Mai penn rai is a term used by all Thai people. Loosely translated it means "so it goes" or "no worries". If there wasn't already a national anthem I would suggest it to become the informal mantra-anthem of the nation.
It seems like a nice concept; no worries about what is in front of you. I originally took this as a layed back approach to all things and thought this was perhaps a projection of a zen-like affluence within the hearts and minds of the Thai people.
Since arriving in Thailand I have seen a staggering amount of people all crammed into small spaces with limited room, economy, and resources to accomodate them. As I look around I begin to wonder at which time in history did this term Mai Penn Rai originate. Is it a historical reference stemming directly from Buddha denoting the taoism of ancient times, or it a contemporary composite of indifference towards the surrounding madness?
*Soi cart – In Thailand many people make their daily bread by selling food on carts. They often position these carts throughout the streets which are called “soi”.
I was once told that the definition of madness was doing the same thing again and again yet expecting a different result. In a city like Bangkok there are about 12 million people with almost no money with which to fund extravagance. Each person has to get together whatever they can to survive whether it is setting up a soi cart to sell various fish parts fried in oils, drive a taxi, or open a small store either under or within their home. With such a competitive working class there are, of course, many people doing similar things in very similar ways. One cannot expect to rise to greatness through the impetus of a soi cart business that is much like those on every street, however, they can say "mai penn rai", shrug their shoulders (yes, people in Thailand do that too), and accept the situation at face value. No worries.
Whenever something happens that a Thai person wishes to disregard for any fashion they say Mai Penn Rai. People do not get angry, they just accept their lot.
When I think of mai penn rai I don't think of a meditating monk forgiving a tiger for biting him, I think of the old woman at the seven-eleven that was just cut in line by the person that moved faster and chose to accept it rather than get angry. Mai penn rai is not just a way of "no worries", it is a way of silent vengeful salvation against the clammer of people around you. I think mai penn rai is a means of living amidst the many and somehow maintaining a smile.
You may read this blog entry and think me a determinist, however, I think that mai penn rai exists because people, no matter what environment they find themselves in, are simply determined to survive. Sometimes "no worries" is the only way to deal with overwhelming odds. Hats off to the Thai people for finding a way to find shelter in humility when pride is not required, nor part of the answer.
It seems like a nice concept; no worries about what is in front of you. I originally took this as a layed back approach to all things and thought this was perhaps a projection of a zen-like affluence within the hearts and minds of the Thai people.
Since arriving in Thailand I have seen a staggering amount of people all crammed into small spaces with limited room, economy, and resources to accomodate them. As I look around I begin to wonder at which time in history did this term Mai Penn Rai originate. Is it a historical reference stemming directly from Buddha denoting the taoism of ancient times, or it a contemporary composite of indifference towards the surrounding madness?
*Soi cart – In Thailand many people make their daily bread by selling food on carts. They often position these carts throughout the streets which are called “soi”.
I was once told that the definition of madness was doing the same thing again and again yet expecting a different result. In a city like Bangkok there are about 12 million people with almost no money with which to fund extravagance. Each person has to get together whatever they can to survive whether it is setting up a soi cart to sell various fish parts fried in oils, drive a taxi, or open a small store either under or within their home. With such a competitive working class there are, of course, many people doing similar things in very similar ways. One cannot expect to rise to greatness through the impetus of a soi cart business that is much like those on every street, however, they can say "mai penn rai", shrug their shoulders (yes, people in Thailand do that too), and accept the situation at face value. No worries.
Whenever something happens that a Thai person wishes to disregard for any fashion they say Mai Penn Rai. People do not get angry, they just accept their lot.
When I think of mai penn rai I don't think of a meditating monk forgiving a tiger for biting him, I think of the old woman at the seven-eleven that was just cut in line by the person that moved faster and chose to accept it rather than get angry. Mai penn rai is not just a way of "no worries", it is a way of silent vengeful salvation against the clammer of people around you. I think mai penn rai is a means of living amidst the many and somehow maintaining a smile.
You may read this blog entry and think me a determinist, however, I think that mai penn rai exists because people, no matter what environment they find themselves in, are simply determined to survive. Sometimes "no worries" is the only way to deal with overwhelming odds. Hats off to the Thai people for finding a way to find shelter in humility when pride is not required, nor part of the answer.
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