Cultural Misunderstanding?
Expats from many nations have been attracted to Thailand for work and retirement.
Culture in Thailand is often characterized as "very accommodating" however, when Thais interact with farangs, it's not unusual for the farang to be perceived as acting in an ignorant and rude manner.
When people of different nationalities interact, misunderstandings may ensue.
Anyone have amusing anecdotes brought on by a simple cultural misunderstanding?
Re: Cultural Misunderstanding?
An antedote? Yeah, if you're going to move half way across the world, learn to be open minded.
Just because you happen to be used to doing things a certain way, doesn't make it the right and only way to do it. Due to the financial disparitythough, it's difficult to explain to Westerners the pros and cons of SE Asia I find. For example, I'll try to explain the benefits of a more sommunal society such as Thailand provides, and will get met with remarks like, "well, that's because it's a 3rd world country, and they're very reliant on each other". No, actually because having a communal society such as that benefits everyone.
Re: Cultural Misunderstanding?
Matt, do you believe the act of moving across the world, which would cause fear and trepidation in most people, points to a certain openness of mind ?
And if not openness of mind, certainly a spirit of adventure.
By gathering in expat communities, don't we reinforce our native cultural norms, and discount the cultural norms of the host country?
Re: Cultural Misunderstanding?
Depends. What do you mean by "expat communities"? A gay gogo bay in Sunnee Plaza isn't really much of an expat community.
Re: Cultural Misunderstanding?
I was thinking in terms of workers, retirees and others who have chosen to live outside their native country's.
The thought of an expat gogo boy community never entered my mind...guess you like to think outside the box,eh?
:yes:
Re: Cultural Misunderstanding?
Maybe he meant expat gogo bar community.
The kind that frequent gogo bars and have regular get-togethers over a meatloaf?
:p
Re: Cultural Misunderstanding?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
loki
I was thinking in terms of workers, retirees and others who have chosen to live outside their native country's.
The thought of an expat gogo boy community never entered my mind...guess you like to think outside the box,eh?
:yes:
Ummm, no.... for SGT, I think in the confines of a bunch of older dudes debating gogo bar drink prices and appropriate off fees for hookers. That type of thing is "inside the box", because that's generally all you people talk about. I guess there's the seldom post about Yupin's and their 5 day old day turkeys they sell, but that's pretty much it.\
Outside of the box would have been my previous life in Khon Kaen, where I did actually experience Thailand outside of the bars and tourist
vacations. Most people on the other hand simply view Thailand as a place to get cheap and uneducated ass, but tittle do they know, Asia is taking over, and quickly.
Re: Cultural Misunderstanding?
Cultural misunderstanding?
When we make an appointment in the West, we mean "estimated time of arrival", whereas in Thailand, the given time is understand as "estimated time of departure".
Re: Cultural Misunderstanding?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
scottish-guy
Maybe he meant expat gogo bar community.
The kind that frequent gogo bars and have regular get-togethers over a meatloaf?
:p
Are you trying to get Francois furieux by disparaging the vaunted meatloaf?
:eek:
Re: Cultural Misunderstanding?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
christianpfc
Cultural misunderstanding?
When we make an appointment in the West, we mean "estimated time of arrival", whereas in Thailand, the given time is understand as "estimated time of departure".
Have experienced the same in South America and the Middle East...however only in a non-business context.