When I first started work here in Thailand the Director of Human Resources gave me a gift of several books, one is called "Working with Thai's". Before I arrived a friend who had been General Manager at a resort here in Thailand had also recommended the same book.
I read the book for a few chapters and put it down, there were many things to do when I first arrived here. However the HR Director was persistent and in those first few weeks whenever I met her, "Did you read your books yet?" Of course it was good advice, and after a suitable amount of goading I read said book, at least partly just to get her off my back and move on. In hindsight I will say it was a great thing to do and my thanks to her for pushing me to read.
One part of "Working with Thais" that is particularly memorable is the "Bakers Dozen of smiles". Thirteen smiles you will find here under various circumstances, like the smile you give when you run into somebody's car, and the smile you give when you are mad about what was just said to you. The smile is often accompanied by a giggle, laugh or chuckle. Some how the two things combined seem to ease the pain, (at least for the Thai people in the equation). Logically this means between two Thai people what is said and meant is perfectly understood and a smile of apology, contrition, thanks, embarrassment, or acknowledgement goes a long way. Of course, not everybody here has read, or will read about 13 smiles, and so even after a long time working and living in Thailand the smiling does not necessarily make sense. When the interaction is between Thai and non-Thai it can easily result in looks of; bewilderment, surprise and sometimes anger and rage, (from the non Thai), when I see that (at least once a day), I am now smiling.