Handbook for U.S. Host Families of Thai Participants June 2010 Table of Contents Foreword ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Objectives of Handbook ............................................................................................................ 1 Thai Culture Quiz .......................................................................................................................... 2 Answers to Thai Culture Quiz ................................................................................................... 3 Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 5 What is Culture? ....................................................................................................................... 5 The Cultural Iceberg ................................................................................................................. 5 Generalizations and Stereotypes .............................................................................................. 7 Culture and Perception ............................................................................................................. 9 Communication ........................................................................................................................... 10 Greetings ................................................................................................................................ 10 Communication Styles ............................................................................................................ 10 What Does “Yes” Actually Mean? ........................................................................................... 13 Mai Pen Rai ............................................................................................................................ 13 Showing Negative Emotions ................................................................................................... 14 Volume and Tone of Voice ...................................................................................................... 14 Eye Contact ............................................................................................................................ 15 Disagreements ........................................................................................................................ 15 Conflict Resolution .................................................................................................................. 16 Nicknames .............................................................................................................................. 17 Independence/Dependence ........................................................................................................ 18 Religion & Beliefs ........................................................................................................................ 19 Attending Religious Services .................................................................................................. 19 The Middle Way – Guiding Life Philosophy ............................................................................ 20 Ramadan for Muslim Students ................................................................................................ 21 Life Cycle Customs ................................................................................................................. 22 Religious and National Symbols ............................................................................................. 23 Holidays .................................................................................................................................. 25 Color Days .............................................................................................................................. 26 Family Life ................................................................................................................................... 27 Urban vs. Rural ....................................................................................................................... 27 Relationships with Friends and Siblings.................................................................................. 27 Friendships ................................................................................................................................. 29 Schools ....................................................................................................................................... 30 Social Activities and Sports at School ..................................................................................... 31 Homework ............................................................................................................................... 31 English Learning ..................................................................................................................... 32 Muslim Students at School ..................................................................................................... 32 School Support ....................................................................................................................... 33 School Fees ............................................................................................................................ 33 Open or Closed Campus......................................................................................................... 33 Social Values .......................................................................................................................... 34 Personal Hygiene .................................................................................................................... 34 Other Factors .............................................................................................................................. 36 Economy ................................................................................................................................. 36 Internet Availability .................................................................................................................. 36 Environmental Issues .............................................................................................................. 37 Concept of Time in Thailand ................................................................................................... 37 Thai Food and Etiquette .......................................................................................................... 37 Modesty/Nudity/Sexuality ............................................................................................................ 39 Modesty .................................................................................................................................. 39 Nudity/Sexuality ...................................................................................................................... 40 Diversity/Prejudice/Disability ....................................................................................................... 42 Diversity .................................................................................................................................. 42 Disabilities ............................................................................................................................... 43 Acknowledgements ..................................................................................................................... 44 Appendix A – Activities ............................................................................................................... 45 Communication ....................................................................................................................... 45 Appendix B – References and Further Reading ......................................................................... 46 Web Sites ................................................................................................................................ 46 Appendix C – More Information about Schools .......................................................................... 48 Appendix D – Holidays by Month ................................................................................................ 52 Appendix E – Cultural Tip Sheet for YES Students .................................................................... 56 Foreword Thank you for volunteering to welcome a young student from Thailand into your home, family, and community! The coming months will present a multitude of learning opportunities for both you and your participant. Objectives of Handbook This Handbook for U.S. Host Families of Thai Participants is dedicated to and directed toward you, the host family. You represent one of the indispensable ingredients required for our international exchange programs to be successful. The information contained here will also be shared with exchange-program support volunteers so that they too will better understand the Thai student’s world view and will be able to provide culturally-sensitive and appropriate support to both the hosted student and the host family. Awareness of the existence of cultural differences and how to deal with these differences can have a profoundly positive impact on the quality of your relationship with your