I Don't Speak Thai But I Try

Just For Fun ฝรั่งร้องเพลงในภาษาไทย

I thought I would share a little something about one of the largest challenges in my business--the language barrier.



Here is a video that one of my friends posted on Facebook a couple of weeks ago.  I have no idea who this singer is, but I thought it was kind of fun and rather creative.  

For anyone who has ever spent more than two weeks outside of one's own home country this video is for you.  I think the essence of both confusion and frustration is captured quite well in Maggie's video.

I have been able to speak Thai fairly well for over ten years, but I am a little rusty.  I learned that the hard way when I went to Thailand last year to help set up my business.  Nevertheless, after a week or so I felt more comfortable because my brain was overcoming the language equivalent of jet lag.  

Then earlier this year-- in the middle of the night-- I received a phone call from one of my contacts in Thailand.  My brain was in sleep mode.  If any of you have ever been awakened in the middle of the night you know what I mean.  Imagine that kind of torture on your mind plus having to listen, process, and then respond in a foreign tongue.  Such is the price of doing international business.  

But like I said, I liked Maggie's video so much because of its authenticity.  So I decided to make a little video of my own.  

It was kind of fun to sing the little jingle.  All music and lyrics are the intellectual property of Maggie Rosenberg.

That's why today's blog is a little bit late.  Enjoy!