oered again, accept; it is considered an honor to have the last bit
of food.
●
To entertain a small group, take them to an excellent restaurant
in a prestigious hotel. For a large group, arrange a buet supper.
Always include ai wives in business dinners.
●
Expect to eat with Western-style forks and spoons. Keep the fork
in the le hand and the spoon in the right (reverse this if you are
le-handed). Cut with the side of the spoon, not the fork. Use the
fork to push food onto the spoon.
●
Drink tea or beer with meals. Drink water only if you have seen it
being poured from a bottle.
●
Many ais smoke aer dinner, but do not be the rst to light up.
Always pass cigarettes around to the men at the table. Although
traditional ai women do not smoke or drink in public, it is
acceptable for Western women to do so.
Cultural Note
Monks are not permitted to touch the opposite sex. If you are female, do not expect them to
shake your hand. If you need to give something to a monk, place it in front of him, or give it to a
man to pass along. Monks are not expected to thank you for a contribution either—however,
you always thank them for providing you with a means to better your life today, and in the
future.
●
3
PROTOCOL
Greetings
●
e graceful, traditional ai greeting is called a wai. Press your

●
Chinese names generally consist of a family name, followed by two
(sometimes one) personal names. In the name Chang Wu Jiang,
“Chang” is the surname (or clan name). He would be addressed
with his title plus Chang (Mr. Chang, Dr. Chang). For further
information on the proper titles and forms of address for Chinese
names, please see Appendix A.
●
Ethnic ais predominate in government positions, but they will
also be found in the business world.
●
Since the adoption of surnames in the 1920s, ethnic ais gener-
ally have two names. eir given name will come rst, then their
surname. Given names in ailand are oen unique, and have a
specic meaning. Only the most discerning travelers learn which
ones apply to women and which to men.
●
Address people by their title (or Mr./Mrs.) and their given (rst)
name. e short ai term for “Mr.,” “Mrs.,” or “Miss” is Khun
(although there are longer forms as well). us, former prime
minister Chatichai Choonhavan could theoretically have been
addressed as Khun Chatichai.
●
Nicknames are popular in ailand. Do not be surprised if the
ais give you a nickname, particularly if your name is hard for
them to pronounce.
Gestures
●
Public displays of aection between members of the opposite sex
are not condoned. However, members of the same sex may touch

Much has been written about Thailand’s sex industry. Since the proliferation of HIV
(approximately 600,000 Thais live with HIV or AIDS as of this writing), it is an even more
perilous occupation—endangering providers and patrons alike. It is projected that 40,000 to
60,000 Thais will die from AIDS-related causes each year, the majority being between twenty
and twenty-four years of age.
Dress
●
For business, men should wear a lightweight suit or slacks and a
jacket, white shirt and tie; women should wear plain, conservative
dresses or suits. Women should not wear black dresses, a color the
ais reserve for funerals or mourning.
●
Dress for success. ais are impressed with a neat appearance and
rened clothing.
Thailand

181
182

Kiss, Bow, or Shake Hands: Asia
●
In casual settings, men should wear slacks and shirts, with
or without ties; women should wear light dresses or skirts and
blouses. Short-sleeved blouses are acceptable, but sleeveless ones
are not. Both sexes may wear jeans (but may nd them too hot).
Shorts are acceptable on the streets, but not in the temples.
●
Men should wear traditional summer formal attire for formal
occasions—white jacket, black pants, and black tie; women should
wear long dresses. Black is acceptable to wear at a formal event if

WHAT’S YOUR CULTURAL IQ?
1.
Vietnam was divided into two antagonistic countries between
1956 and 1975. TRUE or FALSE: During this time, the south was
known as “e Democratic Republic of Vietnam,” while the north
chose the shorter “Republic of Vietnam.”
ANSWER: FALSE. Reverse the names. South Vietnam used the name Republic of Vietnam.
In common with other Communist-bloc countries, North Vietnam added “Democratic” to its
name (although it was nothing of the sort).
2.
e traditional Vietnamese coat of arms is decorated with four
animals. TRUE or FALSE: ree of these animals on the coat of
arms are mythological.
ANSWER: TRUE. The coat of arms boasts a dragon, a unicorn, a phoenix, and a turtle.