The first time it happened to me was at a Thai post office. I was politely
waiting my turn to do business with the official when a kindly-looking man
stepped right in front of me, put his money on the counter and was cordially
helped on the spot. I wondered why the official didn’t just tell him to go to the
end of the line. That’s the way we were taught to do things where I come from. 5
I saw myself as the victim in a clear case of unjustified rudeness. And
it was treatment that I was unaccustomed to from such polite people as the
Thais. I could feel a critical remark inching toward my lips. I felt the
judgemental part of me emerging for the first time since arriving in Thailand. It
was a dreaded feeling. So I choked it off and patiently waited my turn. After 10
finishing my business, I walked off, still feeling a little surprised by what I had
witnessed.
An hour later I was at the bank, again beholding the line, when out of
the blue, two Thai bank customers swooped down in front of me and dropped
their passbooks, deposit slips, and cash in easy reach of the teller. And they 15
were accepted. There I stood waiting my turn like the considerate person I
was trained to be. By now I was questioning whether my training was
adequate.
I have learned something from those experiences. When I stand in line
in Thailand, I hug the line because it is no problem for others and it helps me 20
get served in what I consider to be the proper order. And when I am in line at
the bank, I do as the Thais do, I hand my business to the teller and I stand in
line waiting for the business to be completed. . It will be handled in the order
received and the documents to be returned will be returned as expected.
330 EN 201That’s how it is done in Thailand. And it works just fine. 2 5
These days I’m slow to judge others and quicker to understand myself.
I find that this approach makes for a better life whether I am in Thailand or that
place where I’m from.. ..far, far away.
Relax, and enjoy the beautiful Thai.
Tourist Police News Beautiful Thai May-June 1987.
The first time it happened to me was at a Thai post office. I was politely
waiting my turn to do business with the official when a kindly-looking man
stepped right in front of me, put his money on the counter and was cordially
helped on the spot. I wondered why the official didn’t just tell him to go to the
end of the line. That’s the way we were taught to do things where I come from. 5
I saw myself as the victim in a clear case of unjustified rudeness. And
it was treatment that I was unaccustomed to from such polite people as the
Thais. I could feel a critical remark inching toward my lips. I felt the
judgemental part of me emerging for the first time since arriving in Thailand. It
was a dreaded feeling. So I choked it off and patiently waited my turn. After 10
finishing my business, I walked off, still feeling a little surprised by what I had
witnessed.
An hour later I was at the bank, again beholding the line, when out of
the blue, two Thai bank customers swooped down in front of me and dropped
their passbooks, deposit slips, and cash in easy reach of the teller. And they 15
were accepted. There I stood waiting my turn like the considerate person I
was trained to be. By now I was questioning whether my training was
adequate.
I have learned something from those experiences. When I stand in line
in Thailand, I hug the line because it is no problem for others and it helps me 20
get served in what I consider to be the proper order. And when I am in line at
the bank, I do as the Thais do, I hand my business to the teller and I stand in
line waiting for the business to be completed. . It will be handled in the order
received and the documents to be returned will be returned as expected.
330 EN 201That’s how it is done in Thailand. And it works just fine. 2 5
These days I’m slow to judge others and quicker to understand myself.
I find that this approach makes for a better life whether I am in Thailand or that
place where I’m from.. ..far, far away.
Relax, and enjoy the beautiful Thai.
Tourist Police News Beautiful Thai May-June 1987.
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