My Thailand Diary

A smile goes a long way in Thailand ! The worst thing you can do in a difficult situation is to get mad, demand your rights and argue that back home things get done in ‘’such and such a way”. This will cause the Thai person alot of embarrassment. I walked into a computer shop about 3 weeks ago and witnessed this scene. An older Farang man (westerner) was yelling at the computer sales person. This must have been going on for a while because the Thai sales person lost his temper and replied in a loud voice.. DON’T YOU EVER USE THE” F” WORD WITH ME.
There was a lady at the reception who was very embarrassed. I felt so shocked I almost forgot what I wanted ot buy. So I told her quietly I would come back later. Out I went and drove around the block. I came back and it was peaceful again. I bought what I wanted, smiled and smiled some more and left.
Now the westerner didn’t help the situation by getting mad. Often we feel like we have the ‘right’ to get mad.. people say they can fix things which they can’t , or they say they don’t have something and 2 minutes later you see the product you are looking for out on display. The best way to react is to put yourself in your place. You are there to get help. HE is the sales person. In a sense, superior to you. Its best to say that you really don’t understand why your computer doesn’t work or whatever and that you would be soo glad for help ! SMILE AND WAIT. The sales person will do all he can to help you. That’s his job. Respect him for it. Even if y ou are not happy with it, think two times before making a scene !