Robyn Cameron Is About to Depart for Thailand on a Business

Essay

Robyn Cameron is about to depart for Thailand on a business trip. She has asked for your help to prepare her. What do you think she should learn before she leaves? You tell her that Thais value harmony very much in daily exchanges. She knows only three other facts about Thailand: 1)it is a monarchy and the king and his family are greatly loved,2)the majority of Thais are Buddhist and all men must serve two years as monks,3)the military enjoys high status and power.You believe Robyn can learn what she needs to know by answering the following questions based on inferences from these facts,sometimes called the "3 Ms" of Thailand. Remember to give your answers based on what Robyn knows.
a.Do you suppose the culture is more collectivist or more individualist? On what do you base this?
b.Is Thai society hierarchical or horizontal? On what do you base your response?
c.Will form be important or distrusted? Why?
d.Is group membership likely to be permanent or temporary? On what do you base your answer?
e.Will uncertainty be tolerated or avoided? Why?
f.Do Thais welcome or resist change? On what do you base your answer?
g.Will Robyn be at a disadvantage because she is female? Why?
h.Would you expect Thais to communicate about business in a direct,explicit way or in an indirect,implicit way? On what do you base your answer?
i.Would you suppose that books and other written sources have authority for learning,or that first-hand experience carries more weight? Why do you think so?
j.Do you suppose Thais are question-askers or learners from mastering given wisdom? What in the culture leads you to this conclusion?
k.Do you think age counts for more or less in Thai culture? Why?
l..Do you think the approach to authority would be direct or mediated? On what do you base your answer?
m.Do you think relationships or results matter more? Why?
n.Should Robyn be prepared for a culture that sees obligation as a burden or as a benefit? On what do you base your answer?