Page 15 - MASALA LITE ISSUE 81 | JUNE 2017

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“Seeing women empowered
and being safe in their natural
habitat is welcoming.”
equal respect. Thais have been living in great harmony.
They are very forgiving people and will always deal with
problems in a non-confrontational way. Their relaxed
attitude is perhaps the best and worst of Thai culture.
Would you recommend your friends to move
to Bangkok?
Of course, Bangkok is heaven in Southeast Asia and very
close to India. You can always fl y back home in three to fi ve
hours. But it’s easy to get lazy and lose focus. You don’t have
family and friends around to motivate you. It may get lonely
at times. You’ll meet some great and not-so-great expats in
Thailand — many of those who end up moving back home or
to another country. I’m still fi guring out my plan as I go along.
The one thing I know for sure is that moving to Thailand has
been one of the best adventures of my life. I recommend
anybody who wants to see the world to challenge what they
believe, to test themselves, to cross new boundaries, to open
new doors, or to break free of monotony, to move to another
country that vastly contrasts with what they’ve grown up
with. It is a good opportunity to clear your head.
“I’m used to a generally laidback
culture, and the Thai culture also
embraces that.”
ALL- A C CESS INT O B ANGK OK ’ S C ONTEMP OR AR Y INDIAN LIFEST YLE
COVERED 15
DHARAM CHADHA, 26
Associate Manager, PPC Modeling at Agoda
Kobe, Japan → New York City, New York → Bangkok, Thailand
What are some new experiences you have had here, which you wouldn’t t are some new experiences you have had here, which you wouldn’t
Wha
otherwise have experienced in Japan?
otherwise have experienced in Japan?
Although my home country is Japan, I’ve lived in the US for the vast majority of my
Although my home country is Japan, I’ve lived in the US for the vast majority of my
adult life. The main benefi t of being in Thailand is the convenience of getting to a
adult life. The main benefi t of being in Thailand is the convenience of getting to a
place in a short amount of time. Here you can hop on to a bike or the BTS and MRT
place in a short amount of time. Here you can hop on to a bike or the BTS and MRT
and get to your location within 30 minutes. The fi rst few times I rode on these
and get to your location within 30 minutes. The fi rst few times I rode on these
motorbike taxis were defi nite Snapchat moments. Another cool experience is that
motorbike taxis were defi nite Snapchat moments. Another cool experience is that
my offi ce is located in a shopping mall. I doubt very many corporate employees in
my offi ce is located in a shopping mall. I doubt very many corporate employees in
the world work in a mall, but I really enjoy it. You get a vast amount of restaurants
the world work in a mall, but I really enjoy it. You get a vast amount of restaurants
in an air-conditioned environment, and there are bars right outside the elevators!
in an air-conditioned environment, and there are bars right outside the elevators!
Were there any cultural shocks you experienced?
Were there any cultural shocks you experienced?
The insistence on mispronunciation, especially with the letter “L” was a cultural
The insistence on mispronunciation, especially with the letter “L” was a cultural
shock for me. Somehow, Google is pronounced “Goo-gun” and apple is pronounced
shock for me. Somehow, Google is pronounced “Goo-gun” and apple is pronounced
“aah-pun”. The stalls on Khaosarn road that sell fried insects was another one. That’s
“aah-pun”. The stalls on Khaosarn road that sell fried insects was another one. That’s
just a no-go. People’s nicknames seem like they are chosen from a lottery of common
just a no-go. People’s nicknames seem like they are chosen from a lottery of common
English words! For example, First, Golf, Honda, Mind, Smile, Friend, Time and Arm are
English words! For example, First, Golf, Honda, Mind, Smile, Friend, Time and Arm are
nicknames of individuals I have met at work.
nicknames of individuals I have met at work.
What diff erences do you see in the Thai style of working compared to your own?
What diff erences do you see in the Thai style of working compared to your own?
I’d say the main diff erence is the general lack of initiative. The individuals are
I’d say the main diff erence is the general lack of initiative. The individuals are
just not as proactive as they can be, and don’t push forward new ideas and
just not as proactive as they can be, and don’t push forward new ideas and
methodologies. At the same time, there’s an abundance of talent coming out of
methodologies. At the same time, there’s an abundance of talent coming out of
the top universities here. Their resumes are better than mine, even though they’re
the top universities here. Their resumes are better than mine, even though they’re
still students! I’m used to a generally laidback culture, and the Thai culture also
still students! I’m used to a generally laidback culture, and the Thai culture also
embraces that. We come and go from work as we please, whether it’s coming in late
embraces that. We come and go from work as we please, whether it’s coming in late
or going for a break at 3pm to buy fruit; there’s plenty of fl exibility.
or going for a break at 3pm to buy fruit; there’s plenty of fl exibility.
Have you been enjoying an
active role in the Thai-Indian
community? Any tips for people who move to Bangkok?
I am not necessarily active, • Thailand is a cash society; carry cash at all
but I have assimilated to a pesky coins.
times, even the B20 notes and those
certain degree. I have been
fortunate enough to have • Don’t take bikes in the rain, even if it does
wonderful friends who have seem like a good idea at the time.
been inclusive and welcoming tuk-tuks.
• Always opt for the meter in cabs and avoid
to those not from here. Just
like I did in Japan and the US, I • Stay at a location that’s convenient for both
go to the Gurdwara and try to work and leisure.
go to any events hosted by the sometimes you have to experiment with the
community. The Thai-Indian
• The locals understand many English words, but
Sports Day, futsal tournament, and Tah-bas-koooouh instead of tabasco.
and the marathons are some
pronunciation. Try Too-naaaah instead of tuna
events that I attend. take the reliable trains.
• Avoid driving in the evenings on weekends
as traffi c can be maddening. In fact, avoid
four-wheel vehicles whenever possible and