I am back in Thailand working in administration and there are a few cultural differences you should know about before you get yourself in trouble.
1. Thai people hate confrontation. I am sitting in the airport in Thailand on my way to my new job. I had about 1000 pounds of baggage ( I exaggeration) but whatever it was, it was way over the limit! I feigned shock when the lady at check in said I owed a whole bunch of money. I did not raise my voice but I did wonder out loud why I was not told this before, how could it be so expensive and so on. At her instigation, she called over her supervisor who talked with her supervisor and before you knew it my baggage was on the plane without charge. Sure hope the plane does not drop out of the sky because of all of the extra weight of my golf clubs. They would rather do anything than have an argument, even though they will always get even!
2. Thais are extremely courteous people, from the wai when they greet you to their telephone behaviour. When my travel agent in Thailand was getting frustrated trying to get information about my extra baggage ( golf clubs) he kept getting different answers and instead of yelling or raising his voice he spoke more softly and gently with the agent on the other end of the line.
3. If you are old and white you are already more than a few steps up the pecking order. I am dealing with a huge bookstore chain who does not need my business to sell my novel It All Started in Mandalay, but they are so courteous and polite with me I am truly moved by their generosity and if you see the book in one of their stores, please buy at least one copy!!! If not, at least go to the web site on the right and buy a copy anyway for good measure.
1. Thai people hate confrontation. I am sitting in the airport in Thailand on my way to my new job. I had about 1000 pounds of baggage ( I exaggeration) but whatever it was, it was way over the limit! I feigned shock when the lady at check in said I owed a whole bunch of money. I did not raise my voice but I did wonder out loud why I was not told this before, how could it be so expensive and so on. At her instigation, she called over her supervisor who talked with her supervisor and before you knew it my baggage was on the plane without charge. Sure hope the plane does not drop out of the sky because of all of the extra weight of my golf clubs. They would rather do anything than have an argument, even though they will always get even!
2. Thais are extremely courteous people, from the wai when they greet you to their telephone behaviour. When my travel agent in Thailand was getting frustrated trying to get information about my extra baggage ( golf clubs) he kept getting different answers and instead of yelling or raising his voice he spoke more softly and gently with the agent on the other end of the line.
3. If you are old and white you are already more than a few steps up the pecking order. I am dealing with a huge bookstore chain who does not need my business to sell my novel It All Started in Mandalay, but they are so courteous and polite with me I am truly moved by their generosity and if you see the book in one of their stores, please buy at least one copy!!! If not, at least go to the web site on the right and buy a copy anyway for good measure.
4. Whiteness is highly valued. If you are dark it means you are lower class and probably spend your day working in the field. People here cover up their arms to keep them out of the sun and white!!! As I said above, white old males are on the top of the pecking order followed by old white females and at the bottom of the order are dark women who Thais assume are from Issan and work as farmers. It seems to be they should be a little more respectful considering where their food comes from.
You may also be shocked to learn that many Indians are Thai through and through. They were born in Thailand, speak perfect Thai and went to all of the best schools, but they are definitely down the ladder somewhere in the middle.
5. You are a farang or foreigner and there is nothing you can do about that unless you happen to look Thai and speak Thai. Just expect to pay more, on the one hand, but on the other hand, in the teaching world you will be highly respected.
You may also be shocked to learn that many Indians are Thai through and through. They were born in Thailand, speak perfect Thai and went to all of the best schools, but they are definitely down the ladder somewhere in the middle.
5. You are a farang or foreigner and there is nothing you can do about that unless you happen to look Thai and speak Thai. Just expect to pay more, on the one hand, but on the other hand, in the teaching world you will be highly respected.
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