Opponent's corner offering a drink of water after a fight

[TZ22]

Hello,

Sorry if it's a silly question, but I was hoping someone could clarify for me the Thai custom of the opponent's corner men offering the other figher a drink of water after the fight - is it absolutely expected that the fighter accept it/drink it, or is it acceptable to refuse it, or just pour it over your head like I've seen done during training...I get that it's a courtecy gesture, but I guess me being a bit of a "neat freak" I'm not sure I'm quite comfortable with this custom (i.e. using someone else's used cup), but I'm also worrying about not wanting to insult anyone by refusing what is supposed to be a polite gesture.

Thank you 

[NewThai]

I've not been to Thailand, but most of my opponent's corners have given me water (and my corner giving water to my opponent). I was covered in her blood and sweat so I didn't care much about some spit. :)

[Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu]

Hello,

Sorry if it's a silly question, but I was hoping someone could clarify for me the Thai custom of the opponent's corner men offering the other figher a drink of water after the fight - is it absolutely expected that the fighter accept it/drink it, or is it acceptable to refuse it, or just pour it over your head like I've seen done during training...I get that it's a courtecy gesture, but I guess me being a bit of a "neat freak" I'm not sure I'm quite comfortable with this custom (i.e. using someone else's used cup), but I'm also worrying about not wanting to insult anyone by refusing what is supposed to be a polite gesture.

Thank you 

I don't know what the specifics of this custom are, but in practice it is very unusual to refuse the cup. You can just do a deep wai so that your face is down and they might pour the water on you instead, but shaking your head "no" to the water is probably going to be seen as very odd, if not disrespectful.