Relative Values
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2005 5:42 pm
I was discussing this topic with friends recently and was reminded of a good example I encountered some years ago.
It was on the occasion of my first ever visit to Thailand where I was to take up a new position. It was January and in the middle of what the Thais amusingly call 'the cool season'
Upon arriving at Bangkok International Airport in the early morning following a long overnight flight I picked up a copy of the local English language newspaper.
I glanced at the headlines and then read the local weather forecast for the day. It read as follows:
''It will be almost partly cloudy. A cool north-easterly breeze will keep temperatures down in the mid-90s"
During my years living there I became accustomed to reading many. somewhat unusual newspaper articles always underemphasising the fearsome heat that Thailand usually produces.
Some time later, I asked my (Thai) wife why it was her country's newspapers- and media generally - always downplayed the extremely hot weather to be found there.
"It's quite obvious" came the reply, "we don't want to frighten the tourists away!"
Quite!
It was on the occasion of my first ever visit to Thailand where I was to take up a new position. It was January and in the middle of what the Thais amusingly call 'the cool season'
Upon arriving at Bangkok International Airport in the early morning following a long overnight flight I picked up a copy of the local English language newspaper.
I glanced at the headlines and then read the local weather forecast for the day. It read as follows:
''It will be almost partly cloudy. A cool north-easterly breeze will keep temperatures down in the mid-90s"
During my years living there I became accustomed to reading many. somewhat unusual newspaper articles always underemphasising the fearsome heat that Thailand usually produces.
Some time later, I asked my (Thai) wife why it was her country's newspapers- and media generally - always downplayed the extremely hot weather to be found there.
"It's quite obvious" came the reply, "we don't want to frighten the tourists away!"
Quite!