STUCK IN THE SLOW LANE

Thai people in general seem to lack any kind of urgency. I'll give you two examples to back up that rather sweeping statement. Last night I was walking to the MRT and got stuck behind a group of seven office workers. The path isn't the widest and, despite me trying to edge my way past they seemed oblivious to my presence and desire to pass them. They were dawdling along at a snails pace without a care in the world. I'd liken it to getting stuck behind a tractor on a country lane in the UK. You have to wait until there is adequate space to pass.
Urgency in the workplace is often lacking too. If you say something needs doing now, it seems to put extra pressure on them. To get an answer within 20 minutes to a question that involves a short phone call is seemingly impossible. I gave that task to one of my staff yesterday lunchtime and I am still waiting for the answer. I don't think it's my staff especially; it seems pretty common in other workplaces that I have come into contact with.
I'll ask for the answer to my question first thing this morning, but I know there might be the all-encompassing 'loss of face' if I make too much of a deal about it.