QYRZVYSX P.

POMOY
GEC COM (N)

NARRATIVE REPORT ON THAI

As I already had some background knowledge about Thailand and Thai

people, I decided to choose a Thai to interview about their culture, traditions and
things about them.

My interviewee said that Thai people like being subtle and indirect as it is a
valued characteristic in Thai culture. In communication, a considerable part of
the information lies in the underlying messages or the non-verbal cues. They
avoid direct confrontations to avoid loss of face. If they want to criticize
something or someone, it is delivered indirectly and in private. 

Thais use “sa-wad-dee” in saying hello. However, there should be suffixes

and that depends on the gender of the person you are greeting. If it is a man,
you say “krub” after sa-wa-dee and if it is a woman you say “kha”. These
suffixes are very important when talking to strangers or a person with higher
status as these are for showing politeness and respecting elders. Politeness and
respect for elders are extremely important to Thais. 

When it comes to humour, it is common for Thais to joke during

conversations. However, swearing is generally not used in casual conversation
and is considered to be crass. They are also usually using soft voices and are
soft-spoken. Raising one’s voice is generally frowned upon as it implies a loss of
control in a situation and can cause a person to lose face. However, people from
Bangkok tend to speak louder and faster.

Physical contact in Thailand is acceptable amongst people of the same

gender, but is usually minimal. Public displays of affection between couples, such
as holding hands or kissing, are generally not shown. Buddhist monks are also
not supposed to make any physical contact with women.

Thai people don't use their hands to emphasise their point in conversation.
Overly dramatic gestures or frequent and rapid gestures may be misinterpreted
as anger in Thailand. Pointing with a single finger is considered to be rude and
accusatory. Feet are also considered to be the dirtiest part of the body. It is
unacceptable and inappropriate to use feet on pointing at and moving things.

Moreover, eye contact shows attentiveness to the person talking.

However, direct eye contact should be diverted now and then to soften the
interaction. Intense eye contact can be viewed as a challenge to the other
person. When a Thai is being instructed or spoken to by a superior, he/she
should lower his/her eyes to show respect.

Lowering their heads is an important way of how Thais show their

respect. Looming above someone in Thailand can be considered an aggressive
form of assertion. It is especially disrespectful to position one’s head at a height
higher than the Buddha. If someone needs to intersect another’s gaze to reach a
destination, they will typically walk with their head bowed and their body below
the eye line of the other.

Thai people nod to acknowledge what the person is saying. However, it

doesn't always mean that they are agreeing or they understand. Nodding is just
made out of politeness. It is also extremely prohibited to touch the top of
someone's head since they consider it as the most sacred part of the body. 

Understanding and knowing Thai culture makes one to effectively and

respectfully communicate and converse with them with avoiding possible
misinterpretations and misunderstandings. It's not just for anyone's benefit but
yours as well.