When Westerners have disagreement or conflict, they prefer to bring it up for discussion directly. Although they usually express their opinions respectfully, without fighting, sarcasm, or beating around the bush, there are times that conflicts can erupt into shouting match that can shock Thai. After the match is over, they can laugh about it over lunch. Believe it or not, an argument can be a source of sa-nuk (fun). They believe arguing will bring them to truth. Getting the truth out is considered more important than saving face. You will have to get used to this when you live in his Western country.  Western culture celebrates people who confront others as having integrity, being couragous, expressing independence, and not submitting to pressure. People who do not speak up (perhaps, if they are Thai, because they are "krang-jai") are seem as being cowardly and weak.

When you are upset at your Western guy about something, it is advised that you resist your instinct to stay quiet and just tell him about it directly. Don't wait for him to ask it, because he won't and would assume everything is fine. He is not a Thai man and he doesn't realize that you are shy.

Many Westerners have told the authors "I wish she would just tell me what's wrong, it would help so much if I know, I want to make things better for her, it wouldn't offend me in the slightest." 

 

'''''''''''''''

 

I take a break here for Western values

 

Next part will be about Thai values