Mark1969

You're right, it's not common here at all. 🫡

Disgusting. Papers, please. Glad I missed that one.

The quote may refer to turning bad customers into good ones. A lost art these days. A frustrated customer who is appeased is worth much more then a single satisfied customer, because they tell all their friends. They are worth a lot in free advertising, because it becomes a recommendation and not a cold call. That's why a lot of places like Amazon and Costco give no questions asked refunds. It's not just to be nice or avoid problems.

That may be the case. Thailand may attract guys who like being serviced. So when I go anywhere people act like I want that also and respond that way. Then when I don't want them around I get the confused look and hovering. Foreigner over there, better rush over and explain every little thing before they cause a scene!

How patient are you? To you decide what you want right away and go on a recommendation from whomever is serving you, or are you more inclined to sit reading the entire menu before ordering or taking your time browsing in shops, etc?

I don't mind that so much, though it makes me feel rushed to order. It's when they get handsy that really bothers me. Touching stuff on the table, grabbing menu's, or insisting I look at something they want me to look at to order, stuff like that. I don't need someone ordering my food of an english menu I can read. I can do that on my own... I take my time with things. Some of it may be the impatience of Thai's in general. They want an order or decision right away and don't like to wait. So when I'm considering things they get impatient, approach and try to force a decision.

I'm not interested in integrating into Thai society. I guess it's possible to get everything delivered or done for you by paying more like you say. It's just an odd way to live.

If I did not need something I would just walk away, or not stop at all. That often does not work. They just stand there hovering. You can't really make someone get lost when you need something they offer. It has happened to you, all the time. Be honest.

I find that hard to believe.

Why were you in that area? I very rarely went that side of the Ping River. Maybe went to that mall only once in 10 years.

Where were you Central Airport, Central Festival or Maya? It must have gotten worse since I left. Some of it is the safety factor. Chinese really want to feel safe. They like that enclosed setting probably because it's well lit. I think it's also a status thing, like saying I can afford to buy top brands here and not eat street food, etc.

Last time I talked to someone who visited China they said it's all about plastic tables and those sterile environments now. It's also about where other people go and congregate. I was thinking of visiting China several years back and asked them about those tea gardens, curved wood bridges, koi, some guy with a long white beard in a feng shui garden raking sand, etc. They said that's pretty rare these days unless you are very wealthy.

We can wonder why people do things. There is no rule about not having an opinion or talking about it. Eating only your home country food in a foreign country can look odd and some people may wonder why they are here if cultural difference is not their cup of tea.

I'm not into some guy hovering over me as I workout either. I guess some guys like it though 😅 What I really like are those outdoor gym's like in Lumphini Park or in local Thai neighborhoods. Nobody bothering you there or acting all pretty. No a/c though (they use what's called a fan). Equipment also can be outdated and dangerous.

Hate to hit you with the neighbor story again, but... One of my old buddies who was a neighbor ate exclusively at foreigner oriented places. Never stepped foot in the local food market nearby which I ate at everyday. It looks weird, but the people who do that are some of the happiest people around strangely. They don't get involved in Thai stuff and are able to act like they do back home and maintain that attitude. They don't get irritated by cultural hassles, etc. Maintaining a back home food program effects your attitude and emotional state a lot. He was not here to really experience Thailand though, but was working taking photo's, etc. He also sat in his room with the a/c on and liked red wine here of all things (very expensive import). He also ended up trying a prostitute because that's the only way he could get laid here. He tried his pilates instructor (who was a foreigner) but she refused after he got all horny stretching with her on the balcony.

I just read some of the reviews and it appears that those guys waiting in the lobby were actually personal trainers waiting to approach people just as they entered, and maybe not gay. They work freelance.

That's the one I walked past... They were all standing around in the lobby watching for people coming in...

Do you get the feeling that most of the younger fit Thai guys in, for example, a modern gym in Pattaya or Bangkok are gay? I can't shake the feeling, but maybe it's just them acting different then someone would in the USA.

Being served last would suck, I'm there waiting. That's the problem is you have to be served at most places so it's not avoidable. The only solution would be self-checkout, but I don't think Thai's like it much. I usually do things non-verbally, either backing away or creating space, which seems pretty obvious to me that I'm not interested in any help, though I am interested in the product. The times I have verbally told someone I don't need assistance they seemed to get it, but they continue standing there staring looking slighted. Maybe I'm doing it wrong.

I would be celebrating 🤣

There's something I don't like about Thai gym's. I just use mine at the condo because it's usually empty. I walked by one of those modern gym's in Pattaya the other day and a bunch of younger Thai guys all turned around and glared at me when I looked in to check it out. I did not even go inside. It reminded me of cliquey stuff in high school. I also think a lot of them are gay.

It could also be a "do it my way" thing. Perhaps they are uncomfortable with a foreigner taking the initiative and doing things themselves. What that translates into is them not being needed as much and not getting paid in a wider context. There is probably more to it then simply helping out a foreigner they don't know with such small trivial matters.

I get that feeling. I have always liked doing my own laundry though. I also clean my own living space. I don't like sitting around and having every little thing done for me, being driven around everywhere and being constantly catered to. I feel like it makes a person soft and weak.

56. I used to bike mountains though. Now it's kind of just "the gym". So I can see it slowing down. Most of the guys I'm referring to are probably about 8 years older then me. I can see not wanting to hit the gym much in another 8 years. More just a pool waddle for some circulation, maybe some stretching.

It's not really service. It's a demeaning coddling. Similar to what one would do with a baby or child. 😅