Thailand

Brett Van BuskirkJeffery Grabel

Kunthida Jariyavithayakul Brandon McMullen

Helen RubyTheodore Smith

Introduction

Attitudes

Collectivism

Relationships

Attitude

Mai Pen Rai

Sense of Time

Smile

Relationships

Attitude – Mai Pen Rai

Calm and Collected Voice Easy going people/ culture Reciprocate pleasant attitude

Patience Traffic jams 30 minute wait = 1 hour wait.

Attitude – Time Sense

Polychromic Loosely organized Easy going

Not closely controlled Not strictly managed

Attitude - Smiles

Smile often

Resolve miss-understandings

Sorry, happy, hello, good bye

Attitude - Relationships

Long term relations

Calm

Patience

Smile

Collectivism

Individualistic vs Collectivistic

US vs. Thailand

Hofstede model

Buddhism (relate to collectivism)

Collectivism

Individualistic (USA) People taking care of themselves Making decisions based on individual needs "I" mentality

Collectivistic (Thailand) Primary loyalty to group Decision-making based on what is best for the

group. "We" mentality

Collectivism – Thailand vs. U.S.

Collectivism – Buddhism Low individualistic = High Buddhism

Collectivism

 Buddhism - leading a moral life, being mindful and aware of thoughts and actions, and developing wisdom and understanding.

Collectivism

Individualistic (USA) "I" mentality

Collectivistic (Thailand) "We" mentality

Buddhism is found more in Collectivistic countries

Relationships – First Impressions

Critical importance

Business cards

Gifts

Relationships - Building

Oriented towards long term relationships

Emphasis on repeat business

Building personal as well as business relationships

= Effective business negotiations

Relationships - Manners

Be patient

Be polite

Speak clearly, slowly and well-toned

Do not over gesture

Follow protocols

Importance of dinning etiquette

Relationships - Respect

Social hierarchy

To older persons

To higher positions

Food

Conclusion Attitude

Influence and importance

Collectivism Importance among culture and religion

Relationships Built with manners & respect

Easy Thai Words to Learn

HelloMan : Sa-Was-Dee-KhubWoman : Sa-Was-Dee-Ka

Thank youMan : Kob-Kun-KhubWoman : Kob-Kun-Ka

*Khub and Ka make words more polite.

Thank you

Kob-Kun-Ka

Team Thailand

Bibliography

Hofstede, Geert. “Thailand Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions Explained.” Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions. ITIM

International. 2003. <http://www.geert-hofstede.com/hofstede_thailand.shtml>

The title page picture is from InternationalLiving.com (http://www.il-ireland.com/il/promos/Thailand/0206.htm).

Ronald McDonald Wai: www.sgtowns.com/journal/bangkok/