Seven frequently asked travel questions answered - from writing reviews to hotel ratings
- Why do Thais appear to speak little English when the country welcomes 40 million visitors a year? And why do so many cruise passengers seem to fall overboard?
- Here are our answers to those plus five other oft-asked queries from tourists
Why does it appear to holidaymakers that Thais speak little English? This “mystery” preoccupies plenty of tourists and travel bloggers. True, there are a number of countries where proficiency in the world’s common language is limited but few of them receive 40 million visitors a year.
Theories range from an education system that favours rote learning and grammar, rather than oral fluency, to the fact that Thailand was never colonised. Many Thais do speak excellent English, of course, but holidaymakers are unlikely to encounter them selling souvenirs in a night market or renting motorbikes. Rest assured, the doctor who treats you after crashing said vehicle is likely to be fluent.
Most Thais aren’t paid enough nor is there the incentive to spend hours in evening classes perfecting their pronunciation. In general, those employed in the tourism industry have the level of linguistic competence required to do their job and no more. No one ever turned down a Thai massage because the masseuse was unable to discuss Shakespeare.
Why are some hotels extra keen for guests to write reviews as soon as possible? Every so often a hotel manager asks me whether I’ll be so kind as to write a positive review. This happens after I’ve told him how much I’ve enjoyed my stay. On some occasions, the request has an imploring, desperate edge and I think I know why.
“We’re only as good as the most recent review page,” a guest house-owning friend once explained to me. Fair point – not many of us trawl through hundreds of guest comments.
We look at the overall score and a few recent reviews – and if one happens to mention a bedbug infestation or surly staff, then the boss will want to relegate the offending complaint as quickly as possible with lots of new (and glowing) praise.