Culture Shock in Thailand
Expats will find that many elements of Thai culture inspire less shock than pleasant surprise. Thailand still takes pride from its reputation as a gracious and courteous host country.
In earlier times a village's reputation was determined by its hospitality. A polite wai is a common greeting instead of a handshake and is done by pressing both hands together in front of your chest with a slight bow. Although this may feel very formal, it is accepted and friendly. Handshakes will be reciprocated without a second thought, especially in business environments.
Foreigners should try not to touch heads and point feet but a great deal of leeway is granted to foreigners who are unaccustomed to Thai culture.
The Thai language is respectful with sentences ending in a polite khrup from men and kha from women. References to people are determined by age and one will often be referred to as younger/older brother/sister.
It is also important to remain very respectful of the royal family. This respect can be seen or shown by wearing yellow shirts on Monday's in respect for the royal family's colours, stopping for daily breaks to listen to the national anthem, and standing at movie theatres in tribute to the king.
Expats may be surprised by the openness and acceptance of homosexuality.
Expats’ difficulty in acclimatising to the Thai culture will more likely result from logistics like pollution and traffic in Bangkok than from glaring differences in the ways of life.
In earlier times a village's reputation was determined by its hospitality. A polite wai is a common greeting instead of a handshake and is done by pressing both hands together in front of your chest with a slight bow. Although this may feel very formal, it is accepted and friendly. Handshakes will be reciprocated without a second thought, especially in business environments.
Foreigners should try not to touch heads and point feet but a great deal of leeway is granted to foreigners who are unaccustomed to Thai culture.
The Thai language is respectful with sentences ending in a polite khrup from men and kha from women. References to people are determined by age and one will often be referred to as younger/older brother/sister.
It is also important to remain very respectful of the royal family. This respect can be seen or shown by wearing yellow shirts on Monday's in respect for the royal family's colours, stopping for daily breaks to listen to the national anthem, and standing at movie theatres in tribute to the king.
Expats may be surprised by the openness and acceptance of homosexuality.
Expats’ difficulty in acclimatising to the Thai culture will more likely result from logistics like pollution and traffic in Bangkok than from glaring differences in the ways of life.
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