kwilco

I think you underline the road safety and the lack of cultural knowledge paradoxes here. PS - what is a "load of <deleted>e member"? - I've neever seen a reply rthough, perhpas you'd like to show a reference address?

I think it's becuase people don't understand what a paradox is and reduce the piece to either agreeing or disagreeing which is not the aim of a paradox. It is to take another look or engage in reviewing or summing up the situation - nobody seems to do this, they are too keen to say "THat's not me" - which shows a complete misunderstanding of the OP whilst still demonstrating the paradox.

looks like I"ve touched a nerve and you are performing as expected.

so you're just introducing a few sub-catagories to the paradox? Are you including or excluding yourself?

With respect, saying that this isn’t relevant to me is actually part of the paradox. The original post wasn’t claiming every expat fits the stereotype — it was highlighting a pattern that exists within the larger population. And ironically, one of the key behaviours it describes is this exact reaction: distancing oneself from criticism while insisting the issue doesn’t apply — even as it unfolds in real time. There are tens of thousands of expats in Thailand, yes. But pretending that hypocrisy, entitlement, or superiority complexes don’t exist just because you personally don’t see yourself that way… is exactly why the term paradox fits so well.

PS - mostly you are ASSUMING these paradoxes apply to men

ah.....that explains what the government is doing....feathering their own nests. Certainly isn't based on any sociological or scientific research.

I'm talking about the paradox not the gender. Citing exceptions in no way negates the argument - I think we all know that expats are not a uniform group - however if you look at the replies on this thread it tells you quite a lot about gender and education of many of them. Yes almost all the replies are male....and misogynistic.

A another paradox is they love to talk about how much they know about Thailand but when they see themselves they turn into "grunters" = and lose all power of speech

Adolf Eichmann could read and write Hebrew fluently.

don't think you can read - so all 3 of those points fall to you BUT there is a point I overlooked Many expats show little interest in Thai language, culture, or politics — yet speak with total authority on all three. Often with limited education themselves, they still carry a sense of superiority over Thais who are, in many cases, far more educated and informed than they are. Criticism isn’t an attack — it’s a mirror.

It's the "Expat Paradox" and it seems to have worked as such and hit a few nerves. I guess it's not surprising —despite the fact it's meant to show a paradox, when people feel personally attacked by a general observation, it often means it struck a little too close to home. This wasn’t about individuals, but behaviours that deserve scrutiny. If pointing out hypocrisy, entitlement, or lack of integration feels threatening, maybe it’s not the post that’s the problem. Criticism isn’t hatred. It’s just a mirror a paradox .... what you see in it is up to you.

oh dear, a classic expat defence mechanism: ignore the argument, invent a (wildly inaccurate and spruious - based on yourself?) backstory, and diagnose someone else's mental state — all before breakfast. If a post pointing out hypocrisy gets you this rattled, maybe it wasn’t shade. Maybe it was a mirror. THis is the whole point of a "paradox"! And if the best you can do is label every criticism as “trolling,” it says a lot about the limits of your worldview — and possibly your whisky tolerance. I’m not here to tear anyone down. I’m here to call out double standards that deserve scrutiny. If that makes you uncomfortable… maybe ask yourself why.

do you not understand the premise?? - "An Appraisal of Westerners in Thailand" - if you take it personally, it's down to you.

Ah - The "I can't be racist I married one " paradox...... “I can’t be racist — I married one. Mock Thai culture, stereotype locals, refuse to learn the language etc. etc. but think marrying a Thai woman gives them a free pass. It’s not understanding. - It’s entitlement. Proximity to someone doesn’t cancel prejudice —it often just hides it behind a smile. to be accompanied by the "cashier" cliche?