Title: Cross-cultural misunderstanding | Cultural Conflict
Headings: Cross-cultural misunderstanding
Cross-cultural misunderstanding
“When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It is designed to make its own people comfortable.” – Clifton Fadiman
What is a cross-cultural misunderstanding?
Post navigation

Content: Moreover, losing your temper, or showing strong negative emotions in public is considered a negative behavior
Touching other’s head – In Thailand, your head is considered high; it is the most sacred part of the body, so touching someone’s head is considered rude, impolite and disrespectful. Eating – it is inappropriate to lick you fingers while eating
No shoes inside – it is essential in Thai culture for people to remove their shoes before entering to someone’s house or a temple. Pointing with your feet – the foot is considered the lowest part of the body. Pointing your feet to someone or something or raising your feet higher than someone’s head, using your feet to move anything or touch anyone or simply put your feet on the table is considered extremely rude in Thai culture. Bend your body – As I mentioned above the head is the most scared part of the body. Therefore, Thai people will bend a little if they have to walk and everybody else sits, especially when the ones who sit are older than you. This is the way we show respect to the belief that having your head higher than someone else means that you are in a superior position to others. Don’t step over people – If everyone else is sitting and you need to walk by; do not step over a person or any part of their body.