Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Have questions or resources regarding Khmer Culture? This forum is all about the Kingdom of Cambodia's culture. Khmer language, Cambodian weddings, French influence, Cambodian architecture, Cambodian politics, Khmer customs, etc? This is the place. Living in Cambodia can cause you to experience a whole new level of culture shock, so feel free to talk about all things related to the Khmer people, and their traditions. And if you want something in Khmer script translated into English, you will probably find what you need.
User avatar
rozzieoz
Expatriate
Posts: 4862
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2014 3:51 pm
Reputation: 2591
Australia

Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Post by rozzieoz »

We are on holiday at the moment, and our girlfriend was able to catch up with her grandma who she hasn't seen in more than five years.

I would be beside myself with excitement, there would be raucous screaming, crying and jumping about like a crazy person.

Khmers are so different, it blows my mind how they can be so reserved when they are obviously busting inside with excitement.

They very calmly said hello to one another, grandma climbed in the tuktuk and off we went.

I said "Are you happy to see grandma?"
"Oh so so so happy!" She said with the hugest grin on her face. That's all that matters but far out, they didn't even hug!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Once you've read the dictionary, every other book is just a remix.
User avatar
John Bingham
Expatriate
Posts: 13777
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 11:26 pm
Reputation: 8975
Cambodia

Re: Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Post by John Bingham »

We are on holiday at the moment, and our girlfriend was able to catch up with her grandma who she hasn't seen in more than five years.
I would be beside myself with excitement, there would be raucous screaming, crying and jumping about like a crazy person.
I would too considering my grandparents all died decades ago.
But more on topic where I'm from people are generally quite affectionate and if I was meeting a female friend I hadn't seen in a long time we'd usually hug and give a peck on the cheek. Screaming and crying no.
That's just uncouth.
Silence, exile, and cunning.
User avatar
rozzieoz
Expatriate
Posts: 4862
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2014 3:51 pm
Reputation: 2591
Australia

Re: Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Post by rozzieoz »

I'm ex South African Aussie - I'm as uncouth as they come lol


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Once you've read the dictionary, every other book is just a remix.
User avatar
Jamie_Lambo
The Cool Boxing Guy
Posts: 15039
Joined: Mon Apr 20, 2015 10:34 am
Reputation: 3132
Location: ลพบุรี
Great Britain

Re: Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Post by Jamie_Lambo »

my mate took me to the "Dark Side" of Pattaya yesterday afternoon on the other side of town, first bar we walked in to there were 3 blokes just sat at their bar stools getting noshed off whilst drinking their beer, no lack of it there, the next few bars we went in werent much different either lol
:tophat: Mean Dtuk Mean Trei, Mean Loy Mean Srey
Punchy McShortstacks School of Hard Knocks :x
Anchor Moy
Expatriate
Posts: 13458
Joined: Wed May 28, 2014 11:37 pm
Reputation: 3974
Tokelau

Re: Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Post by Anchor Moy »

rozzieoz wrote:We are on holiday at the moment, and our girlfriend was able to catch up with her grandma who she hasn't seen in more than five years.

I would be beside myself with excitement, there would be raucous screaming, crying and jumping about like a crazy person.

Khmers are so different, it blows my mind how they can be so reserved when they are obviously busting inside with excitement.

They very calmly said hello to one another, grandma climbed in the tuktuk and off we went.

I said "Are you happy to see grandma?"
"Oh so so so happy!" She said with the hugest grin on her face. That's all that matters but far out, they didn't even hug!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
My Khmer family hug me, (when we have not seen them for some time), but not each other. They think that this is appropriate and I love them for making the effort. :OD:
User avatar
rozzieoz
Expatriate
Posts: 4862
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2014 3:51 pm
Reputation: 2591
Australia

Re: Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Post by rozzieoz »

Yes! All our friends hug me too and I don't even think they hate it!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Once you've read the dictionary, every other book is just a remix.
User avatar
frank lee bent
Expatriate
Posts: 11330
Joined: Sat May 17, 2014 4:10 am
Reputation: 2094
United States of America

Re: Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Post by frank lee bent »

where people live so closely together, they cultivate some shreds of privacy by being publicly reserved.
it is a survival mechanism
User avatar
rozzieoz
Expatriate
Posts: 4862
Joined: Wed Nov 26, 2014 3:51 pm
Reputation: 2591
Australia

Re: Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Post by rozzieoz »

That makes sense Frank


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Once you've read the dictionary, every other book is just a remix.
prahkeitouj
Expatriate
Posts: 2653
Joined: Tue Feb 03, 2015 11:46 pm
Reputation: 12
Cambodia

Re: Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Post by prahkeitouj »

Awkward moment When I gave my boyfriend a lift to the airport, he just said thank you and good bye.
កុំស្លាប់ដូចពស់ កុំរស់ដូចកង្កែប
User avatar
Duncan
Sir Duncan
Posts: 8149
Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2014 8:22 pm
Reputation: 2357
Location: Wonder Why Central

Re: Emotion and affection in public - or lack thereof

Post by Duncan »

prahkeitouj wrote:Awkward moment When I gave my boyfriend a lift to the airport, he just said thank you and good bye.

Life is like a two way street. Did you say good-bye and give him a hug or kiss.
Cambodia,,,, Don't fall in love with her.
Like the spoilt child she is, she will not be happy till she destroys herself from within and breaks your heart.
Post Reply Previous topicNext topic
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 189 guests