Thai Communication Problem

[LivinLOS]

RE IQ COMMENTS IN SEVERAL COMMENTS: IQ test results are extremely sensitive to/dependent upon reading ability and vocabulary. Example, I once gave a sample test to a teenager who didn't understand a question about frankfurters but could answer the question once i explained it was a hotdog.

The rural background of many Thais was an appropriate comment on a way of thinking. Give the same IQ test to a college graduate and the cashier at 7-11 and quess what kind of results you would see ragardless of capabilities. So the country IQ ranking quoted in one reply may be more of a reflection on the educational system (e.g., availability of affordable schools) rather than the actual intellectual capabilities of a people as a nation.

I have done a fair few IQ tests and none of them had anything like those form of questions..

They were pattern recognition, logical deductions of pattern progression, etc etc. the closest example to your comment would be if the test included anagrams (something I score poorly at).

IQ testing is purposely designed to be language independent.

Your other comments make no sense as to why even Thais seems inable to get clarity between 2 Thais.

[PeaceBlondie]

I still blame the poor telephone skills on the too-rapid rise to mobile phones, while we Westerners had a century of practice in phone etiquette. They were not in the habit of calling to ask if the car was ready to be picked up, if the back order has arrived, etc. They don't even know how to lie "Khun Janawat is out of the office now." They do not realize we do not recognize everybody who is calling while sitting on the pillion in traffic. Maybe in the year 2595.

I like my friend who begins each conversation, "I am Janawat. Where are you?"

[noise]

RE IQ COMMENTS IN SEVERAL COMMENTS: IQ test results are extremely sensitive to/dependent upon reading ability and vocabulary. Example, I once gave a sample test to a teenager who didn't understand a question about frankfurters but could answer the question once i explained it was a hotdog.

The rural background of many Thais was an appropriate comment on a way of thinking. Give the same IQ test to a college graduate and the cashier at 7-11 and quess what kind of results you would see ragardless of capabilities. So the country IQ ranking quoted in one reply may be more of a reflection on the educational system (e.g., availability of affordable schools) rather than the actual intellectual capabilities of a people as a nation.

I have done a fair few IQ tests and none of them had anything like those form of questions..

They were pattern recognition, logical deductions of pattern progression, etc etc. the closest example to your comment would be if the test included anagrams (something I score poorly at).

IQ testing is purposely designed to be language independent.

Your other comments make no sense as to why even Thais seems inable to get clarity between 2 Thais.

I guess I could have probably just said that neither my wife nor I have any more problems communicating with people in Thailand than we did in the U.S. and that, without knowing the full context in which others have problems, it is just hard for me to understand why others seem to continuously (?) run into this apparent inability to communicate. I may be leaping to a faulty conclusion, but these comments were beginning to make it sound like communicating with a Thai is a universal problem, even for Thais, and my opinion is that is not. I recognize that to others it may be a universal truth.

[Sing_Sling]

I've been in this bizarre land for three years and lost hope of ever understanding the asian mind until I read two books: Working with the Thais and Wandering Through Thai Culture. Please get a hold of these, read and I'm sure much of the intensity of your frustration and amazement at Thai behavior will be reduced. I'm afraid though that once you understand the basic tenents this culture is based on, you may find it even less acceptable than before. I have tried to accept this culture but I cannot lie to myself anymore... I cannot accept this culture on principle. Hope you find your way in this place.

mate, if you ever came to my country and said these things about my culture, I garantee that you would get a smack on that big mouth of yours.

you are a guest here, behave yourself. or go home!

I am amazed that you have stayed alive here for 3 years.

And you are the last of the liberals? The man has a point to discuss and you deny him that right . . . nice one!

Oh, in most countries you'd get a smack on that big mouth of yours if you'd try to stop people airing their views (sound familiar?)

How has the OP said anything insulting? Only in your mind.

[deejah]

i must say in general the Thais have EQ

meaning they have emotional intelligence

they usually can tell what it is your are feeling

in general, of course,

they are good at reading people

everyone has their pluses

i never met anyone i could not learn something from

anyway they also tend to have wonderful dispositions

can not beat it with a stick

the only times i felt threatened physically was with farang

never ever with/from Thais

anyway a bit OT and too much to say about this

IMHO

FWIT

[scotbeve]

i must say in general the Thais have EQ

meaning they have emotional intelligence

they usually can tell what it is your are feeling

in general, of course,

they are good at reading people

everyone has their pluses

i never met anyone i could not learn something from

anyway they also tend to have wonderful dispositions

can not beat it with a stick

the only times i felt threatened physically was with farang

never ever with/from Thais

anyway a bit OT and too much to say about this

IMHO

FWIT

Gotta agree with (mostly) what DeeJAh has to say here....

[katana]

i must say in general the Thais have EQ

meaning they have emotional intelligence

they usually can tell what it is your are feeling

in general, of course,

they are good at reading people

...

That was my opinion too, even though the cultures are different.