webfact Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 OPINION When Farangs Go Native By Tuptim Malakul Lane Na Ayutthaya Original images: My Mate Nate / YouTube, Matt Dodd / Flickr, Christy Gibson / Instagram, Em Brain Dead Tattoo / Facebook “When in Rome … ” begins the truism about how to behave in foreign lands. We’ve all heard and understood this. It makes sense. When visiting another place, one will fit in and be loved by embracing the customs of those living there. But what may start as an endearing and commendable effort – learning some language, meeting some social expectations – can become annoying to the very natives whose approval is sought. Behind one’s back, the whispers begin: You’ve gone native. Full story: http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2018/01/31/farangs-go-native/ -- © Copyright Khaosod English 2018-01-31 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post CelticBhoy Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 When you hear "farang kee-nok" then you know you've gone too far . . . . 7 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post isaanbanhou Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 i guess i look like a poser for enjoying somtam, especially corn somtam. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PatOngo Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 6 minutes ago, webfact said: You’ve gone native. In time, will they become self bashers? 4 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhys Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 with Dee hanks like MMN.... of course.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post PatOngo Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 3 minutes ago, Rhys said: with Dee hanks like MMN.... of course.. Translation please! 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ratcatcher Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 7 minutes ago, Rhys said: with Dee hanks like MMN.... of course.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kotsak Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 Too paraphrase it, When in Rome, do the Romans.. 5 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Misterwhisper Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 I cannot even begin to describe how much I cringe when I see foreigners waiing everyone from supermarket cashiers to restaurant waiters, fish mongers in the wet market to go-go dancers, totally convinced that staying in the kingdom for a couple of months has made them "native" and that they're doing the right thing. Even worse are those fellas I occasionally bump into at a bar, those who think they have matured into genuine "Thailand experts" by spending two short vacations here and who feel compelled to start lecturing me about the Thai way of life, what to do and what not to do and who brag about their fantastic Thai-language skills (usually consisting of a few disjointed and wrongly pronounced words), and who are entirely ignorant of the fact that I've been living here for well over a quarter of a century, speak the local language almost fluently, and yes, know when, how and whom to wai. Brrrrr... shudder. 41 6 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ben2talk Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 2 minutes ago, kotsak said: Too paraphrase it, When in Rome, do the Romans.. We all know about Romans and little boys... I'd definitely apply the rule if I started a business here - treat them mean and pay them lean. I've seen how much work they're prepared to do for 200 baht... 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4MyEgo Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 I live by some simple rules that I was taught early in life: The first one that comes to light is: Watch your back !!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post ratcatcher Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 11 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said: I live by some simple rules that I was taught early in life: The first one that comes to light is: Watch your back !!! I hope that's not you urinating in an alley. 5 1 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Boon Mee Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 1 hour ago, CelticBhoy said: When you hear "farang kee-nok" then you know you've gone too far . . . . And if the Farang is bald, then you might hear "Hua laan kee jai noi" 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post kurtmartens Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 46 minutes ago, Misterwhisper said: I cannot even begin to describe how much I cringe when I see foreigners waiing everyone from supermarket cashiers to restaurant waiters, fish mongers in the wet market to go-go dancers, totally convinced that staying in the kingdom for a couple of months has made them "native" and that they're doing the right thing. So very very true. I even had to stop my mom when she was visiting from waiing the cashier at Big C. 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post DM07 Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 There is nothing wrong with accepting certain trades and being generally a nice person. What I hate are the Thai'er -than- Thai, who will blindly find excuses for every $4!tty behavior. An a-hole is an a-hole, no matter Thai, farang or Thai'er-than-Thai and despicable behavior does not become "better" because it is a local way of life! 10 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toughlove Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 In time, will they become self bashers?LMAO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johng Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 When you hear "farang kee-nok" then you know you've gone too far . . . . [emoji2]My wife often calls me "farang kee-nokI agree and the call her " khon Thai grajock" we both then laugh. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post klauskunkel Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 I have yet to see a farang with ya dom dangling from one nostril... Well, there's your challenge, then. 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curtklay Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 So what is a foreigner supposed to do when receiving a wai from a store clerk or some other "junior"? Wai back, ignore them, or flip them the bird? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post chezy86 Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 Great topic to bring out the “I’m Thaier than you brigade”. Who cares all I see is people trying to enjoy themselves and fit in with local customs. Live and let live. 14 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hamuraii Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 Why I larp as a blind person in Bangkok. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post dick dasterdly Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 33 minutes ago, kurtmartens said: So very very true. I even had to stop my mom when she was visiting from waiing the cashier at Big C. Of course, I'm sure the vast majority of us here as tourists automatically made our best attempt at a wai, when receiving a wai! It's called 'being polite' - when unaware of the countries' culture and customs. 8 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post johng Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 So what is a foreigner supposed to do when receiving a wai from a store clerk or some other "junior"? Wai back, ignore them, or flip them the bird?Give them a big smile and nod of the head in acknowledgement. 15 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 4MyEgo Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 1 hour ago, ratcatcher said: I hope that's not you urinating in an alley. Close, was actually getting smoked.... 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Thian Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 Maybe those thaier than thai farangs don't know that not all thai like the way things go in their country. My wife had so much fun when she saw a farang being angry at the staff of the Toyota garage....he was yelling about what all went wrong there and that it was too expensive...(it's a very big toyota dealer). The staff called assistance and 6 of them were trying to explain it to him since none of them could speak english. My wife was sitting there and kept her mouth shut and was also angry with the bad service she got but she didn't dare to mention it. So she was happy that the farang told them the truth and even more because they all looked so stupid for not being able to speak english. She didn't want to be the translator so they would understand how important it is to speak english and to not cheat a farang (or his wife). 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Enoon Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) 41 minutes ago, curtklay said: So what is a foreigner supposed to do when receiving a wai from a store clerk or some other "junior"? Wai back, ignore them, or flip them the bird? To a minion a slight dip of the head, "thankyou" (Thai is great, but English will be fine) and a smile will suffice perfectly well. Edited January 31, 2018 by Enoon 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MaeJoMTB Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 2 hours ago, Misterwhisper said: I cannot even begin to describe how much I cringe when I see foreigners waiing everyone from supermarket cashiers to restaurant waiters, fish mongers in the wet market to go-go dancers, totally convinced that staying in the kingdom for a couple of months has made them "native" and that they're doing the right thing. Even worse are those fellas I occasionally bump into at a bar, those who think they have matured into genuine "Thailand experts" by spending two short vacations here and who feel compelled to start lecturing me about the Thai way of life, what to do and what not to do and who brag about their fantastic Thai-language skills (usually consisting of a few disjointed and wrongly pronounced words), and who are entirely ignorant of the fact that I've been living here for well over a quarter of a century, speak the local language almost fluently, and yes, know when, how and whom to wai. Brrrrr... shudder. What about the twits wearing 'white' Buddha clothes (usually a bit grubby) on any day of the week. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orton Rd Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 But the Romans crucified people, fed them to the Lions and killed unwanted babies on the tarpien rock, hardly great role models and one of the most stupid sayings in the English language 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MaeJoMTB Posted January 31, 2018 Popular Post Share Posted January 31, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, johng said: My wife often calls me "farang kee-nok I agree and the call her " khon Thai grajock" we both then laugh. You are being polite by adding 'khon', she is being rude by not offering the correct honorific. Try "eee dam dam' as a more suitable (and equally rude) response. See if she's still laughing. Edited January 31, 2018 by MaeJoMTB 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jvs Posted January 31, 2018 Share Posted January 31, 2018 I always smile when i hear a farang calling himself khun(name). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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