Language/Thai/Culture
Hi Polyglots! 😃
Welcome to the Thai Culture learning page!
Culture in Thailand and Asian countries are probably the most important thing to learn. It is more important than the language it selves. Your understanding of culture and your manners will determine the first picture people get of you. In a business situation this is crucial. If the Thai’s don’t respect you, they probably won’t do any kind of business with you. And if you don’t show cultural understanding and acceptable manners when with your Thai friends, then they will loose the respect for you very quickly.
There are tons of books on Thai culture, but they are all over doing it, in my opinion. You can read through them, but take it with a grain of salt. The best book in my opinion is “Working With the Thai’s” by Henry Holmes and Suchada Tangtongtavy. It gives a very subjective view on the cultural differences and what to avoid. It also gives examples from real life experiences which you can draw parallels to. Definitely worth the read.
Let me explain you the cultural iceberg concept; just like the Titanic iceberg collision, an iceberg is tiny on the surface, but 10 times bigger underneath. The same goes for culture. What we can see is only a tiny bit of it, while the main part lies in the unsaid and your gestures. Therefore, control and analyze your self at all times. Be aware what you do, say and even think. But no matter how much you study or prepare, you will run into situations where you wish that you could vanish. You will learn from these situations, so don’t fear them. Take them as stepping stones in your learning process.
Enjoy your learning journey with Polyglot Club! 😊
Other Free Thai Lessons[edit | edit source]
Last Lessons[edit | edit source]
Tourist Attractions in Thailand — Thai Provinces and Capitals — Thai Festivals — Thai Food and Dining Etiquette — Thai Greetings — Thailand Timeline — Slang — Banks — Telephone hotlines — Karaoke — ROYAL ANTHEM — NATIONAL ANTHEM — GRENG JAI (เกรงใจ)