From: tstil@Auspex.COM (Tim Stilwell)
Newsgroups: soc.culture.thai
Subject: Thais vs. Farang
Date: 29 Jan 93 01:31:43 GMT
Organization: Auspex Systems, Santa Clara


 Sawasdee Khrup Tuk Kon

 I recently caught up on some interesting reading about "The Good Woman in
 Bangkok."  It reminded me that George Bernard Shaw once said, "England and
 America are two countries divided by a common language."  My point is that
 even though everyone is communicating in the English language, a general
 lack of understanding of customs on all sides is creating some communication
 barriers.

 I thought I would point out a few here along with some suggestions for
 both parties hoping that some people might learn something.

 Suggestions for Thais

 A person's language ability is always a sensitive subject.  As English is
 your 2nd language, some of you are not fluent speakers yet.  I apologize
 in case these suggestions appear to be criticisms.  I do not wish to
 criticize.  Instead, I hope to point out that sometimes the context of
 words can change their meanings.  Please keep this in mind as you consider
 the following:

	1. Farang will often say they disagree with your opinion.
           This does not mean that they disrespect you or think you
	   are stupid.  It means that they view the situation differently.
	   Thais often disagree with each other.  They just don't express
           it so clearly.  Please try not to be offended.

	2. Some farang will use language that appears to be deliberately
           antagonistic even to other farang.  This is not true.  It is
           simple a different style of communication.  The appropriate
	   response should be a similar antagonistic comment or at least
	   a direct answer.  Getting angry is impolite since the original
	   writer was not angry and did not intend to provoke anger.
           Certain areas of Britain and the MidWest in America communicate
	   with this style.  Please try not to be offended.
            
	3. Some farang will use colloquial expressions to convey a
	   meaning that is really understood only by the local population
	   of the writer.  You are better off asking for an explanation
           instead of incorrectly interpreting the expression and writing
	   an angry reply.

 Suggestions for Farang

 If it isn't obvious yet, it should be by now.  After all, this is
 Soc.Culture.Thai and not something else.  I am referring to the
 following:

	1. 90% of the Thai readers and writers consider ESL (English
           to be a Second Language).  Give them a break.  If you don't
           think so, then try to pay attention to the grammar, spelling
	   and expression usage in their thesis papers, comments, and
	   especially the newspaper articles.  Spelling can be forgiven
	   as typos.  The other errors are crystal clear indications
	   of a struggle to communicate in a 2nd language.

	2. Quit Writing Sarcasm.  Most of the Thai readers don't 
	   understand you.  They think you are being serious.  
	   Consider that they may not have heard that expression
	   before or they may have only heard it in its straight-forward
	   meaning and not with the voice inflection and facial
	   expressions required to suggest sarcasm.  Only very skilled
	   speakers of English can recognize this intent in writing
	   alone.  All you are doing is creating confusion for your
	   readers and making many people angry unnecessarily.

	3. Quit Teasing.  Again for the same reasons as Sarcasm, your
	   points are completely understood and excepted by the other
	   native English speakers and misunderstood by everyone else.
           If you insist on teasing, then do it with dignity.  Use this
	   universal symbol   :-)  please.  Everyone enjoys a good joke,
	   provided you let them know it is a joke.

	4. Avoid the clever euphenisms, idioms, and expressions, unless
           you are willing to explain them afterward.  If this is too
	   much trouble, then please write to some other group instead.
	   Some of your native writing styles and expressions very
	   clearly define for me exactly which country and part of that
	   country you have come from.  I like history, so I know these
	   things and I enjoy them as well, but not everybody else does.  
	   Lighten Up!  Don't Have a Cow!  Give'em a Break!  OK?   :-)

	5. Note the subtle hints in the Thai writings.
	   Respect is given for age, social position and acknowledged
	   superior understanding of the subject.  In the west, it is
	   ok to express an opinion about anything.  It is also
           acceptable to openly challenge or disagree with a distiguished
           guru who has studied the subject for 30 years while you just
	   heard about it.  Thais approach this knowledge gap differently.
           Look for the difference.  Otherwise, you just make people
           angry unncessarily.

           Titles are important.  They indicate that someone knows enough
	   about a subject to discuss it confidently without concern for
	   criticism.  Comments supplied without names demonstrate the
           opposite.  The subject is sensitive and the writer lacks the
           confidence to speak, fearing criticism.  It is possible to
           discuss a subject without getting upset.  If the writer fails
           to leave a name, take a hint.  He is upset.

	6. Note the direct hints in the Thai writings.
           Prostitution is not the favorite subject of discussion.  Just
           because Thailand finally made the cover of Time magazine is
           not sufficient justification for continuous attempts to revive
           this dead topic.  Every country has its hotspot, so please 
           leave it alone.  It is similiar to asking an Irishman if he 
           does anything besides fight in Northern Ireland or telling a
           Palestinian to quit criticizing the Israelis.  It doesn't
           matter if you think prostitution is a good thing or acceptable
           or whatever.  Please find something else to talk about.  

 When all else fails, Mai Pen rai!

 tim