Greetings
Which country in SEA greets people by pressing palms together and slightly bowing (Wai)
Thailand
The height of your hands shows the status of the person you are greeting
Peers / Equals: Thumbs touch the chin; index fingers touch the tip of the nose.
Elders / Superiors / Parents: Thumbs touch the bridge of the nose or eyebrows.
Monks / Royalty: Thumbs touch between the eyebrows or forehead with a deeper bow.
Is it okay to shout in meeting
No
In SEA, showing up on time is a sign of ______?
Respect
Point at people with your finger.
Dont
Point with open palm
In SEA is it better to protect someone's honor or pride?
Honor
Honor = public dignity & reputation that everyone sees; pride is personal feeling, but honor earns true respect and saves face.
Which hand do you use to give/receive things?
Right
Traditionally, left hand is usually used for personal hygiene. (If left-handed, use both hands)
Which voice tone is usually used: Calm or Loud?
Calm
Disturb people while praying?
No
Passing with your right hand in Malaysia
Do
Right hand is considered as clean and respectful as opposed to your left hand
Be humble or brag?
Be Humble
Boasting is seen as rude and arrogant; modesty shows respect and makes others comfortable - it earns more trust.
Should you call elders by first name or title?
Title
Using title says: I respect your age, experience, and position
Should you disagree openly in front of everyone?
No
It causes loss of face or in other words, getting humiliated
Stand when senior enters?
Yes
Standing up is a sign of honoring their age, rank, or position.
Keeping intense eye contact to show respect.
Dont
Keeping soft and gentle eye contact
In SEA, which is more important building personal trust or profit?
Personal trust
Relationships come first — people do business with those they trust; profit follows once genuine connection is built
Common business greeting: Handshake or Bow?
Handshake
Although bowing is still an option, handshakes are more universal.
In some SEA countries, what dies "Maybe" usually mean? Yes or No?
No
Direct refusal can be seen as rude
Should you or should you not share homemade food daily with Muslim colleagues?
You should not
Muslim colleagues may or may not have halal rules — unknown ingredients can be awkward or offensive
Show the bottom of your shoe to others.
Dont
In some SEA country the bottom of the shoe or feet in general is the dirtiest part of the body
In SEA is it important to keep work boundaries or mix family in?
Keep boundaries
Work stays professional; mixing family can blur roles, create pressure, and distract from business goals — unlike Filipino customs
Smiling when disagreeing is it seen as being nice or rude?
Nice
Smiling softens the message, noone feels attacked or humiliated
Is it okay to joke casually with your boss?
No
Joking casually is seen as overstepping boundaries, like equals instead of leader
In some SEA country which part of the body should never be touched?
Head
The head is considered the holiest and most sacred part of the body.
Keep a respectful distance when talking to colleagues.
Do
In some Islamic country, physical contact between men and women who arent close family is avoided due to their values
In SEA who usually makes the decisions?
Senior/Leader
Age, rank, and experience are highly valued - seniors carry authority and are responsible for the group's harmony.