Author: John P. Fieg

Publisher:

Published: 1989

Total Pages: 48

ISBN-13:

Thais and U.S. citizens have a number of striking cultural similarities. Both prize the freedoms they enjoy, both are quite pragmatic and individualistic, and both disdain pomposity and arrogance. These traits form a kind of common core that helps Thais and U.S. citizens connect in cross-cultural interactions. Nevertheless, there are also fundamental differences that must be bridged if mutually satisfactory relationships are to be established. This book examines the commonalities and explores the differences in depth. For instance, Thais have a very high regard for authority and status and live in an extremely hierarchical society; far different from the more fluid social milieu in the United States, where authority is easily questioned and status is gained by achievement. Thais withhold emotional expression; avoid confrontation; pursue friendships of a more permanent nature than people in the United States; are much less competitive; and have strong face-saving needs. As for individualism, the Thai, like the U.S. citizen, tends to value self-reliance, but Thai individualism exists within an ethos of group harmony in which the kind of aggressive self-assertion that characterizes U.S. individualism would not be accepted. These and other critical issues are explored, and the book closes with a discussion of the implications of these issues for individuals from the two cultures when they are engaged in face-to-face encounters. Of special interest to students of cross-cultural management is the careful analysis of the contrast in the structure and functioning of organizations in the two countries. (Author/JB)