I moved to Thailand a year or so ago, and after a few months, found a job in this company. The staff are very friendly, and I like the work, although it can be very demanding at times.

Then my boss asked me to find another farang to help me out. I placed advertisements in the newspapers, interviewed various applicants and tested them to determine their level of written and spoken English.

The one who tested the highest was a guy about my age. He came to Thailand about six months ago. Although he struck me as a bit strange, he seemed as if he would fit in with the rest of the staff, and, with my boss's go-ahead, he was hired.

He agreed to start work two weeks later. When he showed up, I got a shock. At the interview, he had been dressed in a white shirt and dark trousers. Our office is rather informal, so I wasn't concerned that he hadn't worn a suit or even a tie.

On his first day of work, however, he was wearing a dirty, torn T-shirt and cutaways. In addition, he had dyed his brown hair bright platinum. It is so bright, I swear he could be a headlamp at night.

He's been with us for about two months now, and his work, frankly, doesn't equal what he did on his tests. It's not bad, but it's not good, either, and I have to check it before we send it out to our customers.

The rest of the staff don't exactly love him, but they don't have any problems with him, except when his clothes are particularly dirty. Though his wardrobe does seem to have improved slightly with his paycheques.

I am concerned, however, because I am the one who chose him as an employee. I don't want to look bad to my boss if we have any problems with him.

Khun Melanee, based on my description of this guy, do you think I have anything to worry about?

JK

Dear JK,

Your boss must love you! You seem to be careful, diligent and concerned about the other people in your work environment.

I'm assuming your company has a probationary period for new employees. If this man is unable to improve to the standards required by your company, you can terminate his employment.

From your description of him, he doesn't seem so bad to me. Your instincts may be correct, though. My own guess is that he won't do much harm, but it's obvious that he isn't planning to stay on much beyond his probation.

You do seem to be a bit inexperienced when hiring staff. May I wish you good luck when you try again?

Dear Khun Melanee,

I want to defend the woman who has been driving her colleagues nuts. The letter-writer complained that this woman was needlessly upsetting the office with her complaints about their perfume, the air-conditioner, the dust, etc.

Didn't the writer ever think that the woman could be suffering from an illness, such as lupus, which could affect her nervous system? Then, she couldn't have meant to cause any trouble. She really would have been allergic to everything she complained about.

Marlie

Dear Khun Marlie,

You may be correct. The woman would then deserve our sympathy, but she would need to explain what her problems were, wouldn't she? How could she expect her colleagues to accept her complaints without knowing what was behind them?

Dear Khun Melanee,

My girlfriends and I really enjoyed that letter from "Khun Bu" last week. I've been turned away from some shops because my waist was a few centimetres too big, so I know how that poor girl felt when Bu told her she was too fat and refused to sell her a skirt.

The fact is that people will buy the latest style even though they don't look good in it.

Your suggestion that Bu should have shown the girl some larger skirts would have been a tactful way out of the dilemma but would most probably have been a waste of time.

Bu should relax. For sure, as long as short, hip-hugging skirts are in fashion, everyone will buy one.

Mee

Dear Khun Mee,

You're probably right. I just wish young girls would stop ruining their health by resorting to diet pills and cosmetic surgery to conform with the latest fashions.

Problems that Melanee can advise you on? Fax her at

(02) 751 4446, or e-mail melaneepetra@hotmail.com.