Bangkok and little tidbits for travelers:

So this is in no way a professional 'Rick Steves' post about traveling through Bangkok, just things I discovered on my trip that I found interesting.

• Maybe its appropriate that people bond over the sharing of food, because there is food EVERYWHERE in the city, perhaps the country.  As long as you have a few baht, you will never go hungry, and the interactions with the locals is something to be remembered.  There is a stall every few feet, either selling fruit, vegetables, ice cream, Thai style crepes, noodles, or meats that were generally chicken or some sort of sea food. Lots of hot dogs around Thailand as well.
• If you're unsure what meat and want chicken, flapping your arms is the universal sign for chicken and most people will laugh, but also understand you.
• Get the pineapple.  Ask for "Sab-bpa-rote."  You can thank me later.
• For probably the first two weeks of being in Asia, every single dish I had was noodle based in some way, and yet every single one of them tasted different and amazing.
• They will ice everything, so learning "no ice" in Thai might be useful if that bothers you.
• Black Canyon Coffee is incredible.  Go here, order everything on the menu as far as the drinks go, and let the fun ensue.  I became especially fond of the Red Bean Cha Thai 'frapp' that they have.  It was glorious, and my soul is going to mourn its loss for a long time until I find that chain again.
• At movie theaters, you pick out your own seats while purchasing your tickets, which was a new experience for me, however a great one.  It means you don't have to show up 30 minutes early just to get a seat.
• Use ATMs that have credit card logos on them.  I used the ones in the mall (theres an international fee of a $5 charge for me at every ATM I went to, which i'm not sure if that is just my bank [Regions] or all around, but thats the fee for me.)  Also the purple ones are from the First Bank of Siam or something to that effect, and legit.
• Carry nose tissue wipes with you, as most places if you're out and about don't provide toilet paper, or will charge you.  Some locations will charge you for use of the toilet anyway, as I saw at Wat Mahathat that there was a 5 baht charge for the toilet, but it also looked like they provided TP as you went through.  I also thought that's got to be one of the weirder jobs ever.
• Depending where you're at, you won't have a western style toilet.  You may be reintroduced to the lovely squatter, or perhaps this is your first meeting, in which case I will explain.  Sometimes its a hole in the ground, sometimes it has a basin, whatever the case, most places are not going to give you hand rails so if your balance is bad, best work on that.  There is generally a large tub of water in the stall with a bucket or ladle provided; after you go, scoop up water and use that to 'flush.' 
• They're also really big on the 'bidet' system there.
• I don't think they believe in paper towels either, because I never once saw one, and several bathrooms, if providing anything at all, would just have a roll of toilet paper on the wall for you to dry your hands with.  I ended up using my pants or shirt for the entire trip.
• Don't be as paranoid of back alleys as you might think.  Some of the most amazing memories I have from Bangkok were down streets that I would never have gone down back home.  That being said, don't be a fool either, and trust your instincts.  If something feels wrong, avoid it, and until you know the area, I don't recommend walking alone, just as a 'common sense' point.
• The markets are INCREDIBLE.  Go, get lost, buy things that you have no clue what they are and enjoy the experience.  Haggle, bargain, don't show open disdain otherwise people will shut you off immediately.
• The concept of smiling and trying really does ring true in Thailand.  Most people will appreciate your attempts at the Thai language, even if they're just laughing at how bad you pronounce it.  Keep an open mind and open heart, and I think you'll be surprised at how friendly and helpful people are.  For our first few trips to the market, we would have complete strangers help us out with purchasing things.
• There is a 7/11 on every corner, and I can bet you its got better items than the one you go to at home.  Visit it, love it, regale in it and all its glory.
• Also buy the Birdy "smooth and creamy" coffee from there if you're an iced coffee fan.  
• Even if the customs don't make sense to you, don't use your 'foreigner so I don't have to' card and actually give the customs a try.  Say "Sawat dee Kah/krap" with your palms pressed and head bow when first seeing people that day/moment instead of your form of 'hello' or 'good morning.'  The people will appreciate it, as it is both an attempt at the language, customs, and a sign of respect.  Take your shoes off before entering houses, or private buildings, or wats, or anywhere that has a no shoes sign.  Don't be obscene in front of images of the Buddha.  Don't show open anger and expect to get anywhere with bullying someone (this should be a life rule for some of you people, but its easy to get frustrated in another country, understandably.  Just accept that you ARE in another country, so yelling and shouting will not help.)
• When saying I don't know, or "mai kao jai-ka", don't shrug, as it gives the impression that not only do you not know but you also don't care.  Smiling and saying you don't know is better, as it keeps it open  to the idea that you're trying to understand/learn.
• Taxis are awesome in the sense that they're always metered, are BRIGHT pink or green/yellow, and more or less everywhere in the city.  If the red light in the front is not on, that means that they're not working, so don't bother waving your little hand about at them.  Also, as a foreigner  don't be discouraged if some turn you down.  Either they didn't understand you, or the distance is too far, etc etc.  Just step back and try again.  Someone will eventually take you.  If you have a Thai friend, it helps to have them write the home address out in Thai for you, because sometimes you can just hand that to a person instead of trying to get it across.  Its still useful to learn how to pronounce your home location though.
• Water taxis don't play around.  Get your ticket and be prepared to board.
• Back seats on buses, etc are reserved for monks.  If they're full and a monk boards, a spot is always cleared for them.  Also, if you are a female, do not touch them.
• Unless you got a camera with a lens that allows you to shoot from a distance, don't just walk up to a monk and snap a photo.  You should ask for permission first.  Think about it.  These people, while perhaps new and exciting to you, are still PEOPLE, and should not be treated like zoo exhibits. Most will agree, and even if they don't, I promise you that you will encounter more monks before you leave.
• Motorcycles/scooters can and will use the sidewalk.  Heads up!
• Also, the sidewalks are not necessarily flat and even either.  Out in the district I was in, it was a bit like walking through one of the fallen temples in Cambodia, with stones up ended, broken, and the footing incredibly uneven.  Watch for that, dog poo, and motorcycles.  If nothing else, it makes it an adventure every time you go out.

So, that is in no means all inclusive, but those are the things that I discovered for myself while in Thailand.  Lots of stuff you'll read in your guide books/pre-trip readings, but these were things that I didn't find covered so I thought i'd share.