Attire and appearance
1. What clothing is appropriate for foreigners attending business meetings in Thailand?
Answer: Conservative, professional clothing is generally appropriate. Men commonly wear dress trousers, collared shirts, and sometimes suits and ties. Women can wear professional dresses, skirts, or trousers with modest blouses.
6. Should you bring gifts to Thai business partners? Which gifts are appropriate or offensive?
Answer: A modest gift can be appropriate when visiting a business partner, particularly when there is an established relationship or a special occasion. Good options include a quality Canadian souvenir, a locally made product, or a tasteful gift from your company.
11. How does Thai business communication differ from Canadian communication?
Answer: Thai business communication can be more indirect and focused on maintaining harmony than communication in some Canadian workplaces.
2. What clothing, accessories, or styles should foreigners avoid?
Answer: Avoid clothing that is excessively revealing, overly casual, or inappropriate for the setting, such as beachwear at a business meeting. Avoid accessories or designs that could be seen as insulting religious symbols or disrespectful images.
7. How should business cards be exchanged and treated in Thailand?
Answer: Offer your business card politely, preferably with both hands or with the right hand supported by the left. Receive a card respectfully, take a moment to read it, and avoid immediately writing on it or stuffing it into a pocket without looking.
12. What does kreng jai mean, and how can it affect communication?
Answer: Kreng jai is a Thai concept involving consideration for others and reluctance to impose, inconvenience, or embarrass someone.
3. Do colours have cultural or religious significance in Thailand?
Answer: Yes. Certain colours have associations with days of the week and Thai traditions. However, there is no universal rule that business visitors must wear particular colours.
8. Should business cards be printed in Thai, English, or both?
Answer: English may be sufficient for some international business settings, but a bilingual card in Thai and English can be helpful when working with Thai-speaking partners.
13. What gestures or body language could be considered rude in Thailand?
Answer: Touching someone's head, pointing at people or objects with your feet, and using your feet to move objects are generally considered disrespectful.