It is really interesting to hear from you guys as i believed that those who are friend with foreigners or get married with foreigner see this glass as half full as they might have been influenced by the western culture, way of thinking and belief. They are kinda more open and optimistic than ordinary Cambodian as the majority of Cambodians would see this as half empty and that including me.

Here is an example

Most of Cambodians, they would not travel as family. They are always afraid that if something bad happen, they might have died all together and no one takes care or take over their properties.

PS: This example doesn't apply to all Cambodian.

Engineers just ask who made the glass too big.

all depends on my frame of mind really id use both in different situations, id probably say half full more because we also use phrases like "a full measure" ,
for example, when referring to filling glasses with a liquid, lets say it was a drink,
you would expect "a full measure", but if its only got half in it its only "half full", but if they gave me "a full measure" and i drank half of it, it has now become "half empty"

If what you're really asking is, are barang generally more assertive, optimistic and secure than the average Cambodian?

The answer is, yes they are. But Khmer partners of barang will eventually gain a lot in self confidence. It's been my experience anyway.

I think I see both. :p

Half full, half empty? I'm the kind that just fills the damn glass up again. Ot panyaha.

I was watching some buddies enjoy a very fine bottle of Tequila the other night (I was on antibiotics, so pass) and noticed the lid of the bottle, similar to the old crystal-cut spirit bottles. After reading the label it turned out the lid is actually a full shot measure - you invert the bottle to pour off the shot, turn the bottle on it's side, and uncap it in a smooth motion, there's your shot ready to pour... never seen this before, and I'm bar-trained!

StroppyChops wrote:Engineers just ask who made the glass too big.

And people in California said, because we are suffering from drought, so we have to use our water smartly and can't fill up the glass.

logos wrote:If what you're really asking is, are barang generally more assertive, optimistic and secure than the average Cambodian?

The answer is, yes they are. But Khmer partners of barang will eventually gain a lot in self confidence. It's been my experience anyway.

Yes absolutely.

Interesting OP. I was trying to teach pessimism and optimism to some of my students recently and I noticed a reticence in their eyes. Your post has got me wondering how you would define Khmer national traits ?