DiscussWorldIssues - Socio-Economic Religion and Political Uncensored Debate - View Single Post - Any techniques to overcome 'wilful ignorance' ????

**Eromereorybig** · 09-22-2012, 07:46 AM

I will go out on a limb and say that is wrong, regardless of your culture. It's one thing to lie to cover up a schedule mistake; that can and does happen everywhere on the planet. But leading someone else to waste further time waiting for you is extremely inconsiderate and I can't believe anyone would consider that right behavior under any circumstances.

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Having said that, I suppose I will be on the lookout for it. If someone says they are on their way but in heavy traffic, perhaps I should ask them whether another day might be more convenient. That probably is the face-saving way to think about it.

Sorry you don't accept that but is is a true summary of events.

I know westerners don't think like that. To you and I it is "extreemly inconsiderate" but to a Thai it is not wrong to lie if it saves embarassment ( to either party)

Have you ever been in a Thai courtroom where everyone knows a person is lying including the judges, and the accused after listening and seeing the evidence still pleads not guilty. Even seeing a signature on a document he will just smile ( he is not being rude smiling it is a cover for embarassment) and take the sentence.

Thais have a sense that nothing is serious or permanent. Have you heard them say " Don't think too much" " It doesn't matter". It can be very exasperating.

I had a builder lay some concrete. He charged for 15 cms and just laid a skim (about 2cm.) I saw him do it. I stood there watching. He would not accept he had done it, said it was more than 15.

When a Thai pointed it out later, he still insisted it was 15. When we started to tell him to break it up and check all the builders legged it. They could not be caught in a lie,m apologise, and then put it right. They would lose face. Maybe difficult to undersatnd if you have not experienced it

Any other posters got examples where a deliberate lie was made for whatever reason. And how dealt with?

09-22-2012, 07:46 AM	#50
Eromereorybig Join Date Oct 2005 Posts 469 Senior Member	I will go out on a limb and say that is wrong, regardless of your culture. It's one thing to lie to cover up a schedule mistake; that can and does happen everywhere on the planet. But leading someone else to waste further time waiting for you is extremely inconsiderate and I can't believe anyone would consider that right behavior under any circumstances. --- Having said that, I suppose I will be on the lookout for it. If someone says they are on their way but in heavy traffic, perhaps I should ask them whether another day might be more convenient. That probably is the face-saving way to think about it. Sorry you don't accept that but is is a true summary of events. I know westerners don't think like that. To you and I it is "extreemly inconsiderate" but to a Thai it is not wrong to lie if it saves embarassment ( to either party) Have you ever been in a Thai courtroom where everyone knows a person is lying including the judges, and the accused after listening and seeing the evidence still pleads not guilty. Even seeing a signature on a document he will just smile ( he is not being rude smiling it is a cover for embarassment) and take the sentence. Thais have a sense that nothing is serious or permanent. Have you heard them say " Don't think too much" " It doesn't matter". It can be very exasperating. I had a builder lay some concrete. He charged for 15 cms and just laid a skim (about 2cm.) I saw him do it. I stood there watching. He would not accept he had done it, said it was more than 15. When a Thai pointed it out later, he still insisted it was 15. When we started to tell him to break it up and check all the builders legged it. They could not be caught in a lie,m apologise, and then put it right. They would lose face. Maybe difficult to undersatnd if you have not experienced it Any other posters got examples where a deliberate lie was made for whatever reason. And how dealt with?
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