Play with a dog : Unpacking the Thai Proverb on Respect and Boundaries
Play with a dog and the dog will lick your mouth”: A Lesson in Thai Social Conduct
The Thai proverb is: “เล่นกับหมา หมาเลียปาก” (Lên gàp mǎa, mǎa liia bpàak). It translates as, “Play with a dog, and the dog will lick your mouth.” This is a key Thai proverb about respect and boundaries in the culture. The proverb offers a warning against becoming overly familiar with subordinates. If you lower your guard, they might “overstep their boundaries” and show disrespect.
Understanding the Proverb’s Traditional Meaning
The proverb is not truly about dogs, but rather about Thai culture social boundaries. In traditional views, dogs were seen as lower-status animals. The dog licking your face metaphorically represents an offensive lack of decorum. Engaging too casually with a subordinate is seen as lowering one’s status. The resulting disrespect is the “lick,” which challenges your authority.
This thai proverb teaches the importance of maintaining proper social distance.
The Modern Paradox: Pet Humanization
Today, the meaning of a dog’s lick has completely shifted. Due to Pet Humanization Thailand, many dogs are now cherished family members. The literal act of a dog licking your face is now an act of pure love.
However, the proverb’s figurative lesson remains relevant for human interactions. It still warns of the dangers of excessive closeness in hierarchical settings. What does the Thai proverb “Play with a dog” mean? It means: stay in your lane to preserve your honor.
Comparing Thai Proverbs and Western Idioms
The wisdom within this proverb is universal across cultures. When Comparing Thai proverbs and Western idioms, we find a perfect match. The English equivalent captures the figurative meaning entirely:
- “Familiarity breeds contempt.”
This idiom expresses the same caution about excessive closeness. The Familiarity Breeds Contempt meaning is that knowing someone too well can lead to a loss of respect. This confirms the Thai wisdom that you must maintain status to ensure continued deference.
Eastern Proverb (Chinese)
Chinese wisdom also warns against dealing with those who lack propriety:
- 不知天高地厚 (Bù zhī tiān gāo dì hòu)
- Literal Meaning: Doesn’t know the sky’s height or the earth’s thickness.
- Figurative Meaning: To be ignorant of one’s own place or not know one’s limits (rudeness/arrogance). This describes the person or subordinate who commits the figurative “licking your mouth”—they are the one who does not respect the established hierarchy.
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