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Published on August 16, 2007

 One of our customers is a representative for a local company. This man is young but a real go-getter. The other day, he dropped by my office in the late afternoon. Then he left, and I finished up some work.

I don't have a car, so when I go home, I walk to the main soi, where I can find a taxi. There's construction going on next to the office, but it's only about a three-minute walk to the taxi.

It was already dark that night as I walked to the main road. Suddenly, I heard someone call my name. When I looked around, I realised it was this young man. He was standing near a fence with his back to me, although he had turned his head around to greet me. He was obviously taking a pee.

I've often noticed guys answering nature's call alongside a road, but they don't usually hail people while they're in the act.

The thing is, this man has visited me since. He acts as if nothing happened. I don't know how to behave. The friends I ask for advice just shake their heads and laugh. They're no help at all. I'm uneasy. After all, he was in the middle of a personal act when he called out to me. I don't think Thai people are that informal, are they?

Puzzled

Dear Puzzled,

So sorry. After I read your letter, I shook my head and laughed, just like your friends did. I hope you understand that no one is laughing at you. The behaviour of this man is beyond belief. He's obviously an insensitive jerk, the reason your colleagues passed him on to you in the first place.

Don't worry about it. He's not your friend, not even a colleague.

Maintain your professional attitude. If he drops by again in the late afternoon, do ask one of your male colleagues (or a guard) to accompany you to the main road when you go home.

Problems that Melanee can advise you on? Fax (02) 751 4446, or e-mail her at melaneepetra@hotmail.com.

By Melanee petra