Enaka

Before starting this thread, I discussed that with the original owner (by email). As "dddave" pointed out above, many blogs are/were similar to "Reader's Subs". Many of the old ones are gone now, but a simple search shows there are still some survivors.

SUCCESS ! Yes, lots. Most for tourists, and most out-of-date, but, still, I can already see some yellow sparkles in the gravel. Instead of Google, I used search engines Mojeek and Quant. I'm not sure, but I think far less PC censoring with those. Again, dddave, thank you. .

Excellent idea. I'll do that now. Thank you, dddave.

Thanks, dddave, for suggestions. But all three are forums, not articles. If any thoughtful articles there, I did not find them. Still looking.

Thank you, mstevens, for posting your thoughts. Good to know your perspective. Yes, many people want only short. But some topics take more than a Twit-length comment to explain. I follow many web sites with articles that are thoughtful and thorough ... and long. I even buy and read books which are long. But none of those are about current expat life in Thailand. So I'm still looking. If anyone knows of anything like "Son of Reader's Submissions" I hope you will contact me (either on this thread or by private message). Thank you.

Does anybody know of a web site with personal stories written by farang in Thailand that is active now (late 2021)? We used to have a web site with a big section of “Reader’s Submissions”. It was very popular, with several new stories every week. But nothing new there for about a year. Some of the old stories are still good reading, but definitely out of date in the current situation. I always enjoyed those stories, so I searched for any current web site with something like that. Is there anything now like, "Son of Reader's Submissions"? Thank you. . (Note: To avoid violating any rules here about posting links, probably best to use only "search terms", or just send a private message with the URL.)

It's been fun, but I'm leaving now. On almost all topics, on all forums, when number of posts fills two pages, the hijackers pile on. As they are starting to do here. Well-meaning, some, sure, but hijackers nevertheless. And, over many years of observing public postings, once the hijackings start, there is no rescue. All one can do is leave the thread. Anyone who wants to contact me knows how. Now, please excuse me, I have a phone call with someone who already has made contact. To those who've helped on this topic, thank you.

Okay, then, how about you start a thread, "Going to bars for a laugh." This topic is "Elderly Expats Conversations". Laughs always very welcome, but not the focus here. Usually postings on public forums (all of them), deteriorate into topic high-jackings (like that from soalbundy above). I'm trying to keep it on topic. A lot of readers won't like that -- they seem to actually prefer chaos. And that's one reason I'm looking for private conversations on a specific topic (in this case: elderly expat living).

The goal here is not just to volunteer somewhere and meet anybody. The goal here is how to get acquainted with older expats, specifically, who are un-likely to volunteer or go to meetings or spend time in computer chat rooms.

What has been your experience actually meeting and talking with other seasoned expats at restaurants? Mine has been terrible. Most act as if anything is better than talking with another expat whom they don't know already. (Only exception to that was a group of Jehovah's Witnesses one time in Chiang Mai. They were eager to talk, so very eager.) Same here. But I see it as an advantage -- never, ever, not even once, have I had a worthwhile conversation in a bar. Same here. And I see that as an advantage, too -- I have nothing in common with those who do go out for the "night life".

Allanos - Galong - So where/how do you meet other expats in your age range?

Report on this thread so far. Started just over 24 hours ago. One practical suggestion to contact other posters here, to begin conversations. Anyone else here ever tried that? I have; many, many, times. All the replies I got amounted to, “Thanks. Cheers.” That’s it. Another practical suggestion to go to meetings of organized groups. Lots of people go to meetings of all kinds – Meetups, hobby groups, church. Useful, certainly, if you like the kind of people who like to go to meetings. And the usual bizz-takers appeared, of course. Though not many so far. And the usual high-jackers who didn’t understand the OP, but posted anyway. But, so far, not a single, positive, useful, reply. Not one! What would be a positive and useful reply? A private message, of course. Saying something like this: So far, nothing like that. "Jai-yen-yen, na" .

rwill, you are absolutely right about translation. But, like xyl's post above, you missed the point of this thread. I respectfully suggest reading again the opening post. The goal of this topic is clearly stated, twice:

Added comment: Benmart, I envy you. And I see you are in Pattaya. Lots of elderly expats there. Not like Bangkok. Over the years, I've tried five different gyms here. 99% youngsters. Opportunities at gyms to get acquainted with other expats in my age range have been zilch! (Except for one old guy who wanted to tell me about his gout.) Maybe I should I move to Pattaya and join a gym there.

Excellent! And two benefits in one: exercise and conversations. Thank you, Benmart.

Nice post, Xyl. Helpful. But, you totally missed the point of the thread, as stated twice in the opening post. It is NOT the goal on this thread to talk about computer screens and gout and such.

I cured gout using natural methods; no doctor medicine. Might be useful to others to know where to read about that. Sure, could post on forums like this one, and certainly would get replies, but personal conversations add a different point of view that never seems to come out on "public" media. But, Thujone, I agree with you, listening to complainers is boring. And among old expats we have are plenty of complainers. Growing old is difficult. Living in a foreign country can be difficult. If old expats help each other, will make life better.

Thanks, Seedy. (and I've attended several of their meetings in Chiang Mai in years past) And thank you, too, for that link to other groups all over Thailand. Meetings -- formally organized groups -- attract a certain type of personality. Yes, can be one way to meet new friends.

"Meetup". I've been to several (one example: Thai language learners). But have you noticed that meetings (of all kinds) attract a certain kind of people. Most younger adults, who like to get out-and-about a lot. Or those focused on just one, narrow topic. Can be useful, sure, but not what I'm asking about on this thread. I've learned the best conversations are never in meetings of any kind. Just 2-3-4 people talking quietly. Maybe coffee shop. Maybe walking through the park. Maybe while grilling a couple of steaks on the BBQ. Not meetings. I appreciate your thoughts, Will. You're helping me to clarify my own thinking. You'd probably be a good person for conversations like this.

I live in Bangkok. Expat group here?????? Or, Seedy, this question: Is there an expat group where you live? If so, how did you find it?

. Good thought; thanks, Will. I'm also aiming at expats who don't post here -- just read. And expats who don't even read any forums, but prefer to chat in person or on the phone. Staring at a computer is not so easy for old eyes. Typing is also difficult. Bar-stools and "clubs" and even "go to church" are no longer easy options. So I'm looking for new ones. Some of my most enjoyable conversations have been when I go to meet other expats for coffee. Cover a lot of topics about life here. Have some good laughs, too.

. Elderly expats have very different lives than younger expats. On public forums (like this) we rarely see reference to age; sometimes but not often. I’m old (70+). Wanting to find conversations with other elderly expats. How and where? Getting old in one’s home country is difficult enough. In a foreign country, much more difficult, with foreign language and very different ways of doing things. At the age when brain and body are becoming less able to handle differences. Would be very helpful to find other old expats for conversation about these topics. Here are some topics on my mind. Not looking for specific answers here. Am looking for how and where to find conversations on topics like these: Body shape changes with age. Old clothes don’t fit comfortably. Even shoes. New clothes sold in stores are designed for younger bodies. I’ve found one clothing store that has a good variety of easy-fitting clothes. Are there others? And shoes, too. Now that the country has “opened up”, would be nice to “go for fun”. Mountains; beach; maybe a dinner cruise on the river in Bangkok. But how does an old man travel when he has to pee frequently. And when you gotta go, you gotta go right now! Laugh if you want, but that condition has kept me at home more than I want. As one gets up in years, having helpers becomes essential. My maid comes in once a week, does the laundry. But one week recently she went up-country so laundry up to me. I was surprised at how difficult (how heavy) it was to move wet towels and a blanket from the wash tub to spin-dry tub. Loss of muscle is a well-known factor in ageing. I’ve had good success finding maids and a cook – part-time. But if one should stop working for me, how to find replacement? In a low-trust culture, finding trust-worthy helpers is not easy. I’m particularly pleased about finding the cook. I send her recipes from the Internet – in English – with pictures. She does the shopping, makes the food, delivers to me. (She lives nearby). 3, 4, 5 portions to put in the freezer. Good quality, clean and fresh ingredients; mostly organic. And specifically NO MSG. Makes life better for an old man. Doctors & hospitals I don’t trust at all anymore. But certainly, in the future, will need some kind of doctoring. Where and how to find a nearby doctor or small clinic that I can depend on? Or, even better, a doctor who will make house calls. Delivery services are a boon for elderly. Here, delivery of almost everything is available to almost everywhere in the country. Wagyu rib-eye steaks – an essential food group in my opinion. Heavy box of printer paper for my computer. Potted plants for condo balcony. Fresh made vegetable juice (carrot, celery, beet mix is my favorite). And recently I discovered that Singha will deliver drinking water. Wondering what are other delivery services helpful to elderly expats. But deliveries presume shop on-line. Some shopping websites here have no English or very little English. One example of an excellent web store with almost no English is Global House. So I’ve been testing translator software. Over age 70, medical insurance is extremely expensive. Or maybe impossible with “pre-existing” conditions. So, instead of insurance, I’ve been learning about -- and taking – mega-doses of vitamins and food supplements. Results have been surprisingly positive for my health (so far). Happy to discuss with other elderly expats. As you can see, these are not simple, question-answer topics. Question-answer topics can be posted on forums like this. Instead, I’m asking how and where to find on-going conversations with other elderly expats. Wanting continuing conversations, not just comments on examples above. Thoughts and suggestions appreciated, either posted here or in private messages. Thank you.