FRIDAY BUG
In at the deep end
Many Thais, especially the older generation, are afraid to talk to foreigners.
Some comedians even make jokes about how terrified they were when they first met foreigners and were asked to join in a conversation.People who can't speak English criticise themselves for being too shy. But then they choose to ignore even trying to communicate. High-flying foreign executives who work in Thailand usually speak English all day. With a prestigious position, they don't have to struggle to learn the local language. It's the locals who have to grapple with English. Actually, neither age nor status matters when it comes to learning a language. It's all about attitude and determination. Take Wilf Blackburn, president of Ayudhya Allianz CP Life, for example. Despite his lofty position, the 39-year-old Englishman - and married father of five - decided to study Thai after taking up his appointment in July 2004. However, over the past four months Blackburn has taken his studies more seriously and now he can speak Thai more or less fluently. At a recent press conference held by the company, he even made a speech in Thai - not just the usual Sawadee khrap. The speech was long enough to merit applause from the attendant reporters. The main reason Blackburn is so passionate about learning Thai is that he wants to understand the feelings that sit behind the words Thai people speak. According to his teacher, Blackburn can manage basic conversations and write some Thai words. Asked if he knows the Thai words for "ask" and "more", his teacher said he did. Assuming Blackburn receives a letter in Thai from his staff asking for a raise, how will he react? Can you say mai dai?
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