The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

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Big Boy
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The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by Big Boy »

I've just read the attached article and can relate to all 5 stages, but don't think I've actually achieved 1 to 5 100% yet.

At a recent installment of Random Thainess, an event where speakers talk about their experiences with Thai life and culture, Kasetsart University Professor Rachawit Photiyarach, broke down the five stages of culture shock in Thailand for foreigners.

From “Thai people are the kindest in the world,” to “Why is every Thai trying to rip me off?!” most foreigners have lived through all of these stages during their time in Thailand.

Professor Rachawit, a lecturer on intercultural communications, based his talk on ideas from intercultural scholar Peter Adler.

Adler said that culture shock is an emotional reaction to loss of one’s own culture and misunderstanding of new experiences. He has said that culture shock causes feelings of helplessness, irritability, being cheated, contaminated, injured, or disregarded.

Although culture shock is usually seen negatively, it’s also a great catalyst for learning and personal growth.

You might find some of these feelings familiar. You’ve probably even said some of these lines yourself.

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2016/07/29/f ... s-thailand

I'm sure many others will fit themselves somewhere onto the scale.
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by Takiap »

If I had to choose between one of the 5 stages mentioned, I would be very tempted to say I reached the 5th stage quite some time ago. Having said that, I do also acknowledge the fact that I cannot speak fluent Thai, and yes, on rare occasions I still bitch about some of the things that are essentially part of Thai culture. However, when I do bitch about such things, it is almost always in a very lighthearted way.


I know I'm still happy to be living here. :D


:cheers:
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by Big Boy »

I'm the same, because I've reached one stage, it doesn't mean I've got the other stage out of my system. I don't think I'll ever fully resolve Stage 3. However, as with Takiap, I'm very happy living here.
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The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by hhinner »

I don't think I ever went through stage 3 (anger at being ripped off). Except with Bangkok taxi drivers, which I'm pretty sure was justified. :)
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by Big Boy »

LOL - Bangkok taxi drivers are generally the most honest bunch I've come across here - there are exceptions of course :D

I'm actually about 5/6th of the way to achieving stage 3. I have no problem at all with:
“Thais are so ignorant of the outside world. They should follow Western ways,” “Why don’t these people speak English and understand my culture?”
My gripe, and it's only with a small %, is:
“Thai people are so dishonest, I’m always getting ripped off.”
I don't think I'll ever get over that one.

It's not only with Farang either. This morning Mrs BB wanted rice. There's a shop not far away that sells the rice she likes @ 42 Baht/Kg. Apparently she reckons she's getting ripped off because they see a Farang in the car. So I've now got to drive to the other side of Hua Hin to buy the same rice at the correct price.

I must say, many Thais seem to want money for nothing. Fortunately, we are getting to know our way around the honest ones. However, I don't think I'd ever be at ease buying from a stranger here.
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by Bamboo Grove »

I think, this is the main idea:
“I know some Thais are trying hard to understand me, so I should meet them halfway,” “I can maintain my values and also behave in culturally appropriate ways” or “The more I understand this culture, the better I can live here happily.”
Many of those who complain all the time, don't really want to know anything about the culture, language and the people of Thailand and this causes the distress. They still see themselves as colonial overlords and laugh at things "native." I don't think, I was ever at stage 3 during my 19 years in Thailand.
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

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I think that in my ten years there I reached to somewhere in early stage 4. As for the cultural differences or being cheated by Thais, I never had problems with that very much, only isolated incidences. I felt that as a whole Thais were pretty friendly and honest. Most of the big rip off's I encountered (and there were some doosies) were perpetrated by other expats.

Even though I griped a lot about things like trash, traffic, parking, dogs, rats, bugs, snakes, etc., the climate is the one thing I could never adjust to and what eventually made me leave. If it wasn't sooooo hot and humid all the time I probably could have stayed and reached stage 5 except for the language thing. I don't think I could ever learn to speak Thai fluently, read and write mabey but not speak.
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by RCer »

Great post BB.
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by VincentD »

I feel somehow compelled to add to this thread..
It's a mishmash of all the different stages: there is no clear-cut stage insofar as I am concerned. They can infuriate me one day and the next day they will be the kindest people around..

I have a cousin in from England; he's been here almost a week and still thinks Thailand, with all it's quirks, is still quite a liveable place. He did live in Thailand and went to school here as a boy but went back to England when he was eleven. With BREXIT and other considerations, he may be out here half yearly once he retires..

Things that happened..
Went condo shopping - had one of the girls rolling on the floor when asked where the helicopter landing pad on the flat roof was; it totally went over the head of the first.
Got two packs of mango and sticky rice at a large shopping center from an old lady at 50 baht each, she then pointed to the grilled sticky rice and banana/cassava snack. Though they cost 20 baht each, she insisted on giving my cousin one of each type, for him to try. Refused any payment.
Went for pork brain soup near Ratdamnoen Road, was recognised by the shop owner. Had a long chat, he enjoyed the soup, and the bus we got to get back to the Victory Monument was free of charge.
Got on a minibus to get to Chatuchak park. Driver asks, where are people getting off and adjusts his route to avoid major roadworks. Got there in half the time it usually takes.
At Chatuchak he gets 10 postcards at 10 baht each. He gives the stallholder 100 baht and is told, go take another one for free..

I understand Thai and Thailand the way it works, it could however go totally against the grain for people who know the fixed route, but every day is a new day. After being resident for more than 25 years I am still discovering new things.. :)
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by crazy88 »

Quite a good article. The stage where people get angry and disillusioned is so common. In my opinion many people do not try to integrate in the right ways Visit a few temples on holiday , never make Thai friends and moan about the multiple scams in tourist areas forgetting what happens to tourists in their own country. English lesson sellers at Victoria station, 100 quid for a fruit cocktail in a bar in Soho, a lump of boot polish that is supposed to be hashish, card sharp and find the pea under the cup in Amsterdam, cheap cars that are actually 3 ringers welded together and so on. I remember watching several hapless and greedy mugs buying machines that made 5 pound notes and "Genuine" cape de monte roses at woolwich market. There are plenty of decent people here that want nothing from you and are happy to help you once they realise you are a decent person as well. Just target yourself in areas where you are likely to meet them and make an effort to learn a bit of the language.

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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

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Must be a bit of a 'bummer' though...25 years and still being called, Wincen! :wink:
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by VincentD »

Christopher.. no, the locals have moved on and now call me 'Loong Win'.. Loong means older uncle and is considered a term of respect.
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

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ลุงวิน...Very nice. ;)
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Re: The five stages of culture shock in Thailand

Post by Baanguru »

This 5 stages of culture shock for foreigners in Thailand is an interesting one. In fact, I find it very true since some of my foreign friends had experience those. The most common one they've encountered was of course the difference in language as it is hard to learn Thai so communicating with the locals who cannot converse in English is such a huge problem whenever you want to ask something or buy something.
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