You know you've been in Thailand too long when…

Random picture at Mae Salong, Chiang Rai

You know you've been in Thailand too long when...

1. You want to wai everyone you’re introduced to (a wai is a greeting where you place your hands together with your finger tips pointed in an upward position, sometimes touching your chin)

2. You automatically take off your shoes before entering a building

3. You think it’s mandatory to take at least two showers a day, one in the morning just after you wake up and one before you go to bed. Sometimes, on really hot days, 3 or 4 showers may be necessary.

4. You’re strongly offended by the smell of someone who hasn’t showered…or just stinks.

5. You wear long-sleeve jackets/sweaters on sunny days because you don’t want to get burned or your skin to get dark

6. You eat rice or noodles for every meal

7. You don’t own a dryer because you hang your clothes out in the sun

8. You think it’s ridiculous to pay more than $1.00 for a meal

9. You keep baby powder on-hand in case you start to sweat a lot

10. You keep toilet paper on hand at all times

11. You’re actually surprised to see Western-looking toilets, toilet paper, and liquid soap in a restroom

12. You have a difficult time expressing yourself because you have at least 2 languages (and two different thought processes) in your head

13. You wake up extra early to get housework done before the sun comes out and it gets scorching hot and unbearable (that is, if you don't have a maid who will do that for you)

14. You look four ways before crossing a one-way street

15. You aren’t surprised to see a family of five on a motorbike anymore

16. You think it’s a luxury to go to 7-11

17. You think it’s a luxury to go to McDonald’s, Burger King, Subway, or have anything that resembles Western food in a non-Thai way

18. You’re startled and the first words that come out of your mouth are a-rai-ni-ah (lit: what this)!

19. You are always consciously aware of what you’re doing with your feet in case you offend someone

20. You praise God that speed limits are almost non-existent, that you can run a red light, go the wrong direction in a parking lot, and drive in the opposite direction on a one-way street—and no one will say anything!