Posted 2012-02-06 01:30:02
 zzaa09, on 2012-02-05 23:55:55, said:
Banzai99, on 2012-02-05 13:45:04, said:
Semper, on 2012-02-05 13:31:45, said:
Quote Don't move to Thailand and expect it to be like your Motherland, it is not.
Indeed. That's the whole point in moving here.
Seems that for many, the point in moving to Thailand is to spend every waking hour in front of a computer complaining.
Rather ironic, as a greater percentage of members/posters aren't residents of The Golden Land - perhaps 75% wannabes.
Or was wannabes, and are now Notwannabes?
Posted 2012-02-06 01:38:36
zzaa09, on 2012-02-04 21:31:14, said:
stoneyboy, on 2012-02-04 21:17:44, said:
Leave your western thoughts behind.
...and his Western sensitivities.
Think too much.
I don't think there's anything wrong with expecting some polite acknowledgement of your courtesy and manners. Having said that I've encountered both, both here and back home, little difference..
Posted 2012-02-06 03:12:26
op where abouts are you in thailand? im in the northeast and dont have a problem,ok its not the same as in the uk but we all do things differantly.I have noticed some thais dont say thanks but when you hold a door for someone pushing a wheelchair or an old lady,someone carrying a box,they always say thankyou and half the time in english.
When im on a bus sat down and a lady older than me gets on and has to stand i always give up my seat,im not saying that the thai men are rude maybe they just dont think cos the thai women are tough old buggers.
One thing that really annoys me though is when you see an ambulance flashing and the cars infront dont get out of the way to let it through,to me thats just unbelievable!
Posted 2012-02-06 03:20:31
Kilgore Trout, on 2012-02-05 12:41:15, said:
I'm not complaining about Thais blocking escalators in Thailand, my comment is in response to the Thai apologist who said "Why do you move half way round the world and then expect people to behave in the same way as the place you moved from?"
In what way are the words in quote marks apologist? On the contrary they're simple common sense.
Posted 2012-02-06 21:26:54
fredtitmus, on 2012-02-06 03:12:26, said:
op where abouts are you in thailand? im in the northeast and dont have a problem,ok its not the same as in the uk but we all do things differantly.I have noticed some thais dont say thanks but when you hold a door for someone pushing a wheelchair or an old lady,someone carrying a box,they always say thankyou and half the time in english.
When im on a bus sat down and a lady older than me gets on and has to stand i always give up my seat,im not saying that the thai men are rude maybe they just dont think cos the thai women are tough old buggers.
One thing that really annoys me though is when you see an ambulance flashing and the cars infront dont get out of the way to let it through,to me thats just unbelievable!
Its normal here, I see it a lot and when cars pull over to let it through some thicko thinks this is the time to make up some time and pulls out to overtake and blocks the ambulance, its a thai mentality that I do not condone but its not unusual.
Posted 2012-02-08 07:54:33
In the 12 years I've been here, holding the door open behind me has mostly been reciprocated with a smile/thanks or both.
Posted 2012-02-08 11:02:26
I don't have any major problem with most Thais, and I'm a thai myself. I live in soi Ari & regularly use BTS to do and buy things everywhere.
I have seen people getting up for old ladies and children all the time. And also have seen people holding door or elevator for other strangers. Yes I acknowledge that not all will "verbally" say thank you, but some will just smiles, and some will simply nodding/bowing their heads at diff degree. There are many gestures or ways for the thais to say "thank you", and it may not always be verbal....if only you take the time to notice those little different ways.
Most thais are quite polite people actually....this comes across all socioeconomic groups. We're one of very few countries that quite welcome and friendly to many foreigners....(well until they got very pissed off by those foreigners, that is  )
Just saying.....that in Thailand, there are many forms of communication, and some thais prefer or feel comfortable with non-verbal gestures/ acknowledgement. Don't be so quick to judge and blanket all thais from just a few of your bad experiences...whatever they may be. There are many happy and less complained(constantly) foreigners all over thailand, but they are mostly happily doing all sorts of things outside and less time chatting their time away on the internet. You just have to find them and ask for their insight ...of how they adapt/adjust of living here, when most things are diff than back home. Don't expect people to come to your aid or help solving all your problems instantly, 'cause you're not that special.....just a "one dot" in thailand.
If you want to understand things, you have to be first an open mind person, then find the right people for advices (both thais & foreigners), and don't be too quick to blanket that all thais are like that, then you will see things from different perspectives.
Ok I'm off for more bags/shoes gathering again....and yes I usually don't have much problem with those salepeople stalking me (as much talked about here) 
Edited by doji, 2012-02-08 11:11:11.
Posted 2012-02-08 13:32:33
varun, on 2012-02-08 07:54:33, said:
In the 12 years I've been here, holding the door open behind me has mostly been reciprocated with a smile/thanks or both.
Same with me.
Posted 2012-02-08 13:36:25
endure, on 2012-02-06 03:20:31, said:
Kilgore Trout, on 2012-02-05 12:41:15, said:
I'm not complaining about Thais blocking escalators in Thailand, my comment is in response to the Thai apologist who said "Why do you move half way round the world and then expect people to behave in the same way as the place you moved from?"
In what way are the words in quote marks apologist? On the contrary they're simple common sense.
It is common sense. Or should be to anyone with an IQ above tree bark. But don't mind Kilgore. He hates everything about Thailand and takes it personal if anyone defends the Thais on any issue.
Posted 2012-02-08 13:50:15
I am very happy to live in Thailand and be away from the ratrace!I have slowed down a lot in many ways and dont even want to get upset anymore.In traffic i will let anyone do as they please,i have a lot more free time than most people i think.
We live in a very quiet place and my Thai neighbours are always nice to us and invite us to their parties.
I always have avoided rude people and dont meet very many now.
The things that used to make me upset now just make me smile!!!
Posted 2012-02-08 14:55:44
lovelaos, on 2012-02-05 19:12:17, said:
Why hold a door open for anyone? .
Nice.
Posted 2012-02-08 15:23:58
Berkshire, on 2012-02-08 13:36:25, said:
endure, on 2012-02-06 03:20:31, said:
Kilgore Trout, on 2012-02-05 12:41:15, said:
I'm not complaining about Thais blocking escalators in Thailand, my comment is in response to the Thai apologist who said "Why do you move half way round the world and then expect people to behave in the same way as the place you moved from?"
In what way are the words in quote marks apologist? On the contrary they're simple common sense.
It is common sense. Or should be to anyone with an IQ above tree bark. But don't mind Kilgore. He hates everything about Thailand and takes it personal if anyone defends the Thais on any issue.
Not true at all; I just get annoyed at double standards.
Posted 2012-02-08 15:57:34
Kilgore Trout, on 2012-02-08 15:23:58, said:
Berkshire, on 2012-02-08 13:36:25, said:
endure, on 2012-02-06 03:20:31, said:
Kilgore Trout, on 2012-02-05 12:41:15, said:
I'm not complaining about Thais blocking escalators in Thailand, my comment is in response to the Thai apologist who said "Why do you move half way round the world and then expect people to behave in the same way as the place you moved from?"
In what way are the words in quote marks apologist? On the contrary they're simple common sense.
It is common sense. Or should be to anyone with an IQ above tree bark. But don't mind Kilgore. He hates everything about Thailand and takes it personal if anyone defends the Thais on any issue.
Not true at all; I just get annoyed at double standards.
If I am wrong, I stand corrected. I just don't recall you ever saying anything positive about Thais or Thailand. Of course, I don't exactly comb these pages every day looking for your posts. But it appears to be consistent, very much like that Awoh guy and a few others.
Posted 2012-02-08 16:52:51
I made a similar observation on Thai Visa a while ago.
It's pretty much the norm to get no response, at least not a Western one. If anything, you may get a shy look, or they may try to get small (bend low and crouch) which I guess could be construed as respectful.
Personally, I tend to err on the side that I will continue to act with Western courtesy even to Thai folk. Just don't expect anything in return. But I have noticed that Westerners tend to respond with smiles and kind word. This is something that I miss from Western culture and when I see it, I enjoy the moment.
Posted 2012-02-08 17:28:27
I don't think it's any different in Thailand than any where else. Sometimes people say thanks nod smile wave or beep their horn other times you could be a drying piece of fecal matter as far as the acknowlegement you receive.
Posted 2012-02-08 17:31:39
connda, on 2012-02-08 16:52:51, said: I made a similar observation on Thai Visa a while ago. It's pretty much the norm to get no response, at least not a Western one. If anything, you may get a shy look, or they may try to get small (bend low and crouch) which I guess could be construed as respectful. Personally, I tend to err on the side that I will continue to act with Western courtesy even to Thai folk. Just don't expect anything in return. But I have noticed that Westerners tend to respond with smiles and kind word. This is something that I miss from Western culture and when I see it, I enjoy the moment.
I too err on the side of Western courtesy... however, it is not Western courtesy at play here, its simple courtesy in any form, from any culture. The simple fact is that after traveling to and having worked in so many different places I have found one thing to be common - IF someone is attempting to be courteous it's nearly impossible to misunderstand their actions. In other words when someone is trying to be polite and courteous, its obvious.
Thai is a very polite culture, it is the norm to thank someone when a door is being held open or when one courteous act deserves acknowledgment.... With issues such as these I believe we are seeing the development of an ignorant world.
In Thailand it is the ignorant rude and impolite Thai's who don't behave in a courteous manner, I suspect there are an equal number of these characters as in any capital city throughout the world. In examples such as this, I don't think we can expect better or worse standards from Thailand, however, the fundamentals should be the same.
Edited by richard_smith237, 2012-02-08 17:35:21.
Posted 2012-02-08 17:32:30
mogoso, on 2012-02-08 17:28:27, said: I don't think it's any different in Thailand than any where else. Sometimes people say thanks nod smile wave or beep their horn other times you could be a drying piece of fecal matter as far as the acknowlegement you receive.
Agreed...
Posted 2012-02-08 17:41:20
No, it's 'normal', (caveat: you're talking about the majority of Thais, right?)
It's just plain I.G.N.O.R.A.N.T.
The Thais that do, of whichever class strata, have learned from we lowly farang.
Edited by silsburyhill, 2012-02-08 17:42:51.
#94
billybobthedog
Posted 2012-02-08 18:52:55
Tywais, on 2012-02-04 23:10:42, said:
The majority of the time if I hold a door open I get a smile and or a thank you so find the experiences of others posting here rather at odds with mine. Location, attitude, dress ... other reasons why different?
Quote
Just stand there with my shopping trolly parked in the centre of the aisle pretending no one else is around.
Ok, that sometimes does get on my nerves. 
Have to agree with you there. Often I have had a smile and a nod of the head when holding a door open or letting someone into the traffic, it is pot luck however, as I would say on the road you are less likely to get a thank you. But it does happen, and in many cases it seems to be the ones in the "shoddier" vehicles who thank you - I think the obnoxious self important Thai in his fancy new car sort of expects the peasnats to make way for him/her.
Posted 2012-02-09 08:13:14
If we are all honest its just the same in our homeland, the difference is we are talking about Thailand, because thats where we are and therefore fingering the indegineous population. I expect we can find the same thing all over the world dot you think? Good Game Good game!!!!!!!!!!
Posted 2012-02-09 08:19:00
A post containing offensive generalizations has been removed as well as a reply.
Posted 2012-02-11 22:24:02
JurgenG, on 2012-02-05 07:44:04, said:
In my opinion it should have something to do with the OP appearance and personal hygiene. Ask any Thai and the majority of those leaving near big falang settlements will tell you that falang smell bad. 
First western bodies are not used to the local temperature and sweat profusely. Then how many foreigners take at least two showers a day as the average Thai do ? Use deodorant with antiperspirant ? 
And the way farang dress ! 
If the Thai tend to avoid you in the street, maybe there are a few points you should check first
Deffo wasn't that mate. I take 2 showers a day here in blighty anyway, over there it's 3. And if I smell of anything it's Joop, which the gf loves.
As for the heat, I really don't find it that bad there, wasn't at all unbearable even in Bangkok or Krabi. I am yet to be here for April though which I hear is when thingds hot up. Generally though I am a very well groomed young guy who dresses smart too. Not one of these who has let them selves go big time...
AdamBanks, on 2012-02-05 08:49:52, said:
Maybe in Thailand, what you all are complaining of is not seen as rude here in Thailand so they are not being rude, and when you react differently, they think you are odd? You can compare cultures, but you can not condemn another one just because it is not the same as yours; try China if you want to see a real difference of culture. On the flip side, imagine a Thai web board saying how bad farangs are because they stick their older relatives in old folks homes and never visit them; or you not sending your mother money every month as a sign of respect whether she needs it or not; or not paying a dowry to your Farang wife's family and worse still expecting them to pay for the wedding; and at the wedding giving someone a toaster as opposed to a handful of cash.
Some good points here.
Posted 2012-02-16 10:34:34
AdamBanks, on 2012-02-05 08:49:52, said:
Maybe in Thailand, what you all are complaining of is not seen as rude here in Thailand so they are not being rude, and when you react differently, they think you are odd? You can compare cultures, but you can not condemn another one just because it is not the same as yours; try China if you want to see a real difference of culture. On the flip side, imagine a Thai web board saying how bad farangs are because they stick their older relatives in old folks homes and never visit them; or you not sending your mother money every month as a sign of respect whether she needs it or not; or not paying a dowry to your Farang wife's family and worse still expecting them to pay for the wedding; and at the wedding giving someone a toaster as opposed to a handful of cash.
well said
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