"Figuring Foreigners Out"
The exercises contained in this workbook are very similar to those I was asked to complete as a study abroad student through the Center for International Educational Exchange (CIEE) so I have already spent considerable time thinking about the differences between Thai culture and American culture. The "invisible" values and beliefs that are found in many Thai's collectivist hierarchical view of society are very different than the typically individualistic non-static American society. If you picture Thai society as a board with thousands of nails in it, in general, a Thai person does not want to stick out any more or any less than any of the other nails around it. He or she would prefer to be nailed back into their place. As a result, there are many "visible" behavioral cultural practices that play out. For example, Thai people are often very indirect and non-confrontational. Even if I were doing something that greatly offended a Thai person and challenged their cultural norms and societal structure (i.e. standing straight up in a room full of people sitting on the floor cross-legged) they would still often be very reluctant to speak out and tell me to stop. The Thai hierarchy, particularly with regard to age, is especially pertinent to what we are learning in MLC 105 and MLC 110 because there are entirely different words that one must use with increased formality when speaking with an elder or a superior. This is sometimes the case in the United States, but probably not as rigid, strict, and potentially offensive as in Thailand. Therefore, these types of exercises are extremely useful while learning a language and before you have to learn the hard way as many of us "pharangs" had to experience on numerous occasions.
Another point to think about is clash of cultures that is occurring in some drastically westernizing cities such as Bangkok. Since, much of the inflow of money comes into Bangkok from foreigners (i.e. tourists and international businessmen) the western culture seems to predominate much of the city. I was caused on numerous occasions to question my role as a foreigner under these circumstances. A large part of me wanted to fight against this cultural dominance and lean more towards cultural preservation of the once pure Thai culture. Activities in "Figuring Foreigners Out" could be especially useful in opening more foreigners eyes to the reality of the clash of cultures and could potentially make a process containing more mutual respect.
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