Ajarn Forum - Living and Teaching In Thailand - View Single Post

goo_stewart · 28th February 2007, 14:07

I gotta be honest here, answering phones in class sets a bad example for a nation of kids which find it an acceptable thing to be doing. A ringing phone is always answered, even in the middle of a conversation/dinner/taking a dump. This, in my humble opinion, is because of the itch/scratch way of living here (have you ever tried to deny food to a Thai who feels peckish for example!).

Mum and Dad of little Lek, will find it totally acceptable to cut off whatever they are doing and answer the phone without any thought, this is the lesson that most Thai kids learn. This is just the way things are, the kids will know the rules about answering phones in class but will definitely not understand them! Us answering our phones does reinforce the acceptability of this.

If anyone has done business in UK then they know how offensive this kind of thing is to the British business world. I once saw a senior manager thrown out of a meeting by the MD for leaving his ringtone on (he didn't get a chance to answer the thing!). This is a cultural issue. Its totally acceptable here to answer phones in class and elsewhere because that is the cultural norm. However in UK its unacceptable.

I do think its or duty as teachers to lead by example and show WHY it is a rude thing to be doing (for us). Disturbing others, irritating, selfish etc.

I do totally get the whole kids scenario and have a deal of sympathy for it, however receiving a phone call probably isn't going to save a life, teaching responsibility and manners (from a western perspective) trumps it in my opinion.

28th February 2007, 14:07	#38 (permalink)
goo_stewart goo_stewart is cooking MCs like a pound of bacon.... Regular User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 532 vCash: 3019 Rep Power: 213	Re: Do you answer the phone while in class? I gotta be honest here, answering phones in class sets a bad example for a nation of kids which find it an acceptable thing to be doing. A ringing phone is always answered, even in the middle of a conversation/dinner/taking a dump. This, in my humble opinion, is because of the itch/scratch way of living here (have you ever tried to deny food to a Thai who feels peckish for example!). Mum and Dad of little Lek, will find it totally acceptable to cut off whatever they are doing and answer the phone without any thought, this is the lesson that most Thai kids learn. This is just the way things are, the kids will know the rules about answering phones in class but will definitely not understand them! Us answering our phones does reinforce the acceptability of this. If anyone has done business in UK then they know how offensive this kind of thing is to the British business world. I once saw a senior manager thrown out of a meeting by the MD for leaving his ringtone on (he didn't get a chance to answer the thing!). This is a cultural issue. Its totally acceptable here to answer phones in class and elsewhere because that is the cultural norm. However in UK its unacceptable. I do think its or duty as teachers to lead by example and show WHY it is a rude thing to be doing (for us). Disturbing others, irritating, selfish etc. I do totally get the whole kids scenario and have a deal of sympathy for it, however receiving a phone call probably isn't going to save a life, teaching responsibility and manners (from a western perspective) trumps it in my opinion.