Before I got the first job in my life, I had never thought it would be difficult to work with foreigners. Now, I realize that I’m completely wrong. However, no one is to blame for this kind of problem and things bit by bit get better I am sure.
People from different corners of the world of course have different minds and thoughts. I’m a Thai while my boss is British who is quite open. Thai people have a unique way to express the feeling, ideas, needs etc. They are not really open as they ‘Krengjai’, the word I’ve never been able to translate to an English single term.
‘Krengjai’ is a common habit of the Thais who dare not speak out or do something since they care and are afraid it could hurt someone’s feeling. The habit makes the Thais sweet and super friendly human being and I can’t deny that I really love the way Thai people are. However, I’m now trying pretty hard not to stick with that kind of habit as I need to be more open so that I can happily work here 
It’s been six months since the first day I started working, I’m really cool with everything - assignments, colleagues, my boss, the office and so on. I’m now learning not to Krengjai, but hope it won’t become my permanent habit!!
April 29th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
“Krengjai” this’s one song of Raptor.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:51 pm
You know this word!? Gosh!!
May 16th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Hello!! Alitta Do you remenber me? English baby guy. haha
Can you change link with me? I have already added you link on my page
May 20th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Wherever,everybody must be adaptable to environment change.
So you must adjust yourself to new conditions.But don’t lose yourself.Krengjar is a virtue
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:01 am
[...] and opinions is because of a common trait amoung all Thai’s - It’s called Gengjai. In Alitta’s words, gengjai means: Krengjai’ is a common habit of the Thais who dare not speak out or do something [...]
June 4th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
yo yo !!! this is my first comment in 2 months. That’s good to keep a good side of “Krengjai” and left the rest side behind.
June 18th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
krengjai in English is:
“indebtedness”.
Lots of people have a hard time translating it simply because their English vocab isn’t sufficient (even English people..).
“Profuse expressions of gratitude do not cancel an indebtedness any more than a promissory note settles an account.”
You can feel indebted to your boss for giving you the job, you can feel indebted to your mum for giving you life… etc etc.
Hope that helps.
June 25th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
[...] fourth thing is noisy people! Of course they can talk on the train but they should be krengjai other passengers by not talking that loudly! Most of them are teenagers, they love showing off in [...]