Monthly Archives: February 2017

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

February 10, 2017 – 8:11 pm

I’m not a church-goer and if I hear church music I turn off the station, but banning Sister Rosetta Tharpe from my ears would be a sacrilege. This guitar-playing churchlady was credited with the first rock song in 1942. She was ahead of her times and everyone else too. Sister Rosetta weren’t no beauty, but […]

By Peter | Posted in 50s, race, religion, rock | Tagged , , | Comments (0)

Thai Etiquette (Speaking on the cellphone)

February 8, 2017 – 12:28 pm

Twenty years ago the cell phone weighed over a kilo and looked like it could survive a nuclear bomb. Over time its ancestors have shrunk to pocket size and people converse anywhere at anytime with anyone. The only time a Thai won’t answer a call in a movie theater is during the national anthem. But […]

By Peter | Posted in Driving | Tagged , | Comments (0)

Thai etiquette #1 (wai greeting)

February 8, 2017 – 12:17 pm

When I was traveling through Tibet, the natives greeted strangers by sticking out their tongue. At first I thought it was a come-on, but my guide explained that Tibetans devils don’t have tongues, hence I stuck out my tongue before entering any encampment. If you didn’t respect this custom, then the villagers would sic their […]

By Peter | Posted in etiquette | Tagged , , , | Comments (0)

Thai Etiquette for the Head

February 8, 2017 – 12:08 pm

Years ago a scientific lab of humanity conducted a study about how many times a day certain nationalities touched another person. Italians nearly a hundred. Spanish approximately fifty. The French fifteen. The Germans five and the English never, except in a fight. The Thais are very particular about touching, especially in public. The head should […]

By Peter | Posted in etiquette, Thailand | Tagged | Comments (0)

Eating On The Run

February 8, 2017 – 11:59 am

No animal eat on the run. Not lions, tigers, or bears. Cows, sheep, and goats meandered as they grazed, but only humans walk and eat at the same time and most of those achieving this dubious goal are Americans. Every morning I share the train with commuters holding hands with a cup of coffee or […]

By Peter | Posted in etiquette, Food | Tagged , | Comments (0)