On The Write Path

Some cultural differences: Thailand vs Euro-American.

I am amazed at some cultural differences across the globe. Wehn I go back, I'll have to be aware of holiday schedules in Thailand but basically it's 7 days/week. The post office in Udon Thani is open 11-21... every day. The trains run on the same schedule... every day. Markets tend to be open... every day. Night markets have their day of the week... every week. Most places open late (after 10,11,12...). Few go out in the heat of the day. 7-11 is always open.

Here in the US there's a notion of working 5 days and 2 off. Thais work. When foreigners come to Thailand it seems they dress in vacation clothing (like their days off back home). Yes, it's hot; but, skimpy outfits on men and women just give the impression that you have no modesty or self restraint. I dress as I wish to be perceived... as a professional. I don't wear beach clothing 'just because I can'. Yes, heat bothers me. I carry water. I take it slow. No need to complain or have a tantrum.

And attitude. Thais are passive, but they are mostly kind and tolerant and unafraid of strangers. This 'stranger-danger' based on fear is very American and fortunately not global. It's a disease of naivity, entitlement and narrow-mindedness. I'm not saying that Thais are gleefully friendly. They're not. Most interactions are transactual. But tolerance rules. When I met Ponnya I was surprised that he grabbed my hand and led me around. No one blinked or said anything. And if they did, Ponnya ignored them.

The judgemental, puritanical attitude common in America (left-wing-right-wing-whatever) just isn't Thai. It's sad that some may see this passive approach as demonstrating weakness; but, Thai/Lao culture is old, much older than modern Western Europe or newbie North America. It's strong, steeped in tradition and like India, knows that patience wins the day.

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