Conversation in the Thai workplace - hiring a new receptionist
HR had the job of recruiting a new receptionist at work recently. I had to speak to the girl on the phone (she was in a room next door) to observe how well she could speak English. This conversation occurred after that phone call:
HR girl (looking concerned): “So what did you think her?”
Me: “I thought she was fine. She could speak English OK and could understand me when I talked. She was better than the other girl that came in yesterday. Why? Didn’t you like her?”
HR girl: “But did you see her face yet?”
Me: “No. [I had only spoken to her on the phone as part of the test up until this point.] What’s wrong with her face?”
HR girl: “I think her face is too big.”
Me: “Too big?”
HR girl: “Wait till you see it.”
[Interviewee walks by and is introduced to me and then taken somewhere else]
Me: “She looks fine.”
HR girl: “Ah so you like girls with a big face then. I see.”
The girl with the smaller face was hired instead.
Techno’ tags: Thailand, Workplace conversation, Bangkok
April 22nd, 2007 at 2:32 pm
What are u going to say is that the better look girl is hired right?
If they both are capable to do this job, the better look will probably be hired then I guess.
It’s too bad. I also have a big face, so are u willing to hire me then? hehehe
Just kidding =P
April 22nd, 2007 at 2:57 pm
Remember kids, Thailand doesn’t have a problem with racism or looks. :0)
“The girl with the smaller face was hired then hired instead.” is that mean’t to be fired then hired, or hired then fired?
April 22nd, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Hahaha. It would be great if she was hired then fired. But as such the girl with the smaller face has just been hired and not fired yet.
April 22nd, 2007 at 9:12 pm
LOL, this is hilarious!
btw, u dint exert any influence via yr evaluation?? such pity!
April 23rd, 2007 at 4:50 am
I’ve interviewed close to 100 people in the last few months and, at times, it has been a bit like a beauty contest. The inclusion of a photograph as an integral part of a CV came as a bit of a shock at first, and when I mentioned to my Thai colleagues that I’m not interested in looks, only whether the person can do the job, they were baffled and asked what I would do if the applicant was ugly? Still, I have kept my principles and only appointed people according to their experience and ability - hell, I have even employed a lady boy!
April 23rd, 2007 at 6:54 am
Oh wait. She’s actually a receptionist. Not a secretary at all.
April 23rd, 2007 at 7:47 am
Here’s an interesting scenario:
The hirer has to have been judged at somepoint, but what happens if they get fat/spotty/ugly? Is their contract re-evaluated due to their features changing?
April 23rd, 2007 at 10:27 am
This is so typical and something I still can’t understand. I know it happens in the US, but not anywhere near the frequency or with such openness as it occurs here.
April 23rd, 2007 at 1:03 pm
man…i don’t know what more to say…so, i will just continue laughing until i think of something better and sensible to post *lol*
April 24th, 2007 at 4:10 am
That’s why it’s not recommended to have your picture on a CV, somehow even unconcisouly it has an impact on the hirers.
That’s unless of course you look like Tata Young or Paula Taylor. In which case, it might be an advantage. That is of course if the hirer is a male…
I remember a lawsuit case where someone with a little better qualification but ugly didn’t get the job and she was said so for the above mentioned reason.
The position was receptionist too. The company won the case on the basis that for this position it is important to have a good looking person because it’s the front door of the company and that person would represent the image of the company. Therefore, a butt ugly person was not recommended even though she had better skills… That was in France, where employment is protected like there’s no tomorrow.