Integrating into the Thai culture

[Hal65]

As a foreigner, do you think it makes sense to at least try to integrate into the Thai culture, or is this really a pointless endeavor? not talking only about learning the Thai language, but also dressing like them, adopting some of their basic customs like greetings and other mannerisms, etc.

I don't expect the Thais to suddenly see me as one of their own, but I would like them to understand that I respect their culture and I'm willing to talk and act with them at their level.

[Soutpeel]

As a foreigner, do you think it makes sense to at least try to integrate into the Thai culture

Absolutely no sense at all.....allow me to put this perspective on it....I know quite a few " 100% foreigners" who are actually Thai citizens/have the passport, speak read, write fluent Thai and even they will tell you, you will never be fully accepted as one of their "own"

The ones who run around, trying desperately to "intergrate" dressing the same/mannerisms etc. are wannabee's...

"I'm willing to talk and act with them at their level"

Let me put it this way, that remark is very patronizing on one level, but one could also ask...are your really that insecure or desperate to be accepted, that you would change who you are to be accepted ?

[Morakot]

Integration is not the only acculturation strategy.There are more ways:

1. Integration: individuals are able to adopt the cultural norms of the dominant or host culture while maintaining their culture of origin. Integration leads to, and is often synonymous with biculturalism
2. Assimilation: individuals adopt the cultural norms of a dominant or host culture, over their original culture
3. Separation: individuals reject the dominant or host culture in favour of preserving their culture of origin. Separation is often facilitated by immigration to ethnic enclaves
4. Marginalization: occurs when individuals reject both their culture of origin and the dominant host culture

Each style depends on the relationship with the own ethnic group and the majority in the immigration country.

Integration tends the be positive both ways, but may not be possible for all aspects of life.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Morakot

[aircooledflat4]

...but also dressing like them..

So how do you dress now?

[CharlieH]

Dont fool yourself, you will be tolerated and nothing more.

[Ulysses G.]

I have no interest in being Thai or pretending to be Thai, but I much prefer to live amongst them, compared to other cultures. They are generally pretty easy to get along with and the girls are really feminine, pretty and flirtatious.

Edited May 8, 2014 by Ulysses G.

[apiwan]

Depends what circles you mix in.

Dress like them !

If north northwest. Then a piece of cloth would suffice .

However in parts of Bangkok they all wear designer clothes. Prada. Armani etc etc.

By all means learn the language it will help you no end.

But. Why you just can't be yourself.???

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[A1Str8]

Integrate into thai society? Many have tried...All failed.

Makes me wonder though what are thais so afraid of?

Because the fact that they don't accept anybody as one of their own is a fear based issue they should have dealt with a long time ago. Props to them to keep it real. They are narak555.

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[mcfish]

...but also dressing like them..

So how do you dress now?

If your coming to Bangkok they mostly wear jeans, t shirts, shorts , sneakers..that sort of thing

Are you sure your going to adapt?

[h90]

...but also dressing like them..

So how do you dress now?

here I am almost the only one barefoot, while the Thais walk with shoes

[Seastallion]

Turn it around and think about your homeland.

Immigrants that do not adapt to some of their host country's customs are demonised. Looked down upon and blamed for racial tension. By all means they can retain their dress and food, their religious beliefs, their celebrations (although some rednecks will condemn them for those things too), but some of the host's customs should be taken up. Language is a biggy, in my opinion, as communication is important.

Local ettiquette is important to adopt. Can you imagine what the average American/European/Anitpodean would feel about an immigrant who didn't learn what was considered good and bad manners and thus constantly offended people, albeit unknowingly?

Turn it around and ask yourself what you would like to see of immigrants/visitors in your homeland, and then don't follow a double standard.

[weegee]

...but also dressing like them..

So how do you dress now?

here I am almost the only one barefoot, while the Thais walk with shoes

Yeah... but they always get a bit tight when you go to a wedding like that ....right????

[pigeonjake]

does wearing my sarong round the house count as being thai,,,,???

back to my coffee,,

[Soutpeel]

Turn it around and think about your homeland.

Immigrants that do not adapt to some of their host country's customs are demonised. Looked down upon and blamed for racial tension. By all means they can retain their dress and food, their religious beliefs, their celebrations (although some rednecks will condemn them for those things too), but some of the host's customs should be taken up. Language is a biggy, in my opinion, as communication is important.

Local ettiquette is important to adopt. Can you imagine what the average American/European/Anitpodean would feel about an immigrant who didn't learn what was considered good and bad manners and thus constantly offended people, albeit unknowingly?

Turn it around and ask yourself what you would like to see of immigrants/visitors in your homeland, and then don't follow a double standard.

Your talking about something completely different from what the OP's commenting on, 99.9% of farang's in Thailand are not immigrants any way, further the local population don't want you to integrate for the most part, your a farang and you will always be a farang, even if you get a Thai passport.....your tolerated that's all.

the difference between Thailand and the places you have cited, those countries/natives want the immigrants to integrate and its the immigrants who resist the integration, Thailand on the other hand has too many "immigrants" desperate to be "Thai" and the locals "don't want you" integrate because "you farang"

[Soutpeel]

does wearing my sarong round the house count as being thai,,,,???

back to my coffee,,

Only if you have a white vest, big Buddha medallion and flip flops on

[weegee]

does wearing my sarong round the house count as being thai,,,,???

back to my coffee,,

I hope thats behind closed doors Jake!!!.....

[AnotherOneAmerican]

I wear faded and worn jeans, black death metal t-shirts and flip flops.

Same as 90% or the other Thai males in Chiang Mai (when not at work).

What are you thinking of wearing?

[star kicker]

it does give you a great excuse when you get caught out philandering with your gik or want to set up a mia noi just round the corner.

you can say to your beloved; but dear, i'm just embracing thai culture

[Som wat]

I don't expect the Thais to suddenly see me as one of their own, but I would like them to understand that I respect their culture and I'm willing to talk and act with them at their level.

Wai every single one of them. From the motosai taxi riders and street cleaners up.

Eat at road stalls 3-4 times a day, spending not more than 30b a meal.

Tell them that you love Thailand and love Thais.

They love humbleness.

You'll be fine.

And ranting in a Chang vest within 6 months.

[sustento]

Turn it around and think about your homeland.

Immigrants that do not adapt to some of their host country's customs are demonised. Looked down upon and blamed for racial tension. By all means they can retain their dress and food, their religious beliefs, their celebrations (although some rednecks will condemn them for those things too), but some of the host's customs should be taken up. Language is a biggy, in my opinion, as communication is important.

Local ettiquette is important to adopt. Can you imagine what the average American/European/Anitpodean would feel about an immigrant who didn't learn what was considered good and bad manners and thus constantly offended people, albeit unknowingly?

Turn it around and ask yourself what you would like to see of immigrants/visitors in your homeland, and then don't follow a double standard.

This ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

[HardenedSoul]

Integrate into thai society? Many have tried...All failed.

Makes me wonder though what are thais so afraid of?

Because the fact that they don't accept anybody as one of their own is a fear based issue they should have dealt with a long time ago. Props to them to keep it real. They are narak555.

Sent from my GT-I9500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Who gives a toss? Given the sheer scale of the country's problems and shortcomings of the culture, why on earth would anyone who isn't Thai want to be Thai?

It's a great place to live if you've got scratch - I feel very fortunate to be here - but if I had to live like a Thai, earn like a Thai and slot neatly into my social pigeonhole like a Thai, I'd freakin' slash my wrists.

[h90]

...but also dressing like them..

So how do you dress now?

here I am almost the only one barefoot, while the Thais walk with shoes

Yeah... but they always get a bit tight when you go to a wedding like that ....right????

I never go on weddings...don't know why no one invites me...

[Seastallion]

Turn it around and think about your homeland.

Immigrants that do not adapt to some of their host country's customs are demonised. Looked down upon and blamed for racial tension. By all means they can retain their dress and food, their religious beliefs, their celebrations (although some rednecks will condemn them for those things too), but some of the host's customs should be taken up. Language is a biggy, in my opinion, as communication is important.

Local ettiquette is important to adopt. Can you imagine what the average American/European/Anitpodean would feel about an immigrant who didn't learn what was considered good and bad manners and thus constantly offended people, albeit unknowingly?

Turn it around and ask yourself what you would like to see of immigrants/visitors in your homeland, and then don't follow a double standard.

Your talking about something completely different from what the OP's commenting on, 99.9% of farang's in Thailand are not immigrants any way, further the local population don't want you to integrate for the most part, your a farang and you will always be a farang, even if you get a Thai passport.....your tolerated that's all.

the difference between Thailand and the places you have cited, those countries/natives want the immigrants to integrate and its the immigrants who resist the integration, Thailand on the other hand has too many "immigrants" desperate to be "Thai" and the locals "don't want you" integrate because "you farang"

I would defer to your vastly greater experience, and I am sure your words have a genuine basis, however my limited experience is that following etiquette and attempting the language brings respect and a desire for empathy. Who cares that I will never be accepted as Thai? I am not Thai, and wish to remain who I am, but I am happy that my attempts at following local good manners and learning the language has opened doors and pre-empted difficult situations.

Furthermore, I disagree that the locals don't want me to integrate....my experience has been that they encourage it and enjoy it, and respect me for it. I still do my Kiwi "rituals", and maintain my "farangness" but only where they do not offend.

I still maintain my stance of looking at it from the view where the shoe is on the other foot. Maybe I do not live in the Thai equivalent of redneck country, because I can see there you would have a point....but not all of Thailand is redneck, just as not all of America or Australia is.

[Briggsy]

I coud ask the OP how he thinks he will fit in to their patronage and family networks that are the basic societal structure here, but he would probably go on in the vein of "but I am wearing a pha khao ma....." so it is probably just a waste of time.

[Johpa]

I tried to assimilate towards Thai culture but the Thais were moving towards western culture quicker than I was able to integrate into traditional Thai, well Lanna culture. There are now only three men, including myself, in the village, all of us over 60, willing to wear a pakama in public and we all get grief from our wives for doing so except for 90 year old Uey Kieow. But I seem to have integrated well as I am still drinking Thai "whiskey" with the same cast of tambon (sub-district) characters from over the past 30 years. The only diference is that me and my drinking pals all go home and go to sleep long before midnight and let our sons do the drinking for us into the wee hours.

[stoneyboy]

I eat som tam and drink leo beer does that count.

[Som wat]

I pick my nose. Does that count?

[SoiBiker]

I think it makes sense to learn at least a bit of the language, adopt whatever local customs you feel comfortable with whilst respecting the rest, and not get all hung up and bent out of shape about whether the Thai people love you or just 'tolerate' you.

[Som wat]

I spent my first years here studying Thai full-time.

One of the best things I've done in Thailand. Highly advisable to those who aren't just passing through.

[HardenedSoul]

I think it makes sense to learn at least a bit of the language, adopt whatever local customs you feel comfortable with whilst respecting the rest, and not get all hung up and bent out of shape about whether the Thai people love you or just 'tolerate' you.

Quite right although i sometimes think that this is all an extension of the insecurity some feel over being liked, spoken to and tolerated solely because of their money.

It's a weird one

So many genuinely believe that greater wealth ought to positively guarantee fawning, sycophantic respect and loyalty from the locals lower down the wealth stakes.

Interminable allusions to the amount of money they contribute to the economy, the dirt poor family and the soi dog they willingly adopted and dutifully maintain and the fact they're not lining up for state handouts (as if there are any) are present within any number of threads on this forum.

I mean if a rich Thai bloke turned up in England with a bit of wedge, hooked up with a single mum of 4 from a Thamesmead housing estate and bought a house, he might be able to get a passport and indefinite leave to remain if he played it right.

Indeed, the government would even call him a British citizen but would the British people?