What culture of respect?

Given my experiences in the classroom, I was starting to think that this whole “Thai culture of respect” thing that I've heard so much about was just one big myth. But this morning when I got on the bus, it was full, so a young man got up to give me his seat. Just like that. And then at the next stop a lady with a baby got on, and a young girl stood up. And then a couple of stops down the way an old lady got on – I'm not making this up! – and another girl got up. My faith is restored.