Greetings & Respect
In Thailand, this polite gesture involves pressing your palms together and bowing slightly.
Wai
You’re entering a Thai home for a meal. What must you do before stepping inside?
Take off your shoes?
You pass by a temple. What’s a respectful way to show reverence?
Wai and/or silent bow
In a meeting, who should you greet first?
The most senior person?
True or False: It is respectful to touch someone’s head when greeting them in Thailand.
False
You see a dog walking into a restaurant. What is the typical Thai reaction?
Ignore it unless it causes a problem. Petting it and touching it without permission from the owner is deemed as disrespectful.
You’re handed something by an elder. How should you receive it?
With both hands and a slight bow?
True or False: You want to show someone something with your foot. Should you do it?
No, not at all. Feet are considered the lowest part of the body and it is absolutely disrespectful.
You’re eating with locals, and someone older offers you food. What should you do before eating?
Wait for them to begin eating first?
You notice your Thai colleague avoids directly saying “no” to a manager's suggestion, even if they disagree. Why?
They want to avoid confrontation and maintain harmony, especially to someone senior. This can be represented by the concept of “saving face”.
You accidentally drop something on a Buddha image. What is the best reaction?
Apologize sincerely and handle it with care and respect
You see someone pressing their hands together and bowing slightly toward a spirit house in front of a building. What does this gesture mean?
They are paying respect to guardian spirits, a common practice in Thai animist and Buddhist tradition?
You want to pay the bill at a team lunch. What’s the polite thing to do?
Offer once, but don’t insist, especially if someone more senior offers to pay.