The Present (Thai Culture)
Every culture is different.
Each society has its own way of life, values, and ways of thinking. People feel and see the world differently, and there is no absolute right or wrong. Human beings are social by nature—we like to live in groups and often adapt our behavior to be accepted by the society we belong to.
Today, people from every corner of the world are easily connected through the internet. Because of this, we can clearly see the differences in behavior and thinking across cultures. These differences are something we need to accept. Different societies think differently—but these differences can also connect us, helping us see the world with a more open heart and a broader perspective.
Lovely Differences
Some differences are small and gentle—yet very meaningful.
Things we see as normal in our own culture may become something new and interesting when we step into another society. This makes us curious about the ideas and values behind those behaviors.
A Small Thing Called a Gift
A foreign friend once asked me a question:
“Why don’t Thai people usually open gifts in front of others?
In my culture, when we receive a gift, we open it immediately in front of the giver.”
That made me pause and think—such a small thing, yet so different.
So I asked people close to me, Thai friends and family:
“When you receive a gift, do you open it right away or take it home to open later?”
Here are some of their answers:
- Friend 1 said that, a gift has emotional value and is something personal. There is no need to show it to others, so they prefer to take it home and open it privately.
- Friend 2 said, they open gifts at home to avoid hurting others’ feelings, especially if the gift they receive is more expensive than what others received.
- Friend 3 explained that they prefer privacy because they don’t want others to see their facial expressions or emotions if the gift is not exactly what they hoped for.
- Friend 4 said, they take gifts home to avoid gossip, such as people commenting on where the gift came from or guessing its price.
That said, some Thai people do enjoy opening gifts in front of friends, as it can be a fun and shared moment. However, when it comes to gifts from a romantic partner, many prefer not to open them in front of others. Such gifts are seen as private—something special meant just for the two of them.
What may seem like a small and confusing detail to foreigners is often rooted in cultural values. When we live in a culture different from our own, the most important thing is to keep an open mind—to accept differences without judging them by our own standards.
When we can do this, we can live together with respect, understanding, and genuine appreciation for one another’s differences.