SteemFest⁴ update: new names and shining a light on Thai etiquette

TLDR;

• When in Thailand, do as the Thai do
• New names for SteemFest4
• Reminder: Next week price hike 2 (!)

This was a week of finalising deals for the event. With an unforeseen cutback in one sponsorship I needed to emphasise on the costs with my final negotiations with some suppliers. Luckily help came in with a new sponsor, but the event is still looking for a couple of "K" to close the current budget.

For that matter I decided to open up some adspace in the program / map of Bangkok booklet which is handed out to every attendee of SteemFest and distributed online as well. If you have a product or service you would like to advertise and meanwhile also help out SteemFest closing the budget, please connect with me through [email protected].

Three Wise Monkeys by Chris Tweten on Unsplash

Introduction to Thai etiquette and do's and don'ts.

As many of you will be coming from "the west", and some of you for the first time head "east", you will be introduced to a new culture. Although November is the start of the "cold" season, the dampy heat welcomes you at the airport as well as the seemingly random chaos along with it.

The trick to deal with the temperature and Thailand in general lies within this weather actually: Stay cool. Physically cool, by moving slower. You notice immediately on the street: the pace of pedestrians is significantly slower compared to for example here in Amsterdam or New York for that matter :) "No sweat" is the idea. But also mentally: stay cool. People losing their temper in Thailand are viewed upon as if they have mental health issues or are of poor breeding.

From this site I picked up: Maintaining your cool under tough circumstances is called “Jai yen” or “Cool heart”. Thais place a high value on individuals who are able to respond to upsetting and frustrating events with moderate and reserved behaviour, and those that are unable to control their emotions are conversely regarded as being childish, ill-mannered, or possibly mentally unhinged.

Scene from Reservoir Dogs

Personally, I try to apply this at all times during my negotiations, although sometimes it can be difficult. I am a "farang" (foreigner) and aiming for the best price. But so far it worked out, I think :)

So, just remember: Never loose your temper in public, don't get upset, or at least: don't display that you are upset. It won't get you very far.

Another one: Thai are very much about hygiene. People live close together, move close together in public transport. People have to live and move within a closer "personal space" and add in the hotness it is nice to look after your hygiene. It is common for Thai, if possible, to rather shower quickly a couple of times a day instead of one long shower.

Public nudity is also frowned upon. Although there are differences when going to the islands of Thailand obviously, which have an adjusted look on things, due to the sheer volume of tourists. But if you would walk around shirtless in Bangkok it could mean serious trouble if you run into a police officer.

Hygiene, manners and dress-code also come into play when visiting a temple or so-called "Wat" in Thailand. As tourist it is common to walk around in your "tanktop" and "shorts" or "skirt" but wearing this means you cannot visit a temple. You should dress appropriately, which means covering pants / skirt over your ankles and minimum a t-shirt, but preferably a long sleeve shirt. Or bring along some sarongs to impromptu cover up yourself and respect this part of Thai culture.

There are many more tips & tricks, which I assembled past week and put on the SteemFest Helpdesk FAQ section: "Tips & Tricks - Thailand". It is worth reading them if you come to Bangkok!

SteemFest FAQ feat. Thai tips 'n tricks

New names announced for SteemFest4!

• @dmitrydao (MY): Dev, SteemProposals.com
• @grampo (CA): CEO, Waivio.com
• @jpphotography (DE): Co-Founder and Lead Developer at TravelFeed
• @rollie1212 (UA): CEO @Cryptobrewmaster Economy Strategy game Dapp

Reminders:

• SteemFest tickets will see a price hike next week on friday 27 september (!)
• Book your hotelroom before they run out: in November the tourist season starts in Bangkok and Prince Palace is, thanks to it's affordability, pretty popular. Booking Link 1 - Hotel Tower 1, Booking Link 2 - Hotel Tower 2
• @gtg called around the world to setup some nice airfair discount codes for multiple airlines. Check out his post!

Have a nice weekend!

@roelandp

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