Went to the bank today and was introduced to a manager who was on a visit from their head office in Bangkok. I think she wanted to meet an expat customer as the bank is keen to sign up more foreigners. We chatted for about a quarter of an hour.

Although she then excused herself by saying she had an appointment with an outside client, she was actually in the branch to conduct appraisal interviews with the staff and did not leave the building.

I would not have expected her to give me details of her role in the bank but she need only have said, “nice meeting you, hope to see you again”. Thais like to elaborate on a story instead of giving a simple, direct, and truthful response.

The branch manager told me later that she was not that high up in the bank, only one grade higher than she was. There was an understandable jealousy in that remark.