The boss had put a thick green line under the last entry in the office clocking-in book. Staff are allowed to be fifteen minutes late, and the line is drawn after that time expires each day.

The deadline is 8.45am and the usual practice is for employees to write in that time, even if they arrive a little later. Amazing how many staff arrive at exactly the same time!
Once the green line is drawn, of course, they have to enter the correct arrival time.

The Boss’s Watch was Wrong

But his watch must have been at least fifteen minutes fast because it was still not time for the office to open.

Nobody complained. That was not surprising, Thais are inclined to turn the other cheek. Mai pen rai. It doesn’t matter. They like working with a bit of give and take, and dislike rules being followed too rigidly.

A few of the staff took exception and just turned round and went back home. Not going upstairs to the office to complain meant avoiding any possible argument for technically being late. In a way, their idea of freedom is being able to do as they like. Life must not be too serious.

The next time the boss wants a favour done in a hurry, he may not find the staff particularly cooperative.

You can go months in this country and still be taken aback by how Thais react to certain situations. Never underestimate a Thai’s ability to be unpredictable.