in an English-speaking office, however I can say say a few words, such as faith, hope, joy, love, pray, and God bless you, thanks to my friend Rose. And I can also say something rude that got quite the reaction at a recent dinner outing, thanks to my friend Gigsy. But other than the most basic expressions, common courtesies, and a few numbers, I really can’t say much.

Suffice it to say I had too much confidence when I was in the bathroom at the Asia Hotel yesterday, because when the woman washing her hands beside me asked if I could speak Thai, instead of saying “mai dai” (cannot) I said “nit noi!” (little). HA! What I learned: my version of “little” is vastly different than hers.

She got pretty excited and startled rambling for the next minute. I had no idea what she was saying. But there was this sliver of hope in me that believed if I concentrated really hard, then maybe I would be able to pick up on something, anything. But unfortunately faith, hope, joy, love, pray, or God bless you were not a part of her dialogue.

The lady paused expectantly for a response. I shook my head and spoke gently, “I’m sorry. I don’t understand.”

“You’re face,” she said in English.

Uh oh. I thought, as my mind went into overdrive. What about my face? It’s fat? Chubby? Round? Is she going to pinch my cheeks? Brace yourself, Natalie! Of course this would be the first thing I think of when I live in a country of (mostly) thin people who tell me “no size for you!” when I rifle through the clothing racks at the market.

“You’re face,” she continued (as I held my breath), “is beautiful.”

“Oh!” I said, exhaling. I brought my hands together in a prayer-like fashion and gave a slight bow. “Khopkhun ka!” (At least I have “Thank you” down!)

She walked away, and I wondered what else she talked about besides my face during our “conversation.” Next time I’ll refrain from being over-zealous when it comes to my Thai language skills. “Mai dai” is the way to go!