Kindness

Kelly Sikkema – Unsplash and Tim Burnett – Mindfulness Northwest

Besides being so amazed at all there is to see in Thailand, the thing that stands out beyond all else in the 6 months I have lived here is the KINDNESS of people. I have never lived in a place where people went out of their way to be welcoming and kind to complete strangers.

Example: when Brian and I were walking today, we passed a man sweeping the street in front of a building. We immediately changed our path so we wouldn’t be in his way. As we passed, we smiled and bowed slightly to each other. He said something and Brian answered. Later Brian said the man said he was happy to see me in good health and happy. (A month or so ago I had opted out of the walk. The man had noticed, and Brian had told him I was a bit under the weather.) Imagine him remembering us, inquiring as to why I hadn’t been there, being HAPPY that I was there this time, and caring enough to say something to Brian.)

Example: we were calling a Grab to take us to visit Harvey. A woman from the office in the building asked about Brian’s dad, listened with great interest to what Brian told her, then came and put her hand on my shoulder. And then bowed, smiled, and wished my husband health and us a good visit.

Bangkok Post

Example: We were starting to get into the elevator. A woman came running over, thrusting a sack into Brian’s arms. She apparently picked and brought a kind of fruit that grows on branches here locally and thought we might like them. And then bowed, smiled, and wished us a happy day.

BoomBoom

Example: Whenever I go into a shop – either just to look or to have something done (manicure/pedicure/haircut/massage) whoever is inside rushes over, grabs my hand and leads me around, making sure that I don’t stumble, and then bows, smiles, and wishes me a good day.

Sometimes I find myself a bit teary and my cheeks hurt if we go many places. What a LOVELY “hurt” to have!