All expatriates face a double-sided consequence. In order to live abroad, they need to attempt to integrate a new culture. This can be time-consuming and poses a real challenge that some are never able to overcome. On the other hand, long-time expatriates become critical of their own country. This situation makes them also uneasy to repatriate.
The Far East has kept captivating Westerners. But living there can be often puzzling as one is confronted with a totally different culture or ways of thinking. It is often simply labelled as a culture shock but it never explains effectively how to go beyond this point. It takes a long time and a lot of energy to understand the Eastern way of life. Actually, I am not even sure that this process can ever stop. Educators know that learning is a life-long experience.
One constant observation after living in many different southeastern countries is the fact that Asian societies are commonly using a paramilitary structure. If you look at the way schools or businesses are run, or else how private guards salute you, it becomes obvious that this is a widespread social factor. Most Asian cultures have a religious foundation that goes back to Hinduism or Buddhism. The main idea is that the individual does not exist as such and that he must serve the community. Islam reinforces the same idea. This is why a country as big as Indonesia was able to switch from one religion to the other. The Javanese maid I had on the island of Borneo was a wonderful Muslim old lady from Java, who had still kept many of the former Hinduist beliefs. Religion might be at the roots of this process that has affected an entire society. But the language perpetuates this sense of order and community. Courtesy and hierarchy are linguistic markers that regulate how people must behave in society. When a Thai, after a conversation of a few minutes, ask you "how old are you?", it must not be taken as impolite by a Westerner. In fact, it is just the opposite. When a Thai asks this, it is simply to know how politely he/she should address you. Hence this other common question:"how shall I call you"? This is because, in the Thai language, or the Bahasa Indonesia language, there are many different ways of addressing people in relation to their age or social status. The extended family is the principal factor of unity in Asia. The eldest son of a family is called differently by his siblings. To signify your acceptance of the family system, you will be called 'uncle' or 'auntie'. A younger Asian talking to an older Western man could say 'daddie' just to show his respect. There is a way to address close friends, obviously different from how to talk to total strangers. Thais, for instance, easily refer to other nationals as 'bros' and 'sis'. This also accounts perhaps why foreigners are called 'farangs' in Thailand, 'Orang Barat' (Westerner) or 'Orang Putih' (white man) or even 'Bule' (albino) in Bahasa Indonesia, 'Masaleh' in Malaysia or even 'gwai lo' (white phantom) by the Cantonese. All these derogatory terms indicate that it is also as difficult for Asians to understand Westerners as the opposite. Simply consider that in Bahasa Malayu, 'Masalah' means 'problem'.
The religious heritage and its linguistic implication are in keeping with the social structure of Asian societies.
The recent political turmoils in Thailand find an explanation through the cultural heritage. Thailand has a constitutional monarchy system where the army plays an important role. It accounts why an Army junta is now governing a country with an ailing, revered monarchy. The latest referendum has voted in favour of the junta government that keeps saying they want to bring back stability and happiness to the people. Wasant Techawongtham is a journalist, who recently wrote an interesting article in the English-speaking daily, The Bangkok Post. The title of this article was 'Thais should become less pragmatic'. He rightly posed the question every Westerner would ask. “Western observers and journalists find it incomprehensible that the majority would accept a document that would impose restrictions on their basic rights.” His insight is really worth reading. Simply because he is a Thai, who masters the English language and is, therefore, able to express a clear cultural analysis on the situation. Here is a full excerpt of what he said. “Thai society has been under a patriarchal and patronage system for much of its history. As a result, most Thais grew up under values quite different from those in Western societies.
We are a culture of macho men. To live under a strong and tough leader and to obey his authority is as natural as eating rice so long as we can expect favours in return. This could be promises of peace and order, stability, personal safety or social welfare.
Freedom of speech, political franchise, human rights and public participation are abstract ideas that have little relevance when the people have to struggle daily to subsist or compete in the marketplace. You may recall that not long ago polls found that large numbers of Thais don't mind corruption so long as they, too, could benefit from it. That must also be baffling to the Western audience.
Call it lack of principles, if you will. But Thais are pragmatic people, not unlike those in other developing countries”. These few lines define well the Thai society and what people expect in order to live in harmony, which, by the way, is another important social factor. I found his assumption of "a culture of macho men" particularly relevant, assuming that having an authority is "as natural as eating rice". He also clearly states that "Thais are pragmatic people" knowing this is a reality in most developing countries.
This is a valuable statement coming from a Thai. But it does not mean it is a stalemate. As a reminder, simply refer back to the title of the article:"Thais should become less pragmatic".Interesting isn't it ?
Hopefully, this reflection will help people analyse the situation through a different angle not biased on prejudices. On a wider scale, it will also explain the political positions of ASEAN leaders regarding some past issues like the Burmese junta or more recently on China with the Spratly Islands dispute. And yes, even after spending so many years in south-east Asia, you never stop learning more every day of your life! So what can be said of someone, who has never been familiar with the Oriental culture?
Christian Sorand
PLAIN TALK – Wasant Techawongtham, Bangkok Post, 12 August 2016: "Thais should become less pragmatic"
No comments:
Post a Comment