Jared Traveler
2nd Black Belt
Some counter intuitive and counter cultural things about Muay Thai make me scratch my head.
First of a feet . Feet are offensive in Thailand, you NEVER wear shoes in doors, you don't step over people and you don't even point your foot casually at other people. This is all offensive. YET in Muay Thai (the national sport) you literally kick each other.
You put your foot on someone else's face. It's offense to even touch someone's face, but in Muay Thai you smash their face with your foot.
Also, head position. You bow to your superior, and to your senior. Putting your head above someone else's means you think you are more important than them. In Muay Thai, you clinch and forcefully bring their head lower than yours. Also breaking their posture, which is a big deal.
Muay Thai, the most popular Sport seems to break all the social rules. Including being bear chested, which is not common in Thailand at all.
Somehow being a sport the celebrate causing your opponent to lose face in so many ways. But everyone is smiling and friendly.
First of a feet . Feet are offensive in Thailand, you NEVER wear shoes in doors, you don't step over people and you don't even point your foot casually at other people. This is all offensive. YET in Muay Thai (the national sport) you literally kick each other.
You put your foot on someone else's face. It's offense to even touch someone's face, but in Muay Thai you smash their face with your foot.
Also, head position. You bow to your superior, and to your senior. Putting your head above someone else's means you think you are more important than them. In Muay Thai, you clinch and forcefully bring their head lower than yours. Also breaking their posture, which is a big deal.
Muay Thai, the most popular Sport seems to break all the social rules. Including being bear chested, which is not common in Thailand at all.
Somehow being a sport the celebrate causing your opponent to lose face in so many ways. But everyone is smiling and friendly.