Wanderlust: Expat Life & Style in Thailand June / July 2017: The Business Issue | Page 21

feels offended by the ac-
tion of an elder but choos-
es to remain silent to avoid
overstepping bounds. At
work, a Thai employee
may avoid critiquing a col-
league’s work too bluntly in
the name of greng jai.
Conceptually, greng jai
is similar to “saving face,”
which is prevalent in many
eastern cultures. It stands
in stark contrast to the
more outspoken culture of
the West. Americans, for ex-
ample, might be more con-
cerned with the process
behind a business relation-
ship than the building of
rapport. In comparison to
Thais, Americans are more
direct. They ask questions;
they may challenge author-
ity figures; and they seek
clarity when needed.
3
WATCH
THIS
SPACE
Thais tend to feel much
more comfortable being
physically close to one oth-
er in a way different from
what you may be used to,
if you’re from a Western
country. While allowing
people plenty of elbow
room is considered polite
in countries such as the
U.S. and U.K., this space
might be perceived as a
sign of emotional distance
in Thailand.
In Bangkok, for exam-
ple, you might see people
of the same sex — and not
necessarily in a relation-
ship — walking down the
street holding hands. Thai
co-workers might pat each
other or link arms, which
is something people in a
Western office environ-
ment may regard as inap-
propriate or even as work-
place harassment.
4
TAKE A
BOW
Western culture re-
lies on handshakes for
introductions. If done im-
properly or with aggressive
intentions, a handshake
can turn into a power play.
One party may show dom-
inance by grasping the
hand of the other person
too strongly. Or one per-
son might extend his or her
hand palm down so that
the recipient must shake
in a subordinate, palm up
position. A polite hand-
shake is firm without too
much pressure and only
lasts a moment or two.
Importance is placed on
this initial greeting, and it is
to be done while maintain-
ing eye contact.
In Thailand, though, it
is not customary to shake
hands. During business in-
troductions, it is instead
more common for Thais
to “wai” at one another in
greeting, by clasping their
hands together and plac-
ing them at nose level.
There are different degrees
of the height of “wai” de-
pending on the perceived
status level. The higher up
you “wai” and the deeper
you bow, the more defer-
ence you show.
5 PACK IN
THE PDAs
6 MEETINGS
MATTER
Like the West, physical dis-
plays of affection (PDA)
amongst couples are not
encouraged in the work-
place, and it is rare for
people to kiss in public in
Thailand. It is considered
quite risqué, in fact. While
physical affection between
a couple in the workplace
wouldn’t be a form of ha-
rassment as it is in the
West, it is still considered
inappropriate and taboo in
Thailand.
Because of the emphasis
placed on relationships,
business negotiations are
much slower in Thailand.