I recently had a visitor ask me the question, “when you leave later this year, what about Thailand will stick with you?  How will you act differently in the States?”

This is an interesting question, because I know this place has gotten under my skin and into my blood, but while I’m still here it’s sometimes hard to see how I’ve changed.  The Thai in me will stand out most clearly when I’m back in America.  But with a little reflection, here are some of the things about me or habits that I anticipate will seem a bit odd in the States, or will have to work at changing.

1. My first impulse will be to wai (greet by placing the hands together and bowing the head) whoever picks me up at the airport.
2. I’ll probably feel slightly offended if someone sits with their feet pointing at me.
3. I don’t think I’ll be able to wear shoes in the house anymore.
4. I’ll prefer eating with spoon in the right hand and fork in the left.
5. I’ll need at least a few meals per week of something spicy over rice.
6. It will take awhile to get used to paying for things with debit or credit cards rather than cash all the time.
7. Speaking of money, I’m much more familiar with green 20s, pink 100s, and tan 1,000s than army green 1s, 5s, 10s and 20s.  (In fact, are they still green?  In these same denominations?  It’s seriously been a long time.)
8. I’ll have to refrain from voicing shock and disgust at how huge serving sizes are, and how long the list of unrecognizable ingredients is on food packages.
9. I’ll be wearing a sweater when the temperatures are in the 60s, long sleeves in the 70s, and short sleeves only when it’s above 80.  I haven’t worn shorts above my knees in almost 5 years and I think I’d feel naked in them now.
10. People will probably tell me I smile all the time.
11. I’ll feel really uncomfortable talking above a whisper on public transportation.
12. I’ll be thrilled by little things like thick carpet, baked goods, quiet, free press, Pandora (blocked here), American TV shows, clean air, driving a car, English worship services, beef.
13. It will take me a while before I feel like it’s safe to wear yellow or red again (colors worn by the clashing demonstrators here).
14. I’ll want to get in on the wrong side of the car and drive in the wrong lane.  I’ll need people to remind me about seat belts for awhile.
15. As dusk falls I’ll start thinking about lighting a mosquito coil.
16. The days will feel super short in the winter and super long in the summer.
17. I’ll have to remind myself that it is NOT okay to ask just anyone their age, salary, or how much they just spent on the groceries they’re carrying.

I’m sure there will be more to come.