Interviewee: Ehkhee Tut
Preparation
Country Report
Location: Southeastern Asia, bordering the Andaman Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, southeast of Burma
Capital: Bangkok
Climate: tropical; rainy, warm, cloudy southwest monsoon (mid-May to September); dry, cool northeast monsoon (November to mid-March); southern isthmus always hot and humid
Population: 64,865,523
Ethnic Make-up: Thai 75%, Chinese 14%, other 11%
Religions: Buddhism 95%,
Muslim 3.8%, Christianity 0.5%,
Hinduism 0.1%, other 0.6% (1991)
Government: constitutional monarchy
Languages in Thailand
The Thai language is comprised of 44 consonants, 32 vowels and five tones in Thai pronunciation, along with a script that has Indian origins. The Thai language, belonging to the Tai family, is the main language in Thailand although there are several regional dialects as well. Other languages spoken in Thailand are Chinese, Lao, Malay and Mon-Khmer, while English use is becoming more prevalent in government and commerce. English is also being taught as a second language in secondary school and universities, which enables the English speaking visitor in Thailand to have little trouble conversing.
Thai Society & Culture
The Wai
. The wai is the common form of greeting and adheres to strict rules of protocol.
. Raising both hands, palms joined with the fingers pointing upwards as if in prayer, lightly touching the body somewhere between the chest and the forehead, is the standard form.
. The wai is both a sign of respect as well as a greeting. Respect and courtesy are demonstrated by the height at which the hands are held and how low the head comes down to meet the thumbs of both hands.
. The wai may be made while sitting, walking, or standing.
. The person who is junior in age or status is the first one to offer the wai.
. The senior person returns the wai, generally with their hands raised to somewhere around their chest.
. If a junior person is standing and wants to wai a senior person who is seated, the junior person will stoop or bow their head while making the wai.
. If there is a great social distance between two people, the wai will not be returned.
Buddhism in Thailand
. Thailand is a stronghold of Buddhism.
. Buddhists believe that life does not begin with birth and end with death, but rather that every person has several lives based upon the lessons of life not yet learned and acts committed (karma) in previous lives.
. Buddhists believe that selfishness and craving result in suffering and that compassion and love bring happiness and well-being.
. The true path to peace is to eliminate all desire, a condition which Buddhists define as 'nirvana', an indescribable state free of desire, suffering, or further rebirth, in which a person simply is, and is completely at one with his surroundings.
. Buddhism is practised in Thailand by over 90% of the population.
Hierarchical Society
. Thais respect hierarchical relationships.
. Social relationships are defined as one person being superior to the other.
. Parents are superior to their children, teachers to their students, and bosses to their subordinates.
. When Thais meet a stranger, they will immediately try to place you within a hierarchy so they know how you should be treated.
. This is often done by asking what might be seen as very personal questions in other cultures.
. Status can be determined by clothing and general appearance, age, job, education, family name, and social connections.
Thai Family Values
. The family is the cornerstone of Thai society.
. Family life is often more closely knit than in western cultures.
. The Thai family is a form of hierarchy with the parents at the top.
. Children are taught to honour their parents.
Thai Demeanour
. Thais place great emphasis and value on outward forms of courtesy such as politeness, respect, genial demeanour and self-control in order to maintain harmonious relations.
. Many of their rules of etiquette are by-products of the Buddhist religion.
. It is a non-confrontational society, in which public dispute or criticism is to be avoided at all costs.
. To be openly angry with someone might attract the wrath of the spirits, which in turn could cause violence and tragedy.
. Openly criticizing a person is a form of violence as it hurts the person and is viewed as a conscious attempt to offend the person being rebuked
. Loss of face is a disgrace to a Thai so they try to avoid confrontations and look for compromises in difficult situations.
. If two parties disagree, one will need to have an outlet to retreat without losing face.
Etiquette & Customs in Thailand
Meeting Etiquette . The wai (as mentioned above) is the traditional form of greeting, given by the person of lower status to the person of higher status.
. Thais generally use first rather than surnames, with the honorific title Khun before the name. Khun is an all- purpose form of address that is appropriate for both men and women
. In general, wait for your host and hostess to introduce you to the other guests. This allows everyone to understand your status relative to their own, and thus know who performs the wai and how low the head should be bowed.
Gift Giving Etiquette
. If invited to a Thai's home, a gift is not expected, although it will be appreciated.
. Gifts should be wrapped attractively, since appearance matters. Bows and ribbons add to the sense of festivity.
. Appropriate gifts are flowers, good quality chocolates or fruit.
. Do not give marigolds or carnations, as they are associated with funerals.
. Try to avoid wrapping a gift in green, black or blue as these are used at funerals and in mourning.
. Gold and yellow are considered royal colours, so they make good wrapping paper.
. Only use red wrapping paper if giving a gift to a Chinese Thai.
. Gifts are not opened when received.
. Money is the usual gift for weddings and ordination parties.
Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to a Thai's house:
. Arrive close to the appointed time, although being a few minutes late will not cause offence.
. Check to see if the host is wearing shoes. If not, remove yours before entering the house.
. Ask another guest to confirm the dress code.
. Step over the threshold rather than on it. This is an old custom that may be dying out with younger Thais, but erring on the side of conservatism is always a good idea.
Table manners
. A fork and spoon are the usual eating utensils. However, noodles are often eaten with chopsticks.
. The spoon is held in the right hand and the fork in the left. The fork is used to guide food on to the spoon. Sticky rice, a northern Thai delicacy, is often eaten with the fingers of the right hand.
. Most meals are served as buffets or with serving platters in the centre of the table family- style.
. You may begin eating as soon as you are served.
. Leave a little food on your plate after you have eaten to show that you are full. Finishing everything indicates that you are still hungry.
. Never leave rice on your plate as it is considered wasteful. The words for food and rice are the same. Rice has an almost mystical significance in addition to its humdrum 'daily bread' function.
. Never take the last bite from the serving bowl.
. Wait to be asked before taking a second helping.
. Do not lick your fingers.
Government: constitutional monarchy
Languages in Thailand
The Thai language is comprised of 44 consonants, 32 vowels and five tones in Thai pronunciation, along with a script that has Indian origins. The Thai language, belonging to the Tai family, is the main language in Thailand although there are several regional dialects as well. Other languages spoken in Thailand are Chinese, Lao, Malay and Mon-Khmer, while English use is becoming more prevalent in government and commerce. English is also being taught as a second language in secondary school and universities, which enables the English speaking visitor in Thailand to have little trouble conversing.
Thai Society & Culture
The Wai
. The wai is the common form of greeting and adheres to strict rules of protocol.
. Raising both hands, palms joined with the fingers pointing upwards as if in prayer, lightly touching the body somewhere between the chest and the forehead, is the standard form.
. The wai is both a sign of respect as well as a greeting. Respect and courtesy are demonstrated by the height at which the hands are held and how low the head comes down to meet the thumbs of both hands.
. The wai may be made while sitting, walking, or standing.
. The person who is junior in age or status is the first one to offer the wai.
. The senior person returns the wai, generally with their hands raised to somewhere around their chest.
. If a junior person is standing and wants to wai a senior person who is seated, the junior person will stoop or bow their head while making the wai.
. If there is a great social distance between two people, the wai will not be returned.
Buddhism in Thailand
. Thailand is a stronghold of Buddhism.
. Buddhists believe that life does not begin with birth and end with death, but rather that every person has several lives based upon the lessons of life not yet learned and acts committed (karma) in previous lives.
. Buddhists believe that selfishness and craving result in suffering and that compassion and love bring happiness and well-being.
. The true path to peace is to eliminate all desire, a condition which Buddhists define as 'nirvana', an indescribable state free of desire, suffering, or further rebirth, in which a person simply is, and is completely at one with his surroundings.
. Buddhism is practised in Thailand by over 90% of the population.
Hierarchical Society
. Thais respect hierarchical relationships.
. Social relationships are defined as one person being superior to the other.
. Parents are superior to their children, teachers to their students, and bosses to their subordinates.
. When Thais meet a stranger, they will immediately try to place you within a hierarchy so they know how you should be treated.
. This is often done by asking what might be seen as very personal questions in other cultures.
. Status can be determined by clothing and general appearance, age, job, education, family name, and social connections.
Thai Family Values
. The family is the cornerstone of Thai society.
. Family life is often more closely knit than in western cultures.
. The Thai family is a form of hierarchy with the parents at the top.
. Children are taught to honour their parents.
Thai Demeanour
. Thais place great emphasis and value on outward forms of courtesy such as politeness, respect, genial demeanour and self-control in order to maintain harmonious relations.
. Many of their rules of etiquette are by-products of the Buddhist religion.
. It is a non-confrontational society, in which public dispute or criticism is to be avoided at all costs.
. To be openly angry with someone might attract the wrath of the spirits, which in turn could cause violence and tragedy.
. Openly criticizing a person is a form of violence as it hurts the person and is viewed as a conscious attempt to offend the person being rebuked
. Loss of face is a disgrace to a Thai so they try to avoid confrontations and look for compromises in difficult situations.
. If two parties disagree, one will need to have an outlet to retreat without losing face.
Etiquette & Customs in Thailand
Meeting Etiquette . The wai (as mentioned above) is the traditional form of greeting, given by the person of lower status to the person of higher status.
. Thais generally use first rather than surnames, with the honorific title Khun before the name. Khun is an all- purpose form of address that is appropriate for both men and women
. In general, wait for your host and hostess to introduce you to the other guests. This allows everyone to understand your status relative to their own, and thus know who performs the wai and how low the head should be bowed.
Gift Giving Etiquette
. If invited to a Thai's home, a gift is not expected, although it will be appreciated.
. Gifts should be wrapped attractively, since appearance matters. Bows and ribbons add to the sense of festivity.
. Appropriate gifts are flowers, good quality chocolates or fruit.
. Do not give marigolds or carnations, as they are associated with funerals.
. Try to avoid wrapping a gift in green, black or blue as these are used at funerals and in mourning.
. Gold and yellow are considered royal colours, so they make good wrapping paper.
. Only use red wrapping paper if giving a gift to a Chinese Thai.
. Gifts are not opened when received.
. Money is the usual gift for weddings and ordination parties.
Dining Etiquette
If you are invited to a Thai's house:
. Arrive close to the appointed time, although being a few minutes late will not cause offence.
. Check to see if the host is wearing shoes. If not, remove yours before entering the house.
. Ask another guest to confirm the dress code.
. Step over the threshold rather than on it. This is an old custom that may be dying out with younger Thais, but erring on the side of conservatism is always a good idea.
Table manners
. A fork and spoon are the usual eating utensils. However, noodles are often eaten with chopsticks.
. The spoon is held in the right hand and the fork in the left. The fork is used to guide food on to the spoon. Sticky rice, a northern Thai delicacy, is often eaten with the fingers of the right hand.
. Most meals are served as buffets or with serving platters in the centre of the table family- style.
. You may begin eating as soon as you are served.
. Leave a little food on your plate after you have eaten to show that you are full. Finishing everything indicates that you are still hungry.
. Never leave rice on your plate as it is considered wasteful. The words for food and rice are the same. Rice has an almost mystical significance in addition to its humdrum 'daily bread' function.
. Never take the last bite from the serving bowl.
. Wait to be asked before taking a second helping.
. Do not lick your fingers.
Relationships & Communication
. Thais prefer doing business with people they respect.
. Relationships develop slowly and do not flourish after one meeting; it may take several meetings.
. Always be respectful and courteous when dealing with others as this leads to the harmonious relationships necessary within business.
. Thai communication is formal and non-verbal communication is often more important than verbal communication.
. Rank is always respected. The eldest person in the group is revered.
. It is difficult for most Thais to say no, so you must be cognizant of their non- verbal communication.
. Watch your body language and facial expressions, as these will be believed over your words.
Dress Etiquette
. Thais prefer doing business with people they respect.
. Relationships develop slowly and do not flourish after one meeting; it may take several meetings.
. Always be respectful and courteous when dealing with others as this leads to the harmonious relationships necessary within business.
. Thai communication is formal and non-verbal communication is often more important than verbal communication.
. Rank is always respected. The eldest person in the group is revered.
. It is difficult for most Thais to say no, so you must be cognizant of their non- verbal communication.
. Watch your body language and facial expressions, as these will be believed over your words.
Dress Etiquette
- Business attire is conservative.
- Men should wear dark coloured conservative business suits.
- Women should wear conservative business suits or dresses. Women need not
wear hosiery.
- Since Thai's judge you on your clothing and accessories, ensure that
your shoes are always highly polished.
Bibliography:
"Thailand - Thai Language, Culture, Customs and Etiquette." Kwintessential. N.p.. Web. 12 Nov 2012. <http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/thailand-country-profile.html>.
Interview Transcipt
Me: Hi
Ehkhee, today I’m going to interview you about Thailand. So what city are you
from?
Ehkhee: I’m
from Kanjanaburi which is in countryside.
Me: Do you
know about other cities?
Ehkhee: Yes,
I know Bangkok, Bangkok is a big city where have a lot of people.
Me: Okey,
can you tell me about some highlights of Thai’s culture? What’s unique in your
country?
Ehkhee:
There are a lot of things. We live with our parents until we want to get our
comparing to the US like when you are 18, you want to live independently. In
Thailand, we live with our family until whenever you want to get out.
Me: Which
age is considered adult in your country?
Ehkhee: I
think 21 is considered adult.
Me: Is it
the legal age to be an adult?
Ehkhee: The
legal age is 18.
Me: So,
normally, people are considered adult when they are 21, right?
Ehkhee: Yes.
They are considered adult when they turn 21.
Me: Dose
gender matter in your family?
Ehkhee: I
don’t think it matters. I think everybody is equal.
Me: So there
is no gender discrimination?
Ehkhee: Yea,
it’s like men have more power but then it’s equal. Men have a little bit more
power.
Me: Who is
the head of the family usually?
Ehkhee: The
father is the head of the house. He has more power than the mother.
Me: So, do
women and men are equally going to work?
Ehkhee: Yes,
they both have to work.
Me: Are they
equally doing the housework also?
Ehkhee: Yes.
In big cities, the father will be the head of the house but all of them have to
work. However, in small cities, the father will work and the mother is staying
home to cook or do farming.
Me: How
about your family?
Ehkhee: In
my family, my dad is the household. He worked in the big city Bangkok. We lived
in a small city and he would send the money home. My mom didn’t work.
Me: So she
did the housework?
Ehkhee: Yes,
she did.
Me: How many
children each couple can have?
Ehkhee: Oh
they can have as many as they want. It doesn’t matter.
Me: Okey.
What are some social pastimes, like what people usually do in free times?
Ehkhee: In
free times, like us, we would play outside because we don’t have computers.
Me: Like in
the countryside?
Ehkhee: Yea, in countryside, we don’t have good
technology, so we would play outside or do some fishing. Compare to Bangkok, in
Bangkok, people would play some video games, watch movies. Yea, like us, we
were just going outside to play soccer. We all just go outside and not just
watch movies or stuff like that.
Me: Could
you tell me a little bit about your hometown?
Ehkhee: It’s
kind of small and there are not a lot of buildings or cars, or not a lot of
houses.
Me: Is your
country popular about agriculture?
Ehkhee: Yes,
in where I lived, they have a lot of farming. They watch cows, raise pigs. In Bangkok,
people work in factories or have a job and stuff like that.
Me: So,
agriculture a big thing?
Ehkhee: Big
thing, yes.
Me: So,
generally, agriculture is a big thing to the whole country?
Ehkhee: It’s
for countryside.
Me: Is
marriage important that everybody persue?
Ehkhee: Yes,
it’s is important to everybody to get marriage before they live together. If
you have not got marriage yet, you couldn’t live together.
Me:
Basically, how does your home country culture different from the US culture?
Ehkhee: There
are a lot of different things like kids, they really respect adults. They don’t
talk back. That’s the big different. At school, kids cannot talk back at all.
When they have to say something, they just say it with their manner.
Me: Is that
the biggest different?
Ehkhee: Yea,
it is the biggest different between the US and my culture.
Me: Do you
think that people in your country generally reserve when they meet new people?
Ehkhee: We
are really friendly. When meet new people we will say “Hi”. When people come to
our house, we would give them water, serve them, and sometimes, we would cook
and welcome. We are really friendly.
Me: So when
meeting new people, you would not be shy?
Ehkhee: No,
we are not shy; we just consider them as our family.
Me: Oh okey.
Is that just in your city or everywhere?
Ehkhee:
That’s in everywhere but mostly in the countryside. They are friendlier.
Me: I heard
that in your country, there are a lot of bisexuals. Is it true that there are a
lot of people who want to change their sex?
Ehkhee: Yea,
most of the guys, they want to be girls and they come to the hospital to change
their sex to become a full girl. Some parents don’t agree with that but they
just do it because they want to become a girl very bad. The number is getting
higher.
Me: Do they
hide it or they just let everybody know about their gender?
Ehkhee: Before,
they used to hide it, but now, it becomes so famous, so they are not afraid
anymore. Before, if a guy wants to become a girl, he will afraid that their parents
are not going to stand him, so he doesn’t want to transfer but now he doesn’t
care anymore.
Me: Is there
a lot of people like that?
Ehkhee: Yea,
I don’t feel like there is any guy in Thailand. Most of them become girls, a
lot of them.
Me: So most
of Thai boys want to be girls. How about girls? Do they want to be guys?
Ehkhee: I
don’t see that. They don’t change, but they just become tomboys. Girls like
girls. There are a lot of them too.
Me: Like a
lot of bisexuals?
Ehkhee: Yes.
Me: About
education, what is the education system in your country?
Ehkhee: I
have to say that in the countryside, mostly just high schools because they
can’t afford to go higher. But in the city like Bangkok, I think they would go
to universities, like four years. In my area, they just only finish high
school, and then they just stop going to college. They stop school and find a
job. After they find a job, they will have a family. They don’t really care
about education because they are poor and the government doesn’t help them, so
they can’t afford by themselves. They just stop it at high school because in
high school, they don’t have to pay for tuition, like from the first grade
until finish high school. After that you have to pay.
Me: Do you
know what the most important subject in your country is? How about English?
Ehkhee: We
do have English. In our schools, they teach English and we have to know about
it; we have to learn English.
Me: Is it
not a second language?
Ehkhee: I
consider it’s the second language in Thailand because we have to learn Thai and
the other language is English. There is no Spanish or French, so I consider
English as a second language in Thailand.
Me: Okey, so
what are the different religions in your country?
Ehkhee:
There are Christian, Buddhist, and the others that I don’t know. Buddhist is
the most famous one like all Thai people believe in Buddhist.
Me: What is
your religion?
Ehkhee: I’m
Christian.
Me: So if
people in your country follow Buddhist, do they really believe in it, like
going to pagodas regularly?
Ehkhee: Yea,
most of them are adults. Teenagers don’t do that. Old people they would go to pagodas
to pray in there and do stuff.
Me: What are
some holidays that you celebrate in Thailand?
Ehkhee: Hmm…
Me: Like the
Lunar New Year, do you have it?
Ehkhee: Yea,
it’s just like a regular New Year and Buddhist Stay.
Me: It’s
called Buddhist Stay?
Ehkhee: It’s
not called like that, I don’t know how to call it. And then there is Songkran,
it’s in three days, but you have one to celebrate it. There are a lot of
special days.
Me: So what
is the biggest holiday?
Ehkhee: Oh
and there is the Farther day. I think Farther day is the biggest one. The kids will
go to their dad and pour water on their father’s pants. They celebrate it like
that. Farther day is the most important day.
Me: And you have the New Year just like in
America?
Ehkhee: I
think it’s the same which is on January 1st.
Me: What do
people do on the day?
Ehkhee: They
will have a party and celebrate.
Me: Do
relatives come together?
Ehkhee: Oh,
yea, they come together and have a meal.
Me: What is
the most famous food in your country?
Ehkhee:
There are a lot and the famous one is called Padthai, fired rice and noodles.
Me: So
Padthai is the most famous one?
Ehkhee: Yea,
it’s a famous food like everybody knows it.
Me: What is
meal like?
Ehkhee:
Basically, it’s the same to all another. In breakfast, we would have a cup of
coffee or a cup of another drink. For lunch and dinner, you can have different
meals and different dishes.
Me: Do
people it a lot of rice?
Ehkhee: Yes,
rice is the main food.
Me: How do
you eat meals?
Ehkhee: We
have rice and different dishes put in the middle, so that we can take it from
the middle.
Me: Do lot
of people in your country eat spicy food?
Ehkhee: Yea,
they eat really spicy; almost people cannot stand that. Everything has to have
peppers.
Me: Yea, I
tried the food once that you gave me and I felt like burning.
Ehkhee: Yea,
I feel like it’s just normal. It’s not even that spicy. I could put more
peppers in there.
Me: More? That
was very spicy and so hot.
Ehkhe: Was
it hurting your stomach?
Me: No it’s
not stomach but my lips.
Ehkhee: Yea,
at first I couldn’t stand it too. Now I don’t even eat spicy food anymore.
Me: Okey. In
conclusion, what things you do not like about your country and what things make
you feel proud of?
Ehkhee:
Things that I don’t like is that the government doesn’t help poor people with
education. If we don’t have money, we can’t go higher for education. That’s why
only rich people become richer and poor people just become poorer because you
can’t go for more education. If you poor, you can’t get rich in Thailand. And I
think you can borrow money from the government but the government doesn’t have
financial aid that you can use to pay for school and stuff like that.
Me: What
things that you like about you country?
Ehkhee: The
place and the people around there, they are friendly. They would say “Hi” and
when you come to their house, they give you water. Everybody is your family and
they just smile to you. You will feel like you are not alone. If you feel
hungry, you can go to your friend’s house and they will welcome you.
Me: I forgot
one thing, if I go to your place, where would you suggest me to go to?
Ehkhee: I
think Bangkok would be the number one and then you can go to Chiengmai because
Bangkok would be a really nice place to go but it’s too hot, so you can go to
different places. Chiengmai would another one. They have elephants and nice
weather.
Me: Can we
just see the elephants or we can ride on them?
Ehkhee: Yea
they will provide riding. There are a lot of places. If you are a party person,
you should visit Bangkok. If you don’t want loud and noisy, you should visit
Chiengmai or Pataya to go to the ocean and beaches.
Me: Okey,
thank you for the interview today.
Ehkhee: You
are welcome.
Interview Report
This time interviewing Ehkhee, instead of giving me the
information about Thailand in general, she mostly gave me a look of the other
side of Thailand which is the countryside since Ehkhee is from a countryside.
It’s different from what I imagine about Thailand with busy cities. People in
the countryside where Ehkhee lived are very friendly and always welcome people
to their house as Ehkhee said. One thing making me surprise is that there are a
lot of bisexual in Thailand. Most of males in Thailand want to change their
gender as well as females. That’s a different from other countries. I was
really enjoying asking questions and listening to Ehkhee. Now I get chance to
know more about Thailand thanks to the interview.
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