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Culture Shock Yup, I did! Though Thailand is one of the ASEAN countries, it is very different from the Philippines. You try to communicate with them and you start to speak English, but then they don't understand it considering that English is the universal language which most people in most countries understand. Some Thais are not comfortable with listening or speaking English, but some of them wanted to learn it. I also had a hard time adjusting my taste buds to their foods, and though they eat rice, most of their food are too spicy for me. But now I'm loving Thai food! The weather is freakin' hot, and it seldom rains and usually it lasts only for an hour. Thailand is a good place to go shopping. Yay! Everything is so cheap! Communication is cheap, too. Because they don't like stress, they prefer to call than to send SMS, and calling is cheaper than texting. I am living alone in my apartment. One time I went out to go to 7-11 with my hair all wet (because I just took a bath), then I had a weird feeling and was paranoid enough to notice everybody in my neighborhood was looking at me. I told them that I usually took a bath twice a day. They laughed! It's funny but I can't say what it means. Like I've said it's super duper hot in Thailand so I always bring an umbrella to protect my skin from sunburn and it was like they had seen someone using an umbrella under the sun for the first time! It's quite unusual for them. When you enter some shop, you have to take off your shoes! Great! When you ride on a bus, and your a woman, the man who was already seated would not be so gentleman to have you seated instead, unless you're preggy or old or with a baby or a little child. Bus fares and taxi fare are cheap, too. Money transactions are very convenient, everything is through the wire. But English books, movies, music or magazines are hard to find. Everything is in Thai! Even in the movie theater. They usually dub Hollywood movies! Gosh! I have so many things to share about how different Thailand is from my home country, but my story is already getting too long, you might get bored upon reading, lol! Thailand is a very nice country with happy people. The beauty of Thailand attracts many tourists, and tourist destinations are really worth visiting!

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@Na Maxim: good to know about some of the Korean culture, Thanks for sharing. They also do the same here in Thailand. They bow their head with their hands in prayer-like position and they call it "wai." It's a sign of respect and there are many ways to show it depending on social status. @Phil: sounds great! you're visiting Philippines! Always be careful there, OK!? Please do not show off your gadgets and important belongings in public especially in the streets in Manila. When you're inside the mall, maybe it's ok :) or when you're going to visit the provinces. Filipinos are very hospitable. You'll have a great time there and that's for sure! Take care always!
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Great story, being adaptable is so important, and perfect (American-style) conversational English! I am planning to visit Philippines next year, but didn't know Thailand was so much cheaper. I should go to both. So in Philippines, it sounds like male bus riders are very polite to women! I'll have to be adaptable and remember that rule.
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I also have an experience with culture shock when I live in Korea. Although we are also polite to other people, the way the Korean people show their respect to higher-class people makes me surprise. For e.g, in school students bow their head to senior and seem to obey senior commands. It is strange for me. But now, surprisingly, I'm beginning to act the same way the Korea people do.
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Howdy, Thuy Duong! I could tell you lots of stories about how I got adjusted to this foreign land... and maybe because of my being an open-minded person and my ability to easily adapt to a new environment, I always tend to look at the positive side and have fun with all my experiences. Thailand's culture and tradition are way too different from the Philippines. First, religion, most Thais are Buddhist and I am a Christian. Second, the language, Thai is tonal and my language has the same grammar structure with English. It's hard to learn, understand and speak Thai. Third, the do's and don't's, there are too many to mention. But then I never forget the old saying that "When you are in Rome, do as the Romans do." And that's how I coped up with culture shock. And yeah, I would love to visit Vietnam one day. It's just a matter of hours from Thailand. I believe your country has a lot to offer, too! :)
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No. Your experience is really interesting. I want to hear more, because I have had no chance to travel abroad. Hope you visit Vietnam someday :D However, if you visit VN and take a bus, "the man who is already seated will not be so gentleman to have you seated instead", too ;) And if you use umbrella on a sunny day in VN, it's more normal than anything ;)

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