Graduation Pictures
Posted by Stuart at 04:26 PM on January 20, 2004It's graduation week at my school again. That means that I have to duck and dodge and weave any time I leave the building to avoid being in the background or foreground of a graduation picture. Even though I saw this scene last year, I am still amazed by it. Everyone is dolled up with extra makeup and flowers and stuffed animals. And then they take picture after picture after picture after...
I didn't realize it before, but the ceremony actually takes place a year after the end of classes. One of the guys in my office graduated last year, so it is his turn this week to march across the stage to get his diploma. He made me promise that today I would take pictures with him. Knowing how much Thai people love graduation pictures, I told him my limit was 10. Sure enough, by the end of the day, he had 10 pictures with him and me and various other people in various locations with various hand props, flowers, and stuffed animals. He told me that his little brother, who was nice enough to follow him around all day, had taken over 300 pictures.
Over 300 pictures?! What do you need with 300 pictures of yourself sweating in a black robe holding stuffed animals? Oh well, I guess that's the American in me talking again. I'll just stand here and smile and, oh! Can I hold the little black cat with the fairy wand this time?
Yes, of course graduation is a time to celebrate. I didn't mean to make fun of the students (including my friend who made me pose for 10 pictures, and who will remain nameless. ha) But I posted this entry just to point out another cultural difference. I do think that getting a college degree is a bigger deal in Thailand than in the US. So there is reason for celebration and happiness.
But there is also the fact that Thai people just love having their picture taken. There are photobooths all over every mall in Thailand. And going to the professional photographer for group pictures seems to be a great pastime for friends and families.
So, add the two traditions together and you have hundreds of kids with lots of makeup, sweating in black robes in the hot sun and smiling over 300 times in one day. :)
- Stuart
Do u really think that we take only 300 photoes a day, hehe. We'll see on the commencement ceremony. The day that Real Photo Taking will actually happen. I do believe that 300-photo is not enough, hahha
That's because the graduation ceremony is traditionally one of the impressive and memorable to Thais. In the past,supporting their kids to get the diploma is such the big burden to most of Thai Parents. Eventually, when the accomplishment comes to their kids, they definitely want to keep the delightful moment as well as the kids themself. They want to let the others know that they officially end up their undergraduate life and share the happiness to those they know.Although it is just the rehearsal,it's time for them to celebrate, isn't it? :)