Thai Culture - An Overview (Part 2)

There are dozens upon dozens of books that take anyou remember nothing else, remember this. The Thais
in depth look at Thai history and culture. I am not goingdetest open shows of anger. Raising your voice,
to try to emulate them here. What I am going to do ismaking big hand movements and being aggressive will
tell you what you need to know to make aonly make you appear to be some kind of barbarian
comfortable transition. This is part 2 of a multi-partthat doesn't deserve the time of day. If you have a
series.problem, a disagreement or a misunderstanding, speak
Buddhism-quietly and smile. No matter how right you may be, if
As you likely know, Thailand is a Buddhist country. Theyou fail to do this, you will be ignored. End of story.
average Thai visits the temple on numerous occasionsNow this does not mean that the Thais never show
a year to make merit or to ask for assistance or lucktheir anger. It happens. But in terms of a foreigner living
in one walk of life or another. The Thais are genuine inin Thailand, controlling any displays of anger will go a
their belief in and devotion to Buddhism. But unlikelong way towards a successful and happy life here.
some religions, they will never force their beliefs on youStatus-
or attempt to convert you. No matter what your faith,Whether it be within a group of friends, family,
the Thais are happy to let you follow it. The live and letco-workers or within society as a whole, everyone
be attitude permeates all facets of life in Thailand. Ifknows where they stand at all times. There is always
you are interested in learning more about Buddhism,someone above you and someone below you.
there are many opportunities to join local temples forGenerally, anyone significantly older than you or in a
instruction in meditation and the teachings of Buddha.position of authority over you holds higher status. In
Indeed, it is not completely unusual to run across a baldaddition, someone significantly richer than you holds
headed Westerner draped in a brown or orange robehigher status. Someone of a higher status is respected
who has become a monk, either for a short period orto a point that I personally find difficult to understand.
for life.For example, a student who is certain that the fact
Superstition-their teacher just quoted is wrong, will never ever
The Thais are extremely superstitious. Numerology,mention it. This also goes back to the concept of
astrology, black magic, fortune telling and the existencesaving face. In a full year at a Thai high school, I never
of spirits and ghosts are all very real for most Thais.once saw a student raise their hand and question
Don't be surprised if you are unable to undertakeanything a teacher had said. Similarly, employees at a
some venture due to the position of the stars or thecompany would never approach the boss with a
time of day. I remember when we first purchased agrievance. He sits above them and doing so would be
car. We had to plan it carefully so that we werean insult to his position. This inability to confront and
driving off the lot on a Saturday at exactly 9:09am.question those of a higher status is difficult to deal with
Similarly, when we recently moved, we arrived at ourat times. In my opinion, it is a trait that holds the Thais
new house with a truck full of boxes and furniture andback in education, business and personnel
half a dozen movers. We then proceeded to wait fordevelopment. From the Thai point of view, status
an hour and a half until we reached an auspicious timetrumps all else and I should keep my opinions to myself.
before entering the house. This was all perfectlyAs a foreigner in Thailand, you sit somewhat on the
reasonable to the men we had hired who laughed andoutside of the status system. However, this does not
joked among themselves as they waited patiently.mean that it should be ignored, for to a large extent,
Showing Anger-your perceived status will decide how you are treated
Showing anger is guaranteed to get you nowhere. Ifby others.