Why do some expats turn Thai in Thailand?

By Dan Cheeseman

 

 

When you live abroad you need to respect local customs and cultures, it is just good manners and ensures you have a more pleasant experience. Some expats however take it to a whole new level and actually start to behave like Thais and ‘go native’.

 

Too me it’s odd. We are not talking about respect, this goes beyond that; we are talking about a behavioural shift from who they were into a totally different person. There are many factors a play and my vlog takes a look into the strange phenomena from when expats go native.

 

 

Full story: https://danaboutthailand.com/2018/03/03/expats-go-native-thailand/

Dan, with the thoughts, writing down what you want to say, then the filming, I think it is best to pay attention to the background noise when filming. While you were seriously presenting your question of "why expats want to give up their national identity", I was distracted with traffic noise, clammer of dishes, someones phone ringing, and a cry of a baby as you were talking into the camera.  Just an observation.

 

Cheers,

"siam-bill"

Quote

 

 

Because they're absolute melts generally

C'mon folks! We can beat 47 pages on this topic.

In general it seems that I disagree with him,  that people redefining themselves by picking up local customs and perspective is fine (or not; up to them).  It would help to have more examples to clarify what he sees as part of this Western identity he wants to hang onto.  He mentions going to beach alone versus in a group, or doing things in groups in general, and eating sitting on the floor.  Some Westerners really are into groups too, even if that does work on a different level.  He's rejecting integrating in general, adopting a lot of the local practices versus making it a point not to, but I don't see any problem with it, or with those examples.  It's just not his preference, although again he'd need to list out what it's ok to take and leave, for him, or it's just a bit vague.

A better question is why do some Farang in Thailand Not learn the language and understand the culture? 

What debate, if people want to adapt to local ways, then up to them. 

1 hour ago, toenail said:

Dan, with the thoughts, writing down what you want to say, then the filming, I think it is best to pay attention to the background noise when filming. While you were seriously presenting your question of "why expats want to give up their national identity", I was distracted with traffic noise, clammer of dishes, someones phone ringing, and a cry of a baby as you were talking into the camera.  Just an observation.

 

Cheers,

"siam-bill"

 

i did profession film and television production and post production for 40 years and microphone placement is extremely important. I noticed how bad the sound was on the last video. Dan please invest in a microphone that you clip to your shirt or just hold it in your hand.

 

1.38 and he's still waffling on and saying nothing. boring.

 

some people must have incredibly dull lives to spend their days watching such characters on youtube.

10 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

A better question is why do some Farang in Thailand Not learn the language and understand the culture? 

Cos I don't want too...

dan needs to find another line of work

just guessing, but it would probably help to smoke cannabis

to stay interested in topics like " what does hua hin falangs think of pattaya falangs ?"

& "what can we bitch about falangs that pick up on stuff the thais do ?"

 

a more useful contribution about the thai way of things is:

fill a plate with water, place a glass in the middle of that plate,

and finally, place any food on top of that glass.

the food is now protected from the never-ending ants

54 minutes ago, Boon Mee said:

A better question is why do some Farang in Thailand Not learn the language and understand the culture? 

Its hard to dumb down, become a bully and believe that I am a god among peasants.

And I dont feel the need to have my fingers up my nose

I also cant give up my style in favor of crass colors, the ability to choose crap products and feel that after caveman days that sitting at a table instead of with the dogs is a sign of civility and cultural progress

8 minutes ago, punchjudy said:

dan needs to find another line of work

 

He makes a pretty good case for euthanasia for Thailand Vlogers.

 

Cheeseman by name Cheeseman by nature.

I am an individual. I respect others for their individuality... cannot generalise when it comes to people!!!

1 hour ago, Boon Mee said:

A better question is why do some Farang in Thailand Not learn the language and understand the culture? 

To what degree though? I understand it very well and actually abhor many aspects of it, yet as it is their country simply roll my eyes and not take it upon myself to tell them how backwards it appears (unless of course asked).

As for language, i am not fluent but i can do almost any basic daily exchange in Thai, and generally take care of important stuff independently.

 

So do please enlighten us on why it's so important to be a Thai cultural guru and a master of the language, as it seems certain that is what you are implying expats should be

Kind of an odd position in my mind. Why go to another country with a different culture and essentially reject that culture?
Sounds like Dan would be happier if he stayed at home.

Dan it seems that you are a city dweller, with typical city dweller attitudes.

I live in a village and find it more beneficial to integrate

than to separate.....i feel i get more respect from the locals

by doing so.

 

 

 

Have a Nice Day.

1 hour ago, poanoi said:

just guessing, but it would probably help to smoke cannabis

to stay interested in topics like " what does hua hin falangs think of pattaya falangs ?"

& "what can we bitch about falangs that pick up on stuff the thais do ?"

 

a more useful contribution about the thai way of things is:

fill a plate with water, place a glass in the middle of that plate,

and finally, place any food on top of that glass.

the food is now protected from the never-ending ants

You wouldn't be able to get much food on top of a glass and that small amount of food could be got at by flying ants?

1 hour ago, wirat69 said:

I am an individual. I respect others for their individuality... cannot generalise when it comes to people!!!

 

 

I dunno, seems to me that vlogging about non-issues is kinda going native.

Why doesn't this guy do something useful, like teach English?

Dan:

Sorry, but I think this picture shows you have a few things to learn about 'foreigners who go native.'

 

LOL. Short sleeved shirt, white shorts, white sneakers, the over-the-shoulder man purse, the one-handed grip on the bucket (ignoring the twine shoulder harness), no face mask or gloves for sun protection, and sowing seeds on large clods of soil with tufts of still unwilted grass are all clues that the person in the photo isn't really a farmer. Might fool guys in Pattaya, but not those of us out in the countryside.

 

I think your video completely misunderstands the psychological motivation behind why people adopt local ways. It almost never has anything to do with some supposed slavish need to 'fit in' or from insecurity. Mostly its just the most pragmatic course of least resistance. Yes, you can import your clothes, footwear, furniture, household goods and fixtures, and eat mostly imported food, but it's a lot cheaper and more convenient in most cases to buy what's available locally. By just doing this, pretty soon you're dressing, furnishing your home, and feeding yourself in a way much the same as those around you.

 

Learning the language in most cases is driven mostly by a desire to understand and communicate with people around you, and to learn from the local culture. Some people enjoy learning foreign languages; it gives them a sense of accomplishment. It makes them feel more secure knowing that they can communicate with the people around them. In many parts of Thailand, English speakers (whether native or non-native) are so scarce, that if you refuse to learn Thai, you'll be speaking to very few people or only having very rudimentary conversations. Labelling someone as insecure for learning the language ignores the personal growth benefits which comes from learning a new language and about a new culture, which is a totally normal process of acculturation. Failing or refusing to engage in this process is what deserves scrutiny by psychologists and therapists, not people who might take it to an extreme. I won't even bring up the well-documented brain health benefits of studying a new language.

 

The stereotype of a foreign guy with amulets around his neck, Sanskrit tattoos on his back, and wearing fisherman's pants and flipflops?  Do you really see guys fitting that caricature very often?  If there are foreign guys out there practicing animism or who have become experts on catching crickets, frogs, and field crabs or harvesting palm sugar or rubber sap, I say more power to them. Thailand needs more people like that. I'll take them any day of the week over guys who refuse to wai anyone, or make faces at the sight of plaa raa or a chicken foot floating in kanom jin sauce.

 

 

2 hours ago, transam said:

Cos I don't want too...

Neither do I Trans, whether I am here or in the UK. I will do what I want as long as I don't harm anyone else. If I don't agree with anyones, and I mean anyones, laws; rules, or customs, then I will not obey them if I think I will get away with it.

I will respect and go along with Thai culture as long as it is harmless, as I chose to live in this country. The most important thing is genuine common sense.

Ha, some guys are really 'funny' about this. Several years ago I was eating the evening meal with my (then) Thai wife and her family. Another family had joined us among them a chap from Manchester, England. During our conversation he said '....now that I live in Thailand, I only eat Thai food...'. My reply went something like 'Why is that? Did you only eat English food when you were in England?'. Oh boy, if looks could kill I would have been dead on the spot. He got up and without a word sat somewhere else. I never saw him again, Ha!

Yawn.

What a load of claptrap. Call me old fashioned, call me a Luddite, but I have no interest whatsoever in a "lifestyle vlogger". Whatever that means. From any part of the whole world.

Now - show me some You Tube vids on machine tools and vintage motorcycles and i'm hooked...

I seem to recollect he's MD of Thai Visa and a bunch of other "important" occupations. Selling his "work ethic/lifestyle" thingey on this very form news page. Only $70....

I switched off after 20 annoying seconds. Not for me. Boring drivel. First one I've watched. Certainly the last.

Oh, and I've never been a "follower" either, Dan.... but I do speak the lingo.....

Sorry Dan. I don't agree with you.

You seem to be building a wall between what is an expat, and what is a native.

Maybe you need to live here a bit longer, learn the language and culture a bit more.

And develop from what you were when you came here to what you are today.....

No 'clamour' at all.

3 hours ago, samsensam said:

 

1.38 and he's still waffling on and saying nothing. boring.

 

some people must have incredibly dull lives to spend their days watching such characters on youtube.

.....nobody played with him in the Kindergarten.......

30 minutes ago, TKDfella said:

Ha, some guys are really 'funny' about this. Several years ago I was eating the evening meal with my (then) Thai wife and her family. Another family had joined us among them a chap from Manchester, England. During our conversation he said '....now that I live in Thailand, I only eat Thai food...'. My reply went something like 'Why is that? Did you only eat English food when you were in England?'. Oh boy, if looks could kill I would have been dead on the spot. He got up and without a word sat somewhere else. I never saw him again, Ha!

 

Of course he didn't eat only English food when in England, because no human being would ever survive on that.

They are insignificant trash in their own countries, and want to pretend that they are somehow something more here.