TOO CASUAL ?
I had a meeting yesterday afternoon with the senior vice president of corporate marketing for one of Thailand's biggest credit card companies. This guy, I would guess, is probably in his late 30s or early 40s and was really nice but I couldn't help feeling a little overdressed in my suit, shirt and tie. The reason - he was wearing a casual 'Gap-style' shirt and jeans.
Apparently this is the relaxed style that is adopted by this, and several other companies in Bangkok. This company also operates 'hot-desking' - meaning that none of the employees have their own desk. Each desk is identical and it's first come, first served - although in sales I'm told there are only around 20 desks for the 100 or more staff. That's because they shouldn't be in the office, they should be out selling.
This is pretty revolutionary for Thailand but I know it's increasingly common in other parts of the world. Personally I am not a big fan of being too casual at work as it can create the wrong impression. What do you guys think?
5 comments:
As you know, it is too warm in Bangkok. Many Thais, hence, think that it is a good idea to dress casually from time to time.
Have you heard about the mandarin collar club? :) It is stated to be the future of business fashion of Asia. Great for the tropical climate.
I once wore sandals to my office by mistake (I'd been half-asleep when I left my room). Nobody seemed to mind.
I just think there is casual, and there is too casual. Having seen inside this company I think I am less likely to deal with them on a personal level, just because of the seemingly relaxed and casual style of their approach to office like. That's just me though.
There is casual and there is too casual. You can be casual and still look smart and respectable and then there is too casual looking like you are about to go to a sports pub after work. I still believe that you should look smart and professional when meeting clients or business professionals. You can always change back to casual when you are done meeting people. I like the hotdesk concept and it really works especially in a sales environment. It's never good when you have a comfortable desk for sales people and they only end up having their butt on the seat all day claiming to make calls to "so called prospects".
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