In the west, we often take smiling for granted. Happy sad and a few shades between pretty much cover the variety of our smiles, and it’s pretty obvious when someone is faking it or being sincere.

One of the great things about Thailand, and something that it’s famous for is the people’s great smiles. Even when affronted with rudeness, quite often the Thai people will keep on smiling, much to the amazement of the unseasoned visitor. But what lies behind these smiles? Is it all happiness and joviality?

After living here for a while, you get used to the use of smile, even in situations where in the West, it would cause more problems. But did you know that there are distinct smiles for particular occasions?

Check out the following list of smiles, and see if you can remember the last time you saw them, or even used them yourself!

Yim thang nam taa: The “I’m so happy I’m crying” smile.

Yim thak thaai: The polite smile for someone you barely know.

Yim cheun chom: The “I admire you” smile.

Fuen Yim: The stiff smile, also known as the “I should laugh at the joke though it’s not funny” smile.

Yim mee lessanai: The smile which masks something wicked in your mind.

Yim yaw: The teasing, or “I told you so” smile.

Yim yaw: The “I know things look pretty bad but there’s no point in crying over spilt milk” smile.

Yim sao: The sad smile.

Yim haeng: The dry smile, also known as the “I know I owe you the money but I don’t have it” smile.

Yim haeng: The “I disagree with you” smile, also known as the “You can go ahead and propose it but your idea’s no goo” smile.

Yim cheua-cheuan: The “I am the winner” smile, the smile given to a losing competitor.

Yim soo: The “smile in the face of an impossible struggle” smile.

Yim mai awk: The “I’m trying to smile but I can’t” smile.

List taken from the great book “Working with the Thais” by Henry Holmes and Suchada Tangtongtavy (White Lotus)

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