Pi and Nong

[lomuamart]

Whilst following the thread on wais, I thought I'd thought I'd throw in another aspect of addressing Thais to confuse matters even further.
When you don't know someone's name - in a restaurant, bar, shop etc - it's customary to address that person as "Pi" or "Nong" - elder/younger sibling, in that order, regardless of gender.
So, bearing in mind that a lot of Thias, particularly the ladies, look somewhat younger than their actual years, how do others get around the potential social gaffe of calling someone Nong, when it should be Pi? Big disrespect, although it'll only cause some laughter generally.
I was told by my ex that if you're in any doubt, err on the side of caution and say Pi. Sounds sensible to me.
Any suggestions out there?

[VincentD]

There are two situations here. The first is on the social level, where everyone is assumed to be on an even playing field. Friends of a friend, relatives of the wife, people you meet at a dinner...

In this instance, it's always better to err on the side of caution, so if you're not sure, use "Pi".

The other relates to the hierachal level. If you're the boss, you *are* the "Pi".

So, if you're in a restaurant for example, it is alright to address the waiters or waitresses as "nong". If the serving staff are obviously that much older, you can use "Loong"(uncle) or "Paa"(aunt). "Pi" is not warranted in this instance.

If you're *not* the boss, as an example when dealing with any uniformed officials, always use "Pi". Using "krab" or "ka" as a suffix to this earns brownie points.

As a side note, the height of the wai also denotes the amount of respect given. The higher the wai, the more respect. A good rule of thumb here is to match the height of the wai given.

[lomuamart]

Good answer VincentD
I'd forgotten about Loong and Paa. Also Mair and Por.
I'll have to try harder and not go around yelling "Oi, you!!"

[dr dave soul monsta]

lomuamart ive had my name changed by deed poll to;

"Youyou"

and apparently there is alot of us around in Thailand

[ricardo]

If I am not sure of someones age or status I would normally say "Khun Khrap" with the emphasis on the Khrap.

To be honest I'm not sure how correct this is - but I have always gotten a positive response because I have tried to be polite.

[VincentD]

If I am not sure of someones age or status I would normally say "Khun Khrap" with the emphasis on the Khrap.

The Thai way of saying' "Youyou" but with a smile. As a non-Thai you'd get away with it.

I'd use "Pi krab" in the future.

[Oe]

First I would like to say the Pi and Nong forum is good for many people who they have read and they will pick it up and to use in the right happens,
When you are in the restaurant – for example that you like to ask someone to check you bill some time you call them Pi or Nong
But Pi is a word to call some one who you think they older than you or the look older than you that you can call Pi but if some one they younger than you then you call them Pi anyway that they may not happy as the way they will think:

You are stupid if you don’t know what its mean or what

They might be angry that they might think you are taking the p*ss

But its not all bad because some place they are very friendly and they will understand that Farrang like to speak Thai so they will just gonna laugh at you,

Pi and Nong it’s a good for some time, some place and some people when you say Pi or Nong to them, but yeh many people like to say Pi or Nong in nice way of Thai people believe especially in restaurant, but again before you say that to some one you have to make sure that is in a right place and person you saying to, someone they just don’t like when someone call them Pi or Nong they like people to call the “Khunâ€

[PeteC]

Well, like me and a few others on here who are older than dirt....everyone is a nong...LOL.

[lomuamart]

Well, like me and a few others on here who are older than dirt....everyone is a nong...LOL.

Yeah. Over the years I've found it easier as well.

[Guess]

Well, like me and a few others on here who are older than dirt....everyone is a nong...LOL.

Me too and it raises a few laughs from old ladies.

[Guess]

This subject has stimulated the few brain cells that I still possess.

I have noticed that virtually everybody addresses my wife as Pee Oi. This is even if they are obviously older or younger than she (Oh and BTW Adrian you bald headed old fart, that is the correct English). My guess is that that it is because of status rather than age.

One of my twenty four year old empoyees addresses my thirty two year old wife as pee Oi.

I would like to hear Oe's input to this.

[Bamboo Grove]

One of my twenty four year old empoyees addresses my thirty two year old wife as pee Oi

This is correct as the younger one (your employee, 24) should address your wife (32) as older sister. Not only age matters here, though, as she is the owner/manageress as well, it is very common that the staff would call her pii.

[Guess]

Yes of course. Bit late in the night for my brain.

Other people, other than employees, and older than she, but of a apparently lower status also address her as Pii.

This now poses a dilemma. If I referred to a younger, but more important person than me, as Pii, how would it be taken?

[Oe]

Sawasdee Kah Pi Oi....
Guess, should I call you Por Yai???

[Bamboo Grove]

Or maybe "Jao Pho Pool"