Before you read

1. Work in pairs. Ak your partner the following questions: Have you ever been to Thailand?
Do you know any information about it? What do you know? (5 minutes)

Reading

2. Read the factsheet for visitors wanting to know more about the culture of Thailand.
Match the headings (1-5) to the paragraphs (a-e).(20 minutes)
3.
1. Social attitudes and gestures
2. King and country
3. Visiting homes
4. Religion
5. What to wear
http://www.tourismthailand.se/travel_information/dos_and_donts

Thailand
Some DOs and DONTs for visitors

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a. The Thais are very respectful of their king and
queen. Visitors should never make
disrespectful comments about their royal
family. Like the Thais, you should always
stand in silence when the national anthem is
played. Never stand on banknotes-the kings
picture is on them.
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b. Always take off your shos before entering a
temple (wat) or other holy building that
contains a Buddha image. Do not stand in
front of Buddha statues for photographs.
Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not
appropriate dress for visiting a wat. Both men
and women should make sure their legs and
arms are covered. Women should never touch
a Buddhist monk. If you sit in a temple, make
sure that your feet are not pointing towards
the Buddha.
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c. Thais greet each other with a hands together
gesture called a wai. If someone wais you,
you should do the same. Its polite to smile
too. When you give things to other people, use
the right hand or both hands. Never use the
left hand. If you shout, people will think you
are very impolite.
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d. Generally, wearing shorts is inappropriate
unless on the beach. In the street, and in
banks, or government offices, try to dress in
neat, clean clothes. For men this means a
shirt and trousers, for women a modest dress,
or blouse and skirt, or trousers. Sandals and
short-sleeved shirts are acceptable.

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e. Thais are very hospitable. If you are lucky, you
may be invited to someones home. You will
usually be offered food and drink. Its polite to
accept, and your host may think you are
discourteous if you dont accept. Always
remove your shoes before entering someones
home.

4. Work in pairs. Discuss with your partner if anything surprises you about manners and
etiquette in Thailand? Once you finish discussing, exchange information with other pairs
in the classroom. (15 minutes)

Vocabulary
Work in pairs. Create words from nouns from the reading. The first ones are done for you.
(20 minutes)

Noun Adjective Opposite

Respect Respectful Disrespectful
Politeness Polite
appropriateness Appropriate
hospitality inhospitable
modesty immodest
courtesy Courteous
acceptability unacceptable

Writing/Speaking
Work in groups. What would be useful for visitors to know about social behavior in Chile?
Prepare a factsheet. Use the headings from activity 2.(15 minutes)

Dos and Donts: A factsheet for visitors visiting Chile

Social attitudes and gestures.

Friends and Family

Visiting homes

Religion

What to wear
Speaking

Work in groups. Answer the following questions and then exchange information with your
partners.(20 minutes)

1. When you meet someone for the first time, how do you greet him or her?
2. Do you use the same greeting for men as for women?
3. How do you greet your friends?
4. How do you greet a friend of the opposite sex?
5. How do you greet members of your family: children, adults, old people?
6. Describe three gestures you use frequently and say what they mean.