When Farangs Go Native

[webfact]

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

[CelticBhoy]

When you hear "farang kee-nok" then you know you've gone too far  . . . . 

[isaanbanhou]

i guess i look like a poser for enjoying somtam, especially corn somtam.

[PatOngo]

6 minutes ago, webfact said:

You’ve gone native.

In time, will they become self bashers?

[Rhys]

 with Dee hanks like MMN.... of course..

[PatOngo]

3 minutes ago, Rhys said:

 with Dee hanks like MMN.... of course..

Translation please!

[ratcatcher]

7 minutes ago, Rhys said:

 with Dee hanks like MMN.... of course..

[kotsak]

Too paraphrase it, When in Rome, do the Romans..

[Misterwhisper]

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.

[ben2talk]

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...

[4MyEgo]

I live by some simple rules that I was taught early in life:

 

The first one that comes to light is:

 

Watch your back !!!

 

 

[ratcatcher]

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.

[Boon Mee]

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" 

[kurtmartens]

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.  

[DM07]

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!

[toughlove]

In time, will they become self bashers?

LMAO

[johng]

When you hear "farang kee-nok" then you know you've gone too far  . . . . [emoji2]

My wife often calls me "farang kee-nok
I agree and the call her " khon Thai grajock" we both then laugh.

[klauskunkel]

I have yet to see a farang with ya dom dangling from one nostril...

Well, there's your challenge, then.

[curtklay]

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?

[chezy86]

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.

[Hamuraii]

Why I larp as a blind person in Bangkok.

[dick dasterdly]

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.

[johng]

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.

[4MyEgo]

1 hour ago, ratcatcher said:

I hope that's not you urinating in an alley.

Close, was actually getting smoked....

[Thian]

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).

 

 

[Enoon]

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.

 

 

 

 

 

[MaeJoMTB]

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.

[Orton Rd]

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

[MaeJoMTB]

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.

[jvs]

I always smile when i hear a farang calling himself khun(name).