sipi

You're surprised how "Thai people can take out these bands in a jiffy"

I'm surprised how they tie them in a jiffy, without covering themselves and everything else in boiling food.

Sorry. Well done normally.

WD 160 degrees F. should kill most things. Pressure cooking is the next step up and that kills botulism. Maybe try pot roast as an intermediate step.

mate i have to agree with your points from a hygienical stand point- but culinary wise,c'mon.

I'm happy to have a good beef stew, without spending the next 3 days on the toilet. It'll be the first time in 3 decades.

We always use a simple, failsafe method. Look at number of empty tables. Look at number of customers waiting. If customers are obviously greater than empty seats, move on. Works every time.

Sorry. Well done normally.

WD 160 degrees F. should kill most things. Pressure cooking is the next step up and that kills botulism. Maybe try pot roast as an intermediate step.

Ok. Thank you very much. I never even thought about a pot-roast. Will give it a try.

Sorry. Well done normally.

He shat in his pants, shoes and hat. We have all done that at sometime.

What was the country of origin of the offending Beef steak?

What sort of eating establishments were you dining in?

Tops sell imported beef, very tasty,when you consider its Australian.

I have seen the vacuum packed beef but have avoided it because it doesn't look fresh, actually it looks slightly grey. But it might be worth trying. I figured it might potentially be a refrigeration problem as we have bought beef from the farm that has literally just been butchered, and had no problems. It was pure chance that we came across the farm at the right time. Obviously there is something going on here. Even the pork from the markets with the flies buzzing around doesn't bother me. Maybe I just have a sensitive gut to beef. I have just avoided beef fullstop because I really get violently ill from it.

I can't seem to win at all with beef whether well cooked at a restaurant or bought from the local market. I'll keep trying, reluctantly.

I have suffered "Thai tummy" (Bali belly, diarrhea, the sh*ts) numerous times during my trips to Thailand, which go back over 30 years. The main reason is because I am tempted by the good old Western steak. I have never had the squirts from eating local food, even from the worst food carts.

Ok, I love a good steak , and I am a slow learner.

I am thinking that the smaller cuts of meat (chicken, bird, pork, fish) are refrigerated immediately upon killing and processing, where-as the larger cuts are left unrefrigerated for some time before hitting the point of sale.

Has anyone else had the same experiences?

I read the opening post, and if it interests me I go straight to the reply box.

Sure I miss out on reading a lot of banter, but frankly I have better things to do.

Poetic as usual Costas. I am a bit concerned about #13 (Never attempt to greet a Roman Lady with a kiss). Does that come from personal experience?

Indeed Sir, It's personal experience

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/723200-greeting-a-thai-lady-with-a-kiss/

So funny, should have known better that to ask. I refrain from asking about the others for fear of embarrassment.

No-one deserves to be tracked. One night stand, long time girlfriend, Thailand or somewhere other. Why bother?

I just don't get it.

Poetic as usual Costas. I am a bit concerned about #13 (Never attempt to greet a Roman Lady with a kiss). Does that come from personal experience?

Great post Jake. Yes, the majority of Thais are just plain honest (especially 'in the sticks'). It is the "small things" that I enjoy.

Being served a complementary bowl of noodles whilst having a puncture repaired. Having a house built, and the supplier throws in a box of tiles. Getting a haircut and being offered a glass of water.

I have also learnt that by reciprocating, it not only pleases them; but us also.

I toss the truck driver a bottle of "Lao Khao" whiskey when he comes to pump out our septic. We give the couple that turn up on their motorbike with ice-creams a small tip.....

We never see that 'back home'.

My wife's parents have the same problem.

"Son-in-law's drunk again"

Hey Costas. I really can't understand why other forum members are trying to upset you. You are the only member I have seen that can humorously marry the Thai and Greek customs together. And you do it so well.

Keep up the good work.

How convenient that the word Narcissism derives from Greece. Your narcissistic fellow members should remember this.

I always go straight to the post, regardless of the poster (or play the ball rather than the man, as you say).

But strangely enough, the best posts are generally by the same posters (Davis and Costas being 2 of them).

As in sport, the best man has the best balls.

I worship my wife's family, especially her Mum and Dad. Ok. it has taken me over a decade of misunderstandings to get to this point. But it has been worth every minute.

The decade of misunderstandings or worshipping ?

5 years of misunderstanding, followed by 5 years of worship. Suddenly the "switch" happened. Hard to explain.

I would love to read about the worshipping part though....sounds interesting.

Washing your wife's parents and grandparents feet at Songkran. I'm not religious, but I found this very emotionally stimulating. Attending the temple with your wife's family. I have just learnt to love my in-laws for who they are. They ask for nothing. Please excuse me if I am wrong.

I worship my wife's family, especially her Mum and Dad. Ok. it has taken me over a decade of misunderstandings to get to this point. But it has been worth every minute.

The decade of misunderstandings or worshipping ?

5 years of misunderstanding, followed by 5 years of worship. Suddenly the "switch" happened. Hard to explain.

I worship my wife's family, especially her Mum and Dad. Ok. it has taken me over a decade of misunderstandings to get to this point. But it has been worth every minute.

OP, well done mate.... Like you, I have a similar set up, but sans the young kid.... I think our, the Aussie way of thinking, kinda gels well with Thais... I am not speaking for every Aussie, but I am sure it applies in many cases.... we have 4 daughters (<deleted>) aged from 28 - 13, and we never had any real problems with cross cultural stuff.... I think we are far more relaxed in our attitudes and tolerances when it comes to others, than people people from some countries....I think it helps to find a lady that has a relaxed attitude as well.... It works for me..... Bugger the nay sayers I reckon..... I am pretty confident, they have not had the experience of a real relationship with a real person.... or maybe have never tried...

You have it nailed, mate..... and more power to you.

Actually, I have managed to completely screw this one up from the first word. It is you who has nailed it.

Thank-you so much.

I do apologize for my part in derailing the thread. Out of context I really thought you were another over 60 guy bragging about how simple life is with a 20 something submissive wife and child. We get a lot of those threads here.

I think that you might have had better responses if you posted in the family section. I also think if your title was "overcoming cultural differences in relationships", you might have had a better discussion.

There are difficulties in all relationships. Each person is filled with anxiety, fears, self doubt, ego, self entitlement. All of these hinder and create obstacles that we must overcome to make all relationships work.

Then you have gender differences in male-female relationships. There are communication styles, equality issues, and the different ideals we have from our role models about relationships.

On top of that with cultural differences you have concepts of gender roles, language barriers, aesthetic ideals, religion, societal paradigms, etc.

It is quite rare not to have any cultural differences or issues when you marry outside of your culture.

So by just saying live simply doesn't really address the core issues that many people face.

Since 50% of all marriages end in divorce, culturally mixed marriages have an even higher rate of divorce being accurate and building a discussion that allows people to help each other would have been more productive.

Sorry again for my misunderstanding and judgement.

My opening post was terrible. Thanks for your contribution.

Just not caring anymore to the point you are just happy with any "Thaiwife" and starting a family isn't my idea of something to emulate.

&lt;deleted&gt;..

simple is that because simple minds simple people or just could not be bothered dont sound

to exciting life to me but then again is mine any better

Sipi:

Can you understand this? No? Well now you know how I felt reading some of your earlier posts. Sometimes being simple isn't better.

Yes I agree. Why not complicate the crap out of everything? I appreciate where you come from Gecko.

PS. My name is Phil. And that is between you and I. (and 3000 others) LOL

I vaguely remember as a kid watching the "hammock scenes" on "Gilligans Island", from the safety of Mum and Dads vinyl sofa; and thinking "What is the attraction of swinging on a few pieces of string?"

I now place the humble hammock amongst the greatest inventions of all time; Along with the wheel, the space shuttle, and gravity....

The way Thais configure a hammock to sway new-borns to sleep just amazes me; with the towel suspended on a piece of string acting as a ventilation valve.

Then the baby evolves into an infant. So the hammock becomes the prefect swing.

During the teenage years the hammock becomes a social gathering point. Swing and text away.

As an older person, swinging in a hammock for me is as good as a full body massage.

We now have a hammock suspended from every possible vantage point on our house block. And they are there for all to enjoy.