eldragon Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Do Thai people enjoy putting each other down? I work in a Thai office. I'm the only foreigner in the office. I've been there about three months. I'm finding many of my co-workers seem to enjoy putting me down in a variety of ways: overreacting about stuff, making fun of small differences at every opportunity, etc. Many times they'll speak to me in a very excited and condescending tone, then seem annoyed when I respond with the same tone. It seems to be more common with the folks from NE Thailand. This is not Thai bashing. I'm just wondering if it's a cultural thing. I know Thai people are generally pretty jovial folks, but it's getting to be a bit much. And I feel things escalating as I continue to defend myself. I'm even thinking about quitting. But if I knew Thais talk to each other the same way, I might be a little more understanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
konying Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I am a boss and many NE Thailand folks take me for a fool. At the end of the day I am still the boss with money and they keep living month to month. Moral of the story is ignore,Just as you ignore dogs barking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirineou Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 nahhh. I don t think they are that way even with other farangs it's probanly you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokie36 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 nahhh. I don t think they are that way even with other farangs it's probanly you Have you been drinking sir? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldragon Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 nahhh. I don t think they are that way even with other farangs it's probanly you Was waiting for that one. Knew it wouldn't take long Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokie36 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Thais are the same as every other nation ...love to gossip and always a pecking order going on. Best get your alpha male suit on and smile your way to the top! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coulson Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Are they interpreting your 'similar response' as a form of sarcasm or mocking, maybe? I have seen humour turn into sulking very very quickly, once the sulking begins it can take a while to stop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirineou Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 nahhh. I don t think they are that way even with other farangs it's probanly you Have you been drinking sir? Why, yes I have,,, unfortunately not enough yet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asheron Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 "Do Thai people enjoy putting each other down?" Yes they do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldragon Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 Are they interpreting your 'similar response' as a form of sarcasm or mocking, maybe? I have seen humour turn into sulking very very quickly, once the sulking begins it can take a while to stop The usual response I get is "Why are you talking to me like that?" So my guess is either they're totally oblivious to the way they're talking to me or it's just a cultural thing and I'm gonna have to find a way to accept it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokie36 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) nahhh. I don t think they are that way even with other farangs it's probanly you Have you been drinking sir? Why, yes I have,,, unfortunately not enough yet Ahhh you better stick at it....same as the OP....don't quit...you'll get there! Edited June 14, 2015 by smokie36 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirineou Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 nahhh. I don t think they are that way even with other farangs it's probanly you Was waiting for that one. Knew it wouldn't take long I aim to please. no one is going to call me a slacker to be serious though, with our limited Thai language and their limited English skills, it is easy to misunderstand each others intentions and become defensive toward each other. This can have a self fulfilling prophecy affect, You perceive people as being negative toward you, you become defensive, they sense this defensiveness and become negative towards you. It can become a vicious cycle. In management, I think everyone can benefit from a Sales seminar, because believe it or not, you are always selling something. If it isn't product, it is an idea, a concept, motivation, your self. Zig Ziglar is my hero, "You are what you are and you are where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You change what you are and you change where you are by changing what goes into your mind" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldragon Posted June 14, 2015 Author Share Posted June 14, 2015 nahhh. I don t think they are that way even with other farangs it's probanly you Was waiting for that one. Knew it wouldn't take long I aim to please. no one is going to call me a slacker to be serious though, with our limited Thai language and their limited English skills, it is easy to misunderstand each others intentions and become defensive toward each other. This can have a self fulfilling prophecy affect, You perceive people as being negative toward you, you become defensive, they sense this defensiveness and become negative towards you. It can become a vicious cycle. In management, I think everyone can benefit from a Sales seminar, because believe it or not, you are always selling something. If it isn't product, it is an idea, a concept, motivation, your self. Zig Ziglar is my hero, "You are what you are and you are where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You change what you are and you change where you are by changing what goes into your mind" There's definitely a bit of that cycle going on. Great advice. Thx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 "Do Thai people enjoy putting each other down?" Yes they do. in comparison with whom ?....the self-righteous, anal, judgmental farang's on TV ?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Are they interpreting your 'similar response' as a form of sarcasm or mocking, maybe? I have seen humour turn into sulking very very quickly, once the sulking begins it can take a while to stop I see this every time I open a thread on TV and not a Thai in sight... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
h90 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I am a boss and many NE Thailand folks take me for a fool. At the end of the day I am still the boss with money and they keep living month to month. Moral of the story is ignore,Just as you ignore dogs barking. I have only southern and BKK staff and no problem at all after 12 years. But they are all technicians and I can operate every machine here + I can do the complete accounting work of the girls so they respect my skills. Actually the other problem when they think I can fix just about any problem without mistake which isn't possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coulson Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Are they interpreting your 'similar response' as a form of sarcasm or mocking, maybe? I have seen humour turn into sulking very very quickly, once the sulking begins it can take a while to stop I see this every time I open a thread on TV and not a Thai in sight... So we're not that different after all. (except for the sulking) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaorop Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Some thai like easy targets, hence farangs who dont understand whats been said are on that list. Sometimes its hard to accept it, but finding a way to get your own back without making an embarrassing scene is always a winning scenario. Sort of a passive aggressive style. I have quite a number of things that work, from years of dealing with Thais across the spectrum of age and status, but no way I'd subject myself to the tirade on here by describing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soutpeel Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Are they interpreting your 'similar response' as a form of sarcasm or mocking, maybe? I have seen humour turn into sulking very very quickly, once the sulking begins it can take a while to stop I see this every time I open a thread on TV and not a Thai in sight... So we're not that different after all. (except for the sulking) spend a bit more time on here and you will see plenty of sulking, girly hissy fits and stamping of little feet, I promise you ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Grumpy Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Do Thai People Enjoy Putting Each Other Down? Yes, they love to. Makes them feel good about themselves. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nev Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Some thai like easy targets, hence farangs who dont understand whats been said are on that list. Sometimes its hard to accept it, but finding a way to get your own back without making an embarrassing scene is always a winning scenario. Sort of a passive aggressive style. I have quite a number of things that work, from years of dealing with Thais across the spectrum of age and status, but no way I'd subject myself to the tirade on here by describing them.[/quote ] Have to agree with being easy targets due to not knowing what's said, now I understand a little so they back off, they love to gossip its a Thai pass time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Grumpy Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Crab in the bucket syndrome. Not many Thais are happy. Can't say I blame them for that to be honest. Many if not most have horrid lives with no hope of progression. Some just deal with it better than others. Most don't deal with it very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokie36 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Are they interpreting your 'similar response' as a form of sarcasm or mocking, maybe? I have seen humour turn into sulking very very quickly, once the sulking begins it can take a while to stop I see this every time I open a thread on TV and not a Thai in sight... So we're not that different after all.(except for the sulking) spend a bit more time on here and you will see plenty of sulking, girly hissy fits and stamping of little feet, I promise you ... Shhh....they are just misunderstood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
konying Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 I am a boss and many NE Thailand folks take me for a fool. At the end of the day I am still the boss with money and they keep living month to month. Moral of the story is ignore,Just as you ignore dogs barking. I have only southern and BKK staff and no problem at all after 12 years. But they are all technicians and I can operate every machine here + I can do the complete accounting work of the girls so they respect my skills. Actually the other problem when they think I can fix just about any problem without mistake which isn't possible. That's nice , my staff certain I am a master of all trades , so they let me do all the work , while they chat and play on the phones They also believe there is no need for them to do any work when I am around, as I can do it for them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
konying Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Crab in the bucket syndrome. Not many Thais are happy. Can't say I blame them for that to be honest. Many if not most have horrid lives with no hope of progression. Some just deal with it better than others. Most don't deal with it very well. What is so horrid about their life? When they only look 24 hours ahead Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wow64 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) OP are you there boss? Give back some remarks.. In thai would be good. Not comfortable speaking thai just say it in English.. Get some thicker skin as it wont stop... Sent from my c64 Edited June 14, 2015 by wow64 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redandyellow Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Question: Do Thai People Enjoy Putting Each Other Down? Answer: People Enjoy Putting Each Other Down. Synopsis: It's a human thing among the lower classes. However, one can rise above it, regardless of class and status. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy chef 1 Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 nahhh. I don t think they are that way even with other farangs it's probanly you Have you been drinking sir? All evening long...rest of the day I had to work.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Asheron Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 Crab in the bucket syndrome. Not many Thais are happy. Can't say I blame them for that to be honest. Many if not most have horrid lives with no hope of progression. Some just deal with it better than others. Most don't deal with it very well. What is so horrid about their life? When they only look 24 hours ahead 24 hours? Thought it was more like "what time do we eat next time?" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beetlejuice Posted June 14, 2015 Share Posted June 14, 2015 (edited) nahhh. I don t think they are that way even with other farangs it's probanly you Was waiting for that one. Knew it wouldn't take long Don`t know how old you are? But you seem to have much to learn about life experiences. I have worked in many countries and it`s always been the same, that when you are the new boy, your work colleges will try it on, meaning, because they know you are at a disadvantage being new, unless a person comes in of a high rank. The trick is, to make it apparent from the start that you`re not one who will tolerant BS by displaying your feelings in a clear, firm and precise way without going over the top or being paranoid. As the wise man says; start as you mean to continue, or just tolerate it and be the long and suffering. Edited June 14, 2015 by Beetlejuice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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