There are two concepts/phrases that always come up in books and articles about Thai culture. They are “jai yen” (in Thai: ใจเย็น) and “mai pen rai.” “Jai yen” literally means “cool heart,” even though the Lonely Planet Phrasebook translates it as “Easy, tiger”. (Don't believe everything you read in LP, though it is the backpacker’s bible!) Contrary to meaning you should be cold-hearted in the western way of thinking, it means you should try to stay calm when faced with difficulties small and large, and not get worked up or get your panties in a bunch. If someone is getting worked up over something, it is acceptable to say, "Jai yen yen na!" The opposite is “jai rawn,” which is “hot heart” (hot-headed in our parlance, rather than passionate in a good way), and should be
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