Never Mind, it Doesn’t Matter – written by An American Expat in Chiang Mai
In Thailand, it is impolite to get angry and loud about a problem. This is simply not done in Thailand, and an expat living here must learn the “Mai Pen Rai attitude” or else he will have a lot of problems. Mai Pen Rai is ultimately a philosophy of life: Bend with the 
wind, like a bamboo tree. And above all, keep smiling.
(the way to say this phrase is My (mai) – Pen – Rye (rhymes with “eye”)
Technically, Mai Pen Rai translates as “It’s nothing.” Truer definitions could be:
“Never mind.”
“It’s Cool.”
“Don’t get mad, get glad.”
“Take it easy.”
“No worries.”
“Oh well, I can’t do anything about it.”
Also, if you say thank you in Thai language to a Thai, they are likely to respond with a Mai Pen Rai. Continue reading