What of the people you will be meeting during your holiday in Asia? It won’t just be your guide and other members of the Selective Asia team; you’ll undoubtedly spend lots of time interacting with members from a variety of cultures and from a multitude of backgrounds. Asians are just as individual in their attitudes as we are. However, like all cultures, there are some common traits.
One of the first things you are likely to notice is just how family orientated the culture is. The younger generations put a lot of time into caring for and supporting their elders whilst in return the older members are expected to take care of the very newest members of the group. The older generation binds the family unit. Outside of the big cities you will find that it is not unusual for 3 or 4 generations of a family to live under the same roof.
Asian people are incredibly proud of their history and culture and are generally far more knowledgeable than you or I would be of our own. This is evident in their pride in sharing this knowledge with foreigners
Long hours and hard work is daily life for the vast majority. The region is still predominantly 3rd world. Weekends don’t have quite the same meaning in Asia as they do in the West: here every day is a working day. Each day starts early and, in the countryside, finishes as late as the sun allows.
Nonetheless, Thailand and Vietnam are enjoying very fast economic growth, along with fast paced change. You will encounter entrepreneurial flair on all levels, you will be amazed by the resourcefulness of the people you meet.
The vast majority of Indochina and Thailand is Buddhist and this plays an important part in shaping the genuine, generous, honest and forgiving nature of the people. You only have to witness the way in which the people of Cambodia show no signs of a grudge again the Khmer Rouge to know this to be true. They live together in peace.
Healthy living is important to many. Most are not members of the local gym; these are well out of the average worker’s price range. But in the cities you will witness the most wonderful scenes if you take to the parks and public spaces early on any day of the week. Young and old start the day by exercising; anything from Tai Chi to jumping and shouting on the spot, to playing badminton and local games such as takraw in Thailand
Most Asians are completely besotted with football, especially the English premiership. The finest present you could send any child is their favourite team's football shirt.