Essay --

In this essay I would like to reflect what I have personally learn more about Thai culture from my intercultural interaction with a Thai person as well as through my in depth reading about Thai culture and history. Thai culture characteristics, behaviors, and values share many similarities and differences with my Taiwanese culture. The person who I interviewed with had given me a great insight into Thai way of thinking and ways of life. Although I have been living in Thai for so many years, but with my Taiwanese upbringing culture I have learn some of the prominent Thai culture, believes, values, and characteristics to be too difficult to understand. In this essay, you will find discussion and examples of Thai prominent cultures, values, believe and Thai historical events and people who had played a great role in changing Thais ways of life. Next, follow by the discussion of Taiwanese culture and Thai culture in comparison and contrast. In the end of the essay, I will propose some of the ways I believe can help to cope with some of Thais cultural shocks. When looking at a broad picture of Thai nation, one can easily identified that Thai is a agricultural society. Rice is what Thai people eat on the daily basis. Yet, Thailand is one of the world biggest exporters in rice product. There is also a saying in Thailand that, â€Å"Farmer is the backbone of the nation.† Here, farmers is not actually the ‘backbone’ or the physical backbone of Thai nation, but backbone in this phrase metaphor the crucial organ in the person body to survive. This shows that Thailand rely heavily on agriculture product and activities. Believe and activities in relation to the agricultural background of Thais, including worshiping â€Å"Pra-mae-po-sop† (Goddess of R... ...s to show friendliness. It is as though strangers are accepted as member of the kin group. Since I am a Taiwanese living in Thailand for so many year, I know some of the ways to cope with these cultural shocks. Here, I would like to suggest you can handle cultural shock in Thai culture. People of different culture may had experience frustration, confusion, tension, or even embarrassment when encounter with another culture. There are two choices you can to can choose from: one is try to observe, listen, inquire which can result in understanding . Another is criticize, rationalize, and withdraw which can result in alienation and isolation. However, some may choose other alternatives such as by gathering information and learn about new culture as much as possible. Second, is to make socio-cultural adjustments. And third is adapting , sharing, experiencing and enjoy.