i have just started a new job for a thai company, work permit, B visa the lot. However i want some advice about working with thais. it seems the work culture is vastly different here than to the west and other asian countires. i have workd in singapore, japan and taiwan.  here they seem to enjoy gossipping and eating more than they do work. they try to get me to join in the bickering about whoever is not there but i dont wantr to get involved., recently i have been given the cold shoulder at the office due to my non conformity in gossping and bickering. all i want to do is do my job and go homewithout any fuss. last friday a girl asked me why i didnt bring any food for her because it was her birthday and all her friends had brought he chocoolate, i told her she should hav e told me it was her birthday and she said no i should have asked!! i was aloso recently asdked for a donation of money to tgive to the monks, which i refused (they wanted 500 baht) and now many ppl at the office wont talk to me. i refused because i am not budhist and never go to pray so I thought they would understand, but it turns out i was wrong.

 

is that really how it works here in the office? i would like to add that i dont rreally need the job, its just something to pass the time but i would like some adivce and how to deal with thai people  in the workplace.

 

thank you.

Is this story real or another made up one?

6 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

Is this story real or another made up one?

its real and I would apprciate real replies thanks

26 minutes ago, bob smith said:

last friday a girl asked me why i didnt bring any food for her because it was her birthday and all her

Sorry story sounds not real. A girl you just met wants a present? Nah I dont believe it. Another Koh Chang story. Get off the booze.

29 minutes ago, bob smith said:

was her birthday and all her friends had brought he chocoolate

Yes friends ie known each other for 1 year+ buy stuff for friends. You meet her a week ago.

 

 

I don't know about your office staff but Thailand is interesting and not that efficient at times.

 

We make donations to local community projects as we are expected to - but don't always agree with the project...

 

But sometimes they are ahead of the West example they banned smoking in public places earlier.

 

There are a number of books available on this subject which will help you visit Asia books etc.

 

Good luck.

12 minutes ago, bob smith said:

its real and I would apprciate real replies thanks

My missus, who is Thai, has been saying the same things. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do. Be friendly, get involved odd times, and you'll be ok. This is one thing farangs have no clue about.

On another note, don't listen to this Sparktrader guy. He seems to believe he knows anything about Thailand better than others. ????

 

7 minutes ago, bob smith said:

its real and I would apprciate real replies thanks

IMO Sparktrader wants to get his post count up, that's why most of his responses are brief.  Attention-seeker.

Asian businesses work on a consensus basis. However, there will always be an alpha male all the rest defer to when it comes to a final decision. Sometimes an alpha female.

500 baht is definitely a try-on, I'll bet most were donating 20-100 baht.

It would not bother me if Thai co-workers did not talk to me, their topics of conversation are usually food, who is bonking whom, and money.

In your shoes, I would simply go about my work, and ignore them. Believe it or not, more effective employees do get noticed.

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, garrya said:

 

On another note, don't listen to this Sparktrader guy. He seems to believe he knows anything about Thailand better than others. ????

 

So I am not alone in noticing this attribute.

I will give you a real answer. You will be mighty popular with your vast knowledge of the things in a country you start working.

9 minutes ago, garrya said:

My missus, who is Thai, has been saying the same things. Unfortunately, there isn't much you can do. Be friendly, get involved odd times, and you'll be ok. This is one thing farangs have no clue about.

On another note, don't listen to this Sparktrader guy. He seems to believe he knows anything about Thailand better than others. ????

 

Conparing a wife to a girl he met 3 days ago? This is nonsense.

 

Go read his Koh Chang.

I would quit the job, honestly, it's the only smart thing to do.

36 minutes ago, andy said:

I like Thailand as a place to visit, and may spend part of my retirement there when the time comes.  Working?  I'll never do it again and wouldn't recommend it.

Spot on. The OP should quit.

I found working with Thai's a breath of fresh air.

Just remember if you tell them something and they smile and nod their head,they didn't understand you so back out with the picture that is worth a thousand words.

I used to find giving the odd donation at work here easier than being hounded on a friday in my home country with a dozen raffles doing the rounds.

But it is ok to say no,your choice how you spend your money.

 

 

First, perhaps try typing properly with capital letters, otherwise you look like a 8 year old on the computer.  Furthermore if you're the only Farang at that office, good luck fitting in.  Marry a Thai, then you're going to learn a lot and perhaps a chance to fit in.

What is your position in that company? 

Are you on the same hierarchy level as the Thai people who you talk about?

Are there other foreigners/farangs?

Is it a small or a big company?

And if you don't need the job, why do you do it? To have company? To learn about Thailand and Thai culture? To make money?

 

It seems they try to include you. I would see that as a welcoming sign.

Jesus...why on Earth did admin hire this guy...

36 minutes ago, farmerjo said:

I found working with Thai's a breath of fresh air.

No doubt you are very good at hearding cats as well.

Nobody here, or in the workplace, enjoys a Farang who is overly confrontational.

 

Never get into a shouting match...

 

I.e.:  Never try to by a Steve Ballmer in Thailand.

 

Don't throw chairs during an office meeting, is great advice.

 

 

Interesting. 

23 minutes ago, Elkski said:

Interesting. 

Which part?

2 hours ago, bob smith said:

dont rreally need the job, its just something to pass the time

That part. 

2 hours ago, bob smith said:

was aloso recently asdked for a donation of money to tgive to the monks,

Or this part.

1 hour ago, bbi1 said:

I would quit the job, honestly, it's the only smart thing to do.

 

I think he should quit Thailand.... ????

whatever you instinctively feel, do the opposite...

 

Can't stand ya Castanza

I know it can be tedious in the office but the first few months can be seen as a time to build a reputation as a friendly guy willing to join in with things. As a farang they may think you may wish to distance yourself or that you think you're special. 

Donate to the buddhist thing - 500 baht won't kill you - and it shows you want to be part of things. The thai lady may have been half joking but your serious reaction may have turned her off - why not bring a small block of chocolate the next day and say 'Enjoy' and smile. 

Gossip can be fun or a bore. See the funny side - take an interest in the office politics and relationships so you understand what's what.  Most people want someone to listen and as a new person you are not expected to contribute. Over time you'll work out that some gossipers are tedious to everyone, or meanspirited, and some are actually fun. Long cut short some effort now might make it better and easier in the longer term to be yourself. 

I have to deal with Thais very often (in a professional capacity that is).

Tenants and an assortment of builders/repairmen.

You can't squeeze an ounce of truth from them, esp. the second group.

Bare-faced lies, false promises and then some.

Many a time I tried, in vain, to encourage them to tell me the truth.

Never seems to happen.

Lying is a way if life here.

Never gonna change.

Oh..and Thai women are terrible house-keepers.

 

 

 

9 hours ago, andy said:

I like Thailand as a place to visit, and may spend part of my retirement there when the time comes.  Working?  I'll never do it again and wouldn't recommend it.

I like Thailand a place for sugar babies and have fun with them in bed and outside. Where can you get a 19-year old model looking girl for 50+ men for a sugar baby for 3K USD for a month and enjoy her silky smooth body in her birthday suit all night? Agreed that conversation will be minimal but not intellectually challenging but who cares. I prefer it that. A few screams of "oh I love you" at night when I am inside her moist sacred hole is all I want and fulfilling. 

1 hour ago, VinnieK said:

Lying is a way if life here.

There is a reason why there is not a single word for no.

Mai chai - Not yes

16 minutes ago, CartagenaWarlock said:

Agreed that conversation will be minimal

Perfect.

When I go out to have some fun I always like when girls don't ask all those stupid question: where do you come from, etc.

Smile, move your body and look at me like you enjoy it and all is fine. ????