KOREAN PEOPLE

1. Emotional
South Koreans are inherently emotional people. They wear their hearts on their sleeves and don’t hold
themselves back when they need to express themselves.

2. Tech Addiction
South Koreans love technology! Just visit a train station at Seoul and you will see a sea of South Koreans
engrossed in their smartphones.

3. Lack of Smile
Koreans, in general, don’t often smile. However, that’s not because they are hateful towards others or
are self-centric people.

4. Respecting Elders
Children all around the world are taught that they must respect their elders. However, South Koreans
take this lesson quite seriously.

5. Ppalli Ppalli
Ppalli Ppalli is a Korean phrase that translates to “hurry hurry”, but it’s more than just an expression. It’s
a part of Korean culture which promotes the idea of being more productive in life by getting things done
faster.

SAUDI ARABIAN Personality characteristics:

They are generous, kind, and compassionate to people.

They love helping other people, and they are usually hospitable to their guests.

They usually smile in front of peoples’ faces. They have a big sense of humor, however their humor
might get clammy.

They are usually not racist to foreigners and people of color. However many in the Gulf Area are
somewhat racist to foreigners and blacks.

They are also deeply tolerate of religions other than Islam, such as Christianity. However, in deeply
conservative societies such as KSA & Yemen, religions other than Islam is not tolerated.

They seem to value family a lot more than other nations. Family is a major part of Arab life.

They are usually humble but sometimes brash at people.

They are so wise that no civilization has been smarter and wiser than the Arabs.
They seem to love poetry a lot and consider it a part of their culture.

They are confident, ferocious, strong, and usually live in hard environments.

They are brave when they are fighting their enemies, and they are ferocious to them, but sometimes
kind.

JAPAN
Here are the most common adjectives that Westerners chose when characterizing the people of Japan.

#1. Polite
Weighing in at number one was polite, or in Japanese “reigi tadashii.” Everyone has heard of the
traditional Japanese bow used as a greeting during any given exchange.

#2. Punctual
Japan takes its time management very seriously. The Japan Railway (JR) and other connecting subways
and train systems are well-known for their incredibly punctual schedules.

#3. Kind
Unlike polite, which can have its downsides, kind is a genuinely positive word. In Japanese, words with
similar connotations to the English phrase are “yasashii” or “omoyari no aru,” meaning “thoughtful of
others.”

#4. Hard-working
A hard-worker or “hataraki-mono” is definitely a common word that classifies a Japanese mindset.

#5. Respectful
Another tie-in with polite, respectful or “tanin ni taishite keii wo hyo suru” to loosely describe it in
Japanese, is a mainly positive word. However, it can sometimes be associated with distance.

#6. Shy
An overall impression of the citizens of Japan is that they’re very shy people, or “hazukashigariya”. This
might be linked to their focus on politeness and respect.

#7. Intelligent
There’s a definite stereotype of people from Asian countries being the brainy cream of the crop.
Whether this is factually correct or not wasn’t technically relevant to the survey thread, but it certainly
was a nice compliment.

#8. Grouping
You know how girls are always said to travel in packs? Same goes for Japanese people, apparently. A
word of advice to any aspiring English teachers in Japan is to make lots of group activities.
#9. Formal
Tying in with polite, Japan has a reputation for being very formal. This manifests itself in both manner
and language. Japanese has many different formality levels depending on who you’re addressing.

#10. Clean
Many Internet users have seen Japanese tourists pick up trash from around campsites and rest stops
even when they didn’t make the mess themselves. This habit and others added the description of clean
to the list.

FILIPINO
1. Hospitality

Filipinos are known for being hospitable, especially to tourists and wanderers who do not have a place
to stay. In some tourist spots such as Baguio City, locals even offer the comforts of their own homes for
tourists who need a place to stay for a night or two.

2. Optimism
Despite being a path for typhoons, Filipinos remain positive about their situation. Whatever problems
come their way, they always greet visitors with a smile on their faces and say “It’s okay”.

3. Resourcefulness
Filipinos are talented and highly creative. They can fashion instruments out of kitchen utensils, and
could solve problems at a snap of a finger, thanks to their resourcefulness.

4. Respect for elders

They have a habit of kissing the hands of elders, an act that means they are asking for their elder’s
blessing. (They call it – “Mano”)

5. Strong family ties

Only in the Philippines will you see families that bond together like no other. In a typical household,
you’ll see extended families like the grandparents and the couple’s siblings, all co-existing harmoniously
with the nuclear family.

6. Collective pride
Filipinos are mighty proud of their cultural heritage and are doubly proud when they hear of Filipinos
making it big in other countries. For them, there is no “half-Filipino”. A person born with Filipino blood,
no matter how small the percentage is, is regarded with respect and pride.

7. Strong work ethic

Filipinos are also committed individuals, especially in the workforce. Tourists admire Filipino valets and
bellboys who always extend a helping hand to them, despite calling on their service in the wee hours.
There is no snobbish attitude among the Filipinos.

8. Industriousness
Once berated by national hero Jose Rizal for following after the colonizers’ siesta rule and indolence, the
typical Filipino is hard working and has no qualms about working beyond their schedule.

9. Helpfulness
Filipinos are generally liked by tourists because they do not choose whom to help. When someone
needs assistance, they readily come to their aid.

10. Gratefulness
Filipinos are known for saying “thank you” whenever they are helped in return. Locals also give presents
to tourists to thank them for taking time to visit their region.

11. Honesty
Have you heard of the Honesty store in Batanes, where no one guards the store, thus letting residents
and tourists purchase goods and pay whatever amount they want? How about the cab drivers who
return wallets and other belongings to their passengers? These show how honest Filipinos can be, and
this is also the reason why tourists trust them completely.

12. Courtesy
Aside from saying “po” and “opo”, Filipinos are known worldwide to be very polite. They make sure that
they give their visitors a warm welcome.

13. Bravery
The Filipino spirit is marked with courage, especially in times of distress and other problems.

14. Unity
Also referred to as the “Bayanihan”, Filipinos help one another when their fellowmen need them.

15. Faith
The Philippines is predominantly a Catholic country, and wherever the Filipinos go, they always make it a
point to honor God Almighty. Tourists can attest to the many churches, old and new, erected in the
country.

INDIAN PEOPLE

1. Have Good Eyes

Having good eyes is one of the most noticeable Indian characteristics and traits. Almost all Indians are
very expressive with their face and their body language. But it’s their eyes that stand out the most.

2. Tardy
Most Indians can be tardy. They undermine the value of time and really takes a while to get anything
done.

3. Likes to Judge
Another thing about Indians is that they tend to be very judgemental people.

4. Respects Their Elders

Indians are very respectful towards their elders. Whenever the young Indians meet their older relatives,
they must always touch their feet.

5. Good at Bargaining
It seems that bargaining is a natural Indian characteristic and traits. They find it so easy to haggle for
that price they’re aiming for. They have this mindset of paying as cheap as you can rather than spending
all your hard earned money.

6. Likes to Compare
Indians like to compare things, people, achievements and so on. They can’t help being like this especially
the older ones. For instance, if a kid achieves something, their parents would likely compare them to
someone else with an even better achievement.

7. Loves Conversations
Talking is one of Indians’ favourite activity. They talk about almost anything. Conversations with the
people around them is a must.

8. Treat Guests with Respect

Guests must be treated with respect and the best hospitality as much as possible. Indians love their
guests and will make them feel at home.

9. Bribing
Bribing is very common in India. It’s the easiest way to get out of an unwanted situation. Indians won’t
have to fuss too much when they can just bribe out of their troubles.

10. Blaming Other People

An interesting Indian characteristic and traits is that they often blame other people for almost anything.
They don’t like to be hold accountable for their actions.

THAILAND PEOPLE
12. Deceptive Smiles
Thais have a smile for all occasions, a friendly smile, a disapproving smile, an insulted smile, a "we're
thankful you found ESL teaching jobs in Thailand" smile (trust us!). Don’t be fooled though — while they
may be tolerant and patient, you should become perceptive to their unspoken feelings. They will seldom
make them clear.

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11. Respect
It starts at the top with their beloved King and percolates down in a complex hierarchy of status and
seniority. Elders, monks, and teachers are afforded particular respect, and you should always defer to
those older than you. The Royal family are held in highest esteem and showing them disrespect could
land you in jail. There are other cultural differences that may seem extreme, but there are many
resources to help anyone who decides to teach in Thailand.

10. Why Wai?

Thai traits you should know before teaching abroad
The sightseeing opportunities are epic
Central to the decorum of respect and politeness is to wai those older, or far more important, than you.
It takes some practicing and foreigners are excused, but learning this graceful prayer-like gesture and its
degrees of respect will certainly earn you brownie points. The junior always initiates the wai, and it's
then reciprocated.

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9. Cool Hearted
This is probably the single biggest trait that makes such a relaxed social place when you're not working
your ESL jobs in Thailand. Thais seldom lose their cool in public or show impatience. It’s ugly and the
ultimate loss of face. To get hot-headed or show arrogance is reserved for foreigners and tourists, but
that doesn't mean you should be one of them.

8. Mai Pen Rai

It means never mind, but it can also mean: that one no have today; I forgive you, you forgive me, right?;
sorry I’m two hours late; I crashed your motorbike; you broke my iPad; and many more. Thais are easy-
going and forgiving, and they will expect the same from you if you decide to teach English in Thailand.

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7. Fun Fun Fun!
That is the mantra for most Thais, be it in the classroom, workplace, or after hours. If it’s not fun, they
lose interest; a clown of a teacher is quite acceptable in Thailand if they are able to engage the kids.
Thais would sooner eat, travel, socialise, study, and exercise together than hibernate alone with a book;
they’re social and communal and will expect you to join in.

Boats, Thailand
6. Patience
Patience is certainly an important virtue in Thailand; nothing happens in a hurry. People drive their cars
badly, bureaucrats make you grow old wrapped in red tape, and errands might take two or three visits
to complete. The locals shrug it off and get back to their Facebook app while they wait. On that note,
expect a free-for-all on mobile phone etiquette.

5. Presentation Counts
Whether it’s a well groomed set of toenails, smart uniform, Christmas tree in the lobby, neat parting on
your CV photo, or hand writing on the blackboard, it will be noticed. Look your best always while
working at ESL jobs in Thailand and you’ll gain respect. Tips for teaching job interviews in Thailand will
make sure you nail the appearance portion and get off to a great start.

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4. Piously Buddhist
This is how the entire nation goes about business, Buddhas are wai’d in passing, cars need blessings by
monks, ceremonies frequently stop the traffic, superstition reigns supreme, and the clergy are given
priority ... ALWAYS. Curiously, when the merit is made, they go back to a cut-throat routine of bribery
and infidelity. Bad karma can be remedied with future offerings to the spirits.

3. Head & Toes

This is a popular classroom song, but there’s more to it; never touch a Thai’s head, and never point with
your toes – feet are metaphorically low and dirty. Shoes are items that are always left at the door of the
house, and that includes your classroom.

monk
Respect for all living things is an integral part of Thai culture
2. Logic
This is a subjective Western notion based on a completely different set of values and priorities. In the
Orient you’re advised to simply yield and go with the flow, you’ll never make sense of it. Thais are not
known for their critical thinking ability unfortunately, but they’re good at being practical and working
around problems, as you will come to notice while teaching in Thailand.

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1. Business Ethics
They are somewhat fluid. If there’s money to be made, corners might be cut, ideas copied, teachers
switched at the last minute, and tax receipts fudged. It’s all part a super competitive 21st Century Asia.
Take the time to get accustomed to the way deals are done. The law is a flexible and financial
arrangement.