How to Adapt to Thai Culture

Life in Asia can seem very exotic and mysterious until you learn some simple rules to follow to fit into Thai culture.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. On Mondays, people wear yellow shirts to honor the king. Show respect for the king. When at a movie theater, stand up doing the tribute clip played about the king. On Mondays wear a yellow shirt, and on Fridays wear a pink shirt to show respect for the king. Always keep any comments about the king positive.
2. Stay calm in all situations. The Thai people admire others who have a “cool heart.” Even if a situation upsets you, don’t show it outwardly and keep the volume of your voice low and your tone neutral. The Thai name for this philosophy is “Mai pen rai,” which translates as "It’s nothing" or "No worries." Arguing will only get poor results from those you are dealing with.
3. In the Thai workplace, show respect to anyone older than you, even if you are in a higher position. The Thais respect people who are older, and they also value workers who have been at the company a long time, even if they are in a lower position.
4. When a Thai greets you with a "wai"--a slight bow with the palms pressed together--you should respond with respect to your standing in relationship to that person. If you are a higher rank than the Thai, your wai should be smaller than theirs. A Thai would find it strange if you were their superior and you gave an equal wai.
5. Understand that Thais are curious and that it is not taboo in their culture to ask very personal questions. Personal questions can include asking how much money you make, what you paid for something, what your marital status is, where you live, etc. If you are not comfortable answering, use humor such as responding “Not enough” when asked how much you earn.