In terms of accommodations, one of the main things that was prominent throughout my time staying in Thailand was the quality of service at hotels. We were always warmly welcomed as we moved from one hotel to another, with a smile that clearly conveyed that each worker there was proud to serve us. My friend and I even built friendships with hotel staff, always greeting them and asking them how they were doing. Despite the language barrier, we were all always happy to communicate with one another through hand motions, facial expressions, and simple smiles.
This didn’t just happen at hotels; it also happened at malls, street markets, and, essentially, everywhere we visited with service staff. Everyone was extremely kind and friendly, showing a great sense of pride in their work and in serving others.
Now you may be thinking, “They probably only interacted with you like this because you’re a tourist.” Being a foreigner in another country is almost always alienating, but in this case, (humorously) I actually am Southeast Asian myself, and was often mistaken as Thai when approaching service workers. I can happily say that even though I was never what anyone expected while I was there, whether they knew I was American or not, they always made me feel like I was part of their community. We always laughed and joked with what little Thai I spoke, and that was one of the things that really made the trip special to me.
From my perspective, this great pride in service stems from the fact that Asian cultures tend to be collectivist rather than individualist. This means that they value general well-being and community harmony over the individual. This is extremely prevalent in Thailand, where a tight-knit community is simply natural.
This profound, widespread sense of community is rarely found in the United States, with prevalence only in large cities such as LA, New York, and San Francisco, or in smaller rural areas where citizens grow up together in the same place for generations, creating an almost familial bond. However, when measured by the support of local businesses, the kind of community you’d find in LA County is wildly different from what you’d find in the outskirts of Bangkok. Here in LA, you might grab takeout once a week from your favorite local spot, go to the grocery store to pick up some produce, and cook at home. In Thailand, locals source their produce from nearby fresh markets and buy dinner from small street stalls daily. Small businesses are the core of Thailand’s economy, where owners take pride in perfecting their craft and making customers happy, especially at street markets, where their food, drinks, and welcoming attitudes set them apart.
Growing up in this type of environment, where everyone is family, truly fosters a sense of community and motivates people to always help others in need. This, along with a strong sense of pride for their culture, family, and country, is what gives Thailand’s hospitality industry its reputation for remarkable service. When we visited the Banyan Tree Hotel in Bangkok, this collectivist belief was evident in how the hotel cared for its staff. In their mindset, if their staff isn’t doing well, it’s their responsibility to make sure that they have the resources to recover and truly shine in their position on Banyan’s team. They provide their staff with extensive wellness training, benefits, and additional care to ensure the wellbeing of the people who support their customers.
As for what I’ve taken away from this trip, I’ve learned that a stronger sense of community and a focus on individual well-being lead to greater happiness within a group, whether in a work environment, a school project, or even an entire community. This happiness leads to a deeper understanding of a group’s goals and expectations, enabling them to work together more harmoniously to achieve greatness. I hope to use this knowledge to improve my future experiences as a potential hospitality professional, helping to build my team up by ensuring everyone’s wellbeing and making sure everyone has access to the resources they need to succeed. I highly recommend that other students attend this trip, as it’s a great opportunity to learn about the diverse hospitality around the globe and to immerse yourself in the rich community and culture of “Amazing Thailand.” Connection begins with the people.
Have you been to Thailand before? How was your experience? How do you describe the "Thai Hospitality"?
References:
- https://asiaexchange.org/blogs/collectivism-in-thailand-during-the-pandemic/
- https://greenhousetreatment.com/addiction-treatment-services-dallas/aftercare/cities-ranked-strongest-community/
- https://www.travelandleisureasia.com/sea/people/travellers/tourism-slogans-from-almost-every-country-in-the-world/amp/
About the Author:
Angelina Tesoros’ passion for the culinary arts and commitment to exceptional service led her to pursue her studies at The Collins College of Hospitality Management at Cal Poly Pomona. She aspires to build a career that blends her love for meaningful relationships, great food, and brightening people’s days. In her free time, Angelina enjoys spending time with loved ones, caring for her cats, working as a hostess, and studying the subjects she is most passionate about at Collins College.
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