Why do Thai shop owners have such bad attitudes?

[PM888]

I just don't get it. On so many occasions, when shopping at a Thai store or market, the attitude of the Thais borders on contempt. It's like I am giving them so much trouble by being in their store. This has happened in Bangkok, Chiangmai - you name it. My wife (Chinese, non Thai speaking) and I have both had this experience shopping together and separately. We dress appropriately, don't stink or look like your average down and out backpacker, are polite but all to no avail. And it happens in stores selling just your everday items like basic clothes.

In China, when we go to markets/stores, the shop owners are all so happy, so friendly - because they want your business. Nothing is ever too much trouble for them. You can negotiate price and they will never get offended no matter how low you offer. It is treated like a friendly game. And the last thing they want is for you to walk out their store and have a lost sale. Compare this with Thailand, where the shop assistants/owners coultn't give a shit whether you are there or not (and most likely want you to just leave). They get pissed off if you negotiate too low and won't even counter offer, and you are just seen as a hassle. Even after buying something in Thailand stores, I have buyers remorse because the whole experience has more than likely been an unpleasant one. If you dare try on a shirt and then don't buy, heaven help you and the crappy attitude you get from the shop assistant. Compare this with the Chinese markets where they will be rushing off to find something else for you to try on because they want your business. Even if you don't end up buying something from the Chinese shops, they will be so friendly to your face at least because they want you to come back and are thinking about future sales.

Can someone tell me why? Answers like This is Thailand, it's just the way it is, they don't care don't make sense to me. It's all about the money in Thailand, so here we have examples where the money is right there for them but by treating people like crap they lose out. Surely shop owners understand the concepts of basic customer service? Don't they train their staff? Don't they put shop assistants on commission to entice better sales and therefore better customer service? Half the time the bad attitude comes from the shop owner themselves so I am perplexed. t seems so basic, so why is it so?

[lovelomsak]

Beats me why you have this problem.I get nothing but smiles and great service. I bought my car in april 2012 when people where waiting months to get delivery. My Nissan deal got mine to me in 9 days.I buy any big items they deliver them free and quickly.Local businessmen see me in a coffe shop or restaurant they stop in and say hello and then pay my bill. At the market the merchants always add a little extra to my order for free. I cannot say I experience anything like what you describe. I cannot help you because I cannot see how that could happen in Thailand.

[kkerry]

Maybe it depends on where you do your shopping. Outside of tourist areas I generally find staff helpful and polite. Just because there might not be prices displayed doesn't mean you can bargain a lot so if you offer a ridiculous price not everyone wants to play. In a tourist area I can imagine some staff are sick of pushy foreigners offering insulting prices.

Quite a few times at computer malls in Bangkok I've had staff rush off to another shop to bring back something they were out of stock of. I know part of the reason is because they get trade discount from the other shop so they do make something on the sale. In some shops, if you are talking to a sales assistant rather than the owner maybe they can't be bothered. Training can be part of it. In many large stores it still surprises me when staff follow you everywhere like a criminal. A Thai might tell you it is their idea of good service but you would think someone would know by now how most foreigners don't see it that way. Overall though, in Thailand I'm more often surprised by good service rather than disappointed by bad service. YMMV

[h90]

Maybe you are in a tourist area?

Outside them I see only nice and friendly.

[Kilgore Trout]

Beats me why you have this problem.I get nothing but smiles and great service. I bought my car in april 2012 when people where waiting months to get delivery. My Nissan deal got mine to me in 9 days.I buy any big items they deliver them free and quickly.Local businessmen see me in a coffe shop or restaurant they stop in and say hello and then pay my bill. At the market the merchants always add a little extra to my order for free. I cannot say I experience anything like what you describe. I cannot help you because cannot see how that could happen in Thailand.

Biggest load of bs ive heard in awhile

Ive experienced both good and bad but this post is certainly troll based or the poster is the village joke...probably both

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Boxclever]

Beats me why you have this problem.I get nothing but smiles and great service. I bought my car in april 2012 when people where waiting months to get delivery. My Nissan deal got mine to me in 9 days.I buy any big items they deliver them free and quickly.Local businessmen see me in a coffe shop or restaurant they stop in and say hello and then pay my bill. At the market the merchants always add a little extra to my order for free. I cannot say I experience anything like what you describe. I cannot help you because cannot see how that could happen in Thailand.

Biggest load of bs ive heard in awhile

Ive experienced both good and bad but this post is certainly troll based or the poster is the village joke...probably both

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I think it was said with tongue-in-cheek Lomsak

[AhFarangJa]

Smile and walk away, you are the one spending the money, so surely it is your choice is it not?

[Kilgore Trout]

Beats me why you have this problem.I get nothing but smiles and great service. I bought my car in april 2012 when people where waiting months to get delivery. My Nissan deal got mine to me in 9 days.I buy any big items they deliver them free and quickly.Local businessmen see me in a coffe shop or restaurant they stop in and say hello and then pay my bill. At the market the merchants always add a little extra to my order for free. I cannot say I experience anything like what you describe. I cannot help you because cannot see how that could happen in Thailand.

Biggest load of bs ive heard in awhile

Ive experienced both good and bad but this post is certainly troll based or the poster is the village joke...probably both

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

I think it was said with tongue-in-cheek Lomsak

hard to tell on tv sometimes

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[Aachen]

It never, never happened to me...

[chuang]

Strange I don't find the shop owners/helpers in Thailand as what the OP said....As for the shop assistant/owner in China, this is my experience ..

I was at a flea market I think they called it the Russian market in Beijing, there was this store selling children imitation Barbie jeans...asked how munch is a pair the price quoted was about USD 70, WOW I said this costs more than an original... So I walked off, the woman kept shouting and gesticulating, I understood she wanted me to quote her a price....I said how can I if the price you quoted was so outrageous...

So much so for what the OP has said about China shop owners...

Edited December 27, 2013 by chuang

[daoyai]

Odd, I am treated quite well when shopping here at least 75% of the time, and I do dress like a "backpacker" sometimes.

[bobo42]

I've seen this type of attitude plenty from shopowners/salespeople. When people say "its all about the money", they are wrong, its not. Some people are just too lazy, too proud, whatever - and they let business walk away, and it doesn't bother them. Those people are really not interested in the money, they're just interested in themselves - their own enjoyment in that moment. I tend to see this attitude less in other countries, to me it seems to be more prevelent here. It really is just a case of, this is Thailand.

[Gsxrnz]

Is it possible they think you and your Chinese wife are possibly from a country slightly north of China?

Personally I have no problems with vendors, markets, stores, department stores. If you give them a friendly smile and a sa-wat-dee krup, they're (virtually) compelled to respond, and that sets you off on the right foot from the start.

[Bender]

i will say that must of the shop owner i did came accross were displaying a "normal" behavior,

but i must recognize that once a while i will meet one with personal disorder, maybe bipolar.

By example, few years ago at the Dsquared shop, i wanted to buy a shirt. I will never forget the hateful look in the shop owner's eyes.

I did nothing wrong, just grab a shirt, and few minutes later on my way to pay for it. But the way she was looking at me was really disturbing!

I did meet few demented people like this but they are a minority.

[impulse]

Strange I don't find the shop owners/helpers in Thailand as what the OP said....As for the shop assistant/owner in China, this is my experience ..

I was at a flea market I think they called it the Russian market in Beijing, there was this store selling children imitation Barbie jeans...asked how munch is a pair the price quoted was about USD 70, WOW I said this costs more than an original... So I walked off, the woman kept shouting and gesticulating, I understood she wanted me to quote her a price....I said how can I if the price you quoted was so outrageous...

So much so for what the OP has said about China shop owners...

Rule of thumb for a foreigner in Yabalu Market is to counter at 10% of the first price tossed out. Then the fun starts. Can be a little offputting if you come from a Western "price is clearly marked" background.

Etiquette dictates that you don't negotiate on something you don't have a genuine intention to buy, because that's a waste of their time (and they pay ridiculous rents so they don't want to waste their time)

In your case, she was hoping you'd toss out an acceptable price on the first offer- lots of foreigners do, still thinking they got a great deal. It's bad etiquette to walk out without at least offering a price (no matter how low you go), or saying :"thank you" for the information. But you don't have to worry about offending anyone. They are in it for the money and have developed extremely thick skin from getting 50 no's for every sale.

I was astounded at how far most Chinese shop owners would go to make a deal happen. Overall, my general experiences in Thailand have been favorable, but once in a while I wander into a store that doesn't want me in there- same as in China. They usually make it pretty clear from the first few seconds, and I find my way to the door as quickly as I can.

Edited December 27, 2013 by impulse

[Beetlejuice]

“just don't get it. On so many occasions, when shopping at a Thai store or market, the attitude of the Thais borders on contempt.”

I have good knowledge of what the prices are in Thailand and if the price seems right in the shops or on market stalls, I see no need to haggle and try to get the prices decreased any further. Also I speak enough Thai to avoid confusion and usually receive a good friendly service.

If any of the vendors or shops try it on with me or have an attitude problem, which is extremely rare when I go out shopping, than I just smile, turn my back and walk out never to return, the same as I would do in any country. It`s that simple.

For some of you living or staying in Thailand for the long term, it must be a rather miserable and stressful experience, and perhaps all the wringers would be better off taking a slow boat to China along with the OP, where according to the OP, the Chinese are much tolerant of people like you.

[WitawatWatawit]

I have to say that it has happened to me a few times in the manner the OP suggests. But on balance, it's not worth worrying about when compared with the friendly service found in most places. I certainly don't waste any emotional energy thinking about it. I wonder if it might be to do with the OP's attitude. Sales people are only human, and they will pick up the vibe from an unpleasant customer. Relax OP.

[CharlieH]

I have never encountered any real problems, they are usually friendly enough except when I get upset that they are stitching me up with double pricing.

I often used to wonder why it was hard at times to get any real discount or negitiate sometimes and it was pointed out to me that the profit margins some places ( small stores) work on are so low that they cannot discount or they actually lose money.

So, purely as a theory, for smaller shops, if the price is low, not making huge profit, ferang comes in, they cant speak english, you cant speak thai, they get frustrated, cant really help you because of communication and therefore loss of face, leads to them getting rid of you as quickly as possible and on to the next. Its not personal, just makes sense to them.

[paddyjenkins]

i don't think its every time and a lot of the time i find shopping pleasant enough and people are nice and polite. but, i also get those feelings of hostility and anger more often than in other countries. i don't know why, but there does seem to be a simmering tension generally in Thailand, beneath the surface. the protests make me think its all connected, the protest leaders seemingly tap into this reservoir of rage. hard to understand why, just seems to be in the nature of Thailand. as soon as i sense hostility i turn around and leave. and to ensure a generally neutral shopping experience i usually stick to the chains like BigC and Tesco.

[jackr]

I cannot say I experience anything like what you describe. I cannot help you because I cannot see how that could happen in Thailand.

Indeed, and it is likely you will never see it if you are the kind that likes to don those funny-coloured glasses.

Been here many years and have experienced standards of service right across the board in all parts of the country in all levels and types of store--market, mall, mom & pop shop, street vendor, whatever. Anyone who tells you that it just does not happen is blind or deluded, probably both. I will simply walk and go next door if they don't make the effort. When it does happen, I don't waste my time musing over why they are like that, but simply put it down to laziness/stupidity.

[vtjforyou]

Because they don't care you and your money ?

And you are right, it is so famous that Chinese are friendly educated and nice people :-)

Edited December 27, 2013 by vtjforyou

[ThaidDown]

Wife has owned clothes shops for quite a few years now. At one time had five but, as we are both getting older, have persuaded her to cut down to two.

The following are her views.......

"Agreed there are good and bad shop-owners, I have problems with some of them for the same reasons.

If I want to get 400 baht for an item then the first quoted price would be 450, if the customer wants the item then a price acceptable to both can usually be arrived at. There are sometimes problems when a foreigner (or 2) come in and expect the first offer price to be double the Thai price. They then halve the 450 in their heads (to around 200), and then offer half of that initially ie 100 baht. Unlikely then we can get anywhere near the wanted 400.

But if I give a first offer price of 700-800 to foreigners, expecting them to come back with around 200, and finally get near to the 400 for a sale but they are living here it just reinforces their view that foreigners are charged double. Selling at a price equal to or lower than total cost is not acceptable, so sometimes a sale cannot be made (a failure really). Of course if buying more than one item there will be a further discount.

At this time of the year regular customers get a small gift to show appreciation.

When people come into my shops I want to make a sale and try to be pleasant. However my pet hates are people (Thai or foreign) who come in with a drink in one hand and sticky food in the other and try to balance the two whilst touching the clothes on display, then you will see the 'unhappy' side of me.

Just to repeat, the behaviour quoted by the OP is not normal in the area where I live, but does happen. It is, in my view, not acceptable if you want to stay in a profitable business.

Just my views"

Just to repeat the above are a shop-owners views. No hints as to where the shops are. This is not an advertising post.

[nottocus]

I'm the opposite. I tended to get smiles and nice service when in THailand.

In China and HK, just basically ignore me. They don't really care if I buy or not.

[mogandave]

I've seen more nasty foreigners giving Thai staff a hard time than I have seen Thai staff treating foreigners poorly.

[kranuan]

i hate it when you enter a shop and they follow you about like a lap dog , you smile and say " just looking " intent on buying something, they get aggresive , they are just greedy people. i am sick of people saying how nice the thais are when really all they want is your money and they probably hate us, but hey thats a different topic .

[jonesthebaker]

i see this bad attitude everyday. i even see Thais seriously insulting ferangs - unbeknown to the non Thai speaking customers. my Thai wife, having spent 12 years in the UK, gets quite angry with this attitude as she understands how ignorant and just plain wrong it is.

to me an every other non Thai appoligist this is simply the Thai way. so OP you are quite correct in your observation. why they do it - <deleted> knows

[mogandave]

Is there something a shop owner should want from their customers besides money?

They follow you around because either they want to be helpful, or are worried about getting ripped off.

Edited December 27, 2013 by mogandave

[Kangawallafox]

Many are very unprofessional,some are down right rude.

On the other side of the coin many are polite,I do feel it slipping though,getting worse.

As for china,that was the rudest place I have been without a doubt,I have been to over twenty countries and the Chinese were very rude.

Good in Thailand when it's good,but real bad when it's bad.

[Farang0tang]

Totally sympathetic with the OP.

Experienced the same numerous times.

Edited December 27, 2013 by Farang0tang

[salavan]

Maybe it depends on where you do your shopping. Outside of tourist areas I generally find staff helpful and polite. Just because there might not be prices displayed doesn't mean you can bargain a lot so if you offer a ridiculous price not everyone wants to play. In a tourist area I can imagine some staff are sick of pushy foreigners offering insulting prices. Quite a few times at computer malls in Bangkok I've had staff rush off to another shop to bring back something they were out of stock of. I know part of the reason is because they get trade discount from the other shop so they do make something on the sale. In some shops, if you are talking to a sales assistant rather than the owner maybe they can't be bothered. Training can be part of it. In many large stores it still surprises me when staff follow you everywhere like a criminal. A Thai might tell you it is their idea of good service but you would think someone would know by now how most foreigners don't see it that way. Overall though, in Thailand I'm more often surprised by good service rather than disappointed by bad service. YMMV

you never been shopping in kanchanaburi before then, the staff her are rude , discourteous and unhelpful