In this essay I would like to reflect what I have personally learn more about Thai culture from my intercultural interaction with a Thai person as well as through my in depth reading about Thai culture and history. Thai culture characteristics, behaviors, and values share many similarities and differences with my Taiwanese culture. The person who I interviewed with had given me a great insight into Thai way of thinking and ways of life. Although I have been living in Thai for so many years, but with my Taiwanese upbringing culture I have learn some of the prominent Thai culture, believes, values, and characteristics to be too difficult to understand. In this essay, you will find discussion and examples of Thai prominent cultures, values, believe and Thai historical events and people who had played a great role in changing Thais ways of life. Next, follow by the discussion of Taiwanese culture and Thai culture in comparison and contrast. In the end of the essay, I will propose some of the ways I believe can help to cope with some of Thais cultural shocks.
When looking at a broad picture of Thai nation, one can easily identified that Thai is a agricultural society. Rice is what Thai people eat on the daily basis. Yet, Thailand is one of the world biggest exporters in rice product. There is also a saying in Thailand that, “Farmer is the backbone of the nation.” Here, farmers is not actually the ‘backbone’ or the physical backbone of Thai nation, but backbone in this phrase metaphor the crucial organ in the person body to survive. This shows that Thailand rely heavily on agriculture product and activities. Believe and activities in relation to the agricultural background of Thais, including worshiping “Pra-mae-po-sop” (Goddess of R...
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...s to show friendliness. It is as though strangers are accepted as member of the kin group.
Since I am a Taiwanese living in Thailand for so many year, I know some of the ways to cope with these cultural shocks. Here, I would like to suggest you can handle cultural shock in Thai culture. People of different culture may had experience frustration, confusion, tension, or even embarrassment when encounter with another culture. There are two choices you can to can choose from: one is try to observe, listen, inquire which can result in understanding . Another is criticize, rationalize, and withdraw which can result in alienation and isolation. However, some may choose other alternatives such as by gathering information and learn about new culture as much as possible. Second, is to make socio-cultural adjustments. And third is adapting , sharing, experiencing and enjoy.
One of the most important aspects of Hmong culture is the group and family dynamic. The Hmong considered farming their most important duty because it was a major source of income when they were in Laos. The story regarding the Hmong family who attempted to grow vegetables inside their second story apartment was an example of this (Fadiman, 1997, p. 226). The Hmong found the transition difficult since the thing they knew best, farming, was taken away from them. Thus, they were forced to fit into roles that were foreign to them.
What is Iu-Mein? Not many people have heard of the ethnicity Iu-Mein. It is a dialect from Laos. One of the traditions that Iu-Mein's have are ceremonies. Ceremonies are done with the sacrificing of a pig or chicken. Certain people may call it weird, and animal rights folks would call it animal cruelty, but in our culture, it is for healing and to pay our respects to our ancestors.
I chose Cambodian Americans for my target culture because it was a place I knew very little about. My ignorance of that side of the world is laughable to say the least. Cambodian American was a great choice because both the people and the culture are very captivating to me. While some Cambodian Americans become very westernized, accepting most of America’s cultural norms, some hold strong to their Cambodian traditions and way of life. Through Geert Hofstede’s Taxonomy, I will explore the dynamics of the Cambodian American culture. Through Identity, Hierarchy, Gender, Truth and Virtue I will attempt to describe a culture previously virtually unknown to me. I chose Hofstede’s Taxonomy over Bond’s because Michael Bond himself told me to. “Charlotte, I did this work in the 1980's, and found that 3 of my 4 nation-level dimensions overlapped with Hofstede's and one was distinct.” said Bond to me when I asked him to elaborate on his taxonomy.
“The Young, the Rich, and the Famous: Individualism as an American Cultural Value,” written by, Poranee Natadecha-Sponsel relates to values and beliefs of different cultures. These include greetings, jobs, relationships, welfare, and even finances. I have never realized how different some cultures really are. Individualism is strongly touched upon in this short story. My first reaction when reading this was disbelief. I could not understand or believe how different we really are from other cultures. The main topic of this text is individualism between American and Thai cultures. I would also say that the main audience intended for this text would be Americans. The author effectively states that individualism truly has been valued immensely in America.
The term “culture” elicits strong feelings within the Vietnamese community. The adults and elders would tell young people culture is a way of being that involves talking, acting, and following traditions. For second-generation Vietnamese adolescents, culture becomes an everyday battleground. A battleground that takes no prisoners leaving the field desolated. As a result, adolescents are left psychologically, emotionally, and mentally torn to pieces. They must navigate two cultural systems that contradict on another. The dominating American culture stresses individualistic idealism whereas Vietnamese culture stresses collectivistic idealism.
Keep in mind that this is a very general overview. There are many different cultures within Asia and they are all different. Asian students are very culturally diverse, and an effort should be made to learn about their individual characteristics and cultural background.
*** Common sense is an important attribute to have wherever you are in the world. Much of what you need to know and remember while in Thailand or anywhere is common sense. For some reason though, common sense is one of the first things men forget when they come to Thailand. The words of wisdom in this chapter can be applied just anywhere in the world. While I am certain those reading (and writing) this book are well endowed with common sense, nevertheless, I suggest you read it anyway. If one of these items jogs your memory at a later date, it might very well save you time, money, or your life.
The Polynesian peoples have a lifestyle quite different than that of any other culture, as living on an island requires a level of flexible adaptability in order to cope with such a different, sometimes difficult environment. We see the way diverse cultures build their lives around their circumstances and how they respect them in their cultural myths and stories. The Polynesian legends emphasize the physical environment that they live in. They are quite different than any other region in the world, but the beauty and individuality of the Polynesian culture is prominent as seen in their mythology.
Thai Woman vs. American Women “Girls have an unfair advantage over men; if they can’t get what they want by being smart, they can get it by being dumb.” Yul Brynner *** A man once wrote me asking my opinion on how Thai women compare with American women. “What are the Thai women like...are they like American women? I see a lot of American men finding wives there...how hard is it?” “It’s as easy or difficult as you want it to be,” I said, responding to his loaded question without giving him a concrete answer. “It also matters how comfortable you are being alone.” To answer means stereotyping not one, but two nationalities of women. No easy task, but my answer is an opinion and I am generalizing for the purpose of discussion. Men and women
"Basics of Buddhism." n.d. The Living Edens: Thailand. Public Broadcasting Service. Website. 6 March 2014. .
Culture shock is a feeling of isolation, rejection, experienced when one culture is brought into sudden contact with another. Meeting a different way of living after moving to a new location, uncomfortable feeling of unfamiliar people, culture, etc. I’ve experienced a culture shock when I moved into United States from Russia. Everything felt so different here. At first, I was really quite, and didn 't talk to anyone. A lot of my time I spent watching “strange” people to try to adapt to my new country. People’s actions and views on life confused me a lot when I moved to the US. It was hard for me to find friends. The first thing I did was natural, I would look for people my kind, from Russia. That way I could communicate with them in Russian and find out more about the country I had just moved into. Then, I made a lot of American friends and that helped me to adapt faster. It took me a good three years to adapt to the country, people, different cultures, attitudes and a lot more. Having lived here for five years I 've gotten used to the country, and I really enjoy living here
Everyone reacts differently to new environments.While some are excited others are upset to have to leave important people behind. Culture shock comes in many different forms and sizes, some may find it harder to adjust than others. The difficulties to adjusting don’t always show up right away (TeensHealth). Culture shock is experienced in many different ways some common feelings are; sadness, loneliness, anxiety, trouble concentrating, feeling left out, negative feelings towards the new culture and frustration (TeensHealth). These feelings are temporary, eventually people get used to their surroundings. Although, many have been planning on the change for a long time, many still experience the impact of culture shock (International Students and Culture Shock). A huge majority of the cultures norms are based on language.
Effective communication with people of difference cultures can be especially challenging. The way people interpret the world can be strikingly different between cultures. Intercultural communication occurs when a member from one culture produces a message that is absorbed by a member of another culture. How that message is understood by the communicating party is a vital part in intercultural communication. For example, in Cambodia it would be considered rude to discuss business in a social setting (Language, culture, customs and etiquette, n.d.). However, in the United States this is a common practice and is almost an encouraged event. Another important factor and consideration in intercultural communication is the importance of understanding cultures, values, history and beliefs. For instance, in Cambodia, if you deliver a present that is wrapped in white paper, this is considered to represent mourning. This is one of the many reasons why it is important to assimilate into a culture and be mindful of communication between cultures (Language, culture, customs and etiquette, n.d.).
... Thailand. Standard Thai language and Kam Racha Sap are the two main languages. They are differently used according to the social status of each person. Standard language is used in the normal domains or with normal people such as family member, friends, or any other familiar interactions. Kam Racha Sap is the high function language used in higher domains or with higher social status people such as The King, Queen, The royal family and the monk. Moreover, there are also sub languages within these two categories to determine the rank of those people. We have to learn to use the right word with the right status of the people. If we use wrong type of language or wrong word with wrong status of people, we might be considered uneducated or do not give respect to the person we are talking to mentioning about. Thus, it can be said that Thai culture concern very much about class differentiate. We show respect to the people by using different kinds of the language. It shows that Thai people value the status of the people. Thai culture shows the politeness through the language use. Thus, to be able to keep manner in Thai society, you must learn the language use in order to use it properly.
People around the world have many different kinds of wedding due to the differences in their religions and cultures. Since most Thai people are the Buddhists, the traditional Thai wedding is mainly related to Buddhism. However, it is also blended with Thai culture and Thai people’s ways of life. Traditional Thai wedding can be organized in various ways depending on the local people’s beliefs. In this essay I will describe some details of the general traditional Thai wedding.