Is it fair to tag someone a Cheap Charlie?

By Dan Cheeseman

 

 

If you are new to Thailand let me explain the term ‘Cheap Charlie’. It is used by Thais to describe someone, usually foreign, who is perceived as tight or cheap when it comes to spending their money. In fact the Thai term is a lot more crude ‘Kee Neo’ – which directly translates as ‘Sticky Shit’.

 

For many years I have just taken onboard the term with little thought to it’s implication. In fact bar girls throw the comment around freely if a customer in the bar refuses to buy them a drink – really, it beggars belief. It is actually very offensive.

 

I was talking with an expat friend and he first flagged to me the fact that the term ‘Cheap Charlie’ was offensive and I must say his reasons why resonated with me.

 

In the UK supermarkets are continuously cutting their margins as shoppers are looking for the best prices. It is beyond comprehension that these shoppers would ever be called ‘Cheap Charlies’, in fact it is smart shopping habits. After all why pay more for the very same item you can get cheaper elsewhere?

 

Full story: https://danaboutthailand.com/2019/01/02/is-it-fair-to-tag-someone-a-cheap-charlie/

 

-- DAN ABOUT THAILAND 2019-01-02

 

No

I would rather be called a Cheap Charlie, than a fool with his money.

regards worgeordie

No

I've heard the Goons use phrases like ”what a pair of charlies”... never heard a Thai mention Charlie though.

I would rather be called a Cheap Charlie, than a fool with his money.
regards worgeordie

A “Cheap Charlie” is a fool with their money...

No, but it's fun

If they are young English and Teaching. Definitely Fair. They embarrass your Nation

 

I have also thought it was a term used by prostitutes whose prospective customers were not prepared to spend as much money on the purchase as the vendor would like.

 

And that its use had been taken up by those foreigners who spent time with such salespersons.

 

Consequently, when I hear a foreigner using the term I get an indication of their "interests".

 

 

 

 

Of course it is not fair to call some one cheap charlie,

  We all prioritize where we we spend our money. 

  Just because someone doesnot spend his money as you think he should does make him a cheap. HIs priorities are probably different. 

 

   

Cheap Charlie don't surf.

Depends if they are wearing elephant print pants or not

Just the mooches......

 

There's nothing wrong with careful spending.....

 

There is when you take advantage of others socially or  "bargain"/verbally berate-batter vendors with unrealistic and insultingly low offers......

The big bawana cheap charlie syndrome....

The phrase used by Asian prostitutes was in my experience 'You, Cheepi Charlie'

Not a very nice thing to say to somebody....especially if it's 100% true !!!!!...

 

On deeper thought, I rather be ushed away because she says "...nooo you to big, I refund".....rather then she says ..."you no give me more, you Cheap Charlie"....

6 minutes ago, Pete1980 said:

There are hundreds of kee (shit) words

The 'kee' used in these cases is a Thai prefix to indicate a negative attribute in a person.

Nothing to do with 'shit' (apart from kee nok, which is bird shit)

 

They play the same game with 'na' which is a Thai prefix to indicate someone who is 'worthy' of something.

Nothing to do with 'face'.

39 minutes ago, pgrahmm said:

Just the mooches......

 

There's nothing wrong with careful spending.....

 

There is when you take advantage of others socially or  "bargain"/verbally berate-batter vendors with unrealistic and insultingly low offers......

The big bawana cheap charlie syndrome....

I disagree, when the vendors initially ask unreasonably/insultingly high prices it is hardly surprising that they are treated in kind by purchasers fed up with the ritual haggling.

3 hours ago, Enoon said:

I have also thought it was a term used by prostitutes whose prospective customers were not prepared to spend as much money on the purchase as the vendor would like.

And that its use had been taken up by those foreigners who spent time with such salespersons.

Consequently, when I hear a foreigner using the term I get an indication of their "interests".

 

I totally agree on all points.

Never repeat any 'special' words you hear in a bar, or from white guys that hang around in bars.

I like to think of myself as a CAREFUL Charlie.

18 minutes ago, grollies said:

The phrase used by Asian prostitutes was in my experience 'You, Cheepi Charlie'

You post is like throwing underhand to Harmon Killebrew. O wait, you might not get that reference.

 

Your post is like handing the ball to Cristiano Ronaldo from the spot with a blind goalie

4 hours ago, webfact said:

which directly translates as ‘Sticky Shit’.

No it doesn't, 'kee neow' does not contain the same 'kee' as used for the word 'shit'.

Just as 'na gliat' does not contain the same 'na' as used for the word 'face'.

4 hours ago, webfact said:

DAN ABOUT THAILAND

That should be on top of this and similar articles.

If it would be on top I would right away click on another story...

 

Nothing wrong with being a cheap Charlie, the above bar as recognized by many I think is from Barrio Barretta. My favorite place.

 

22 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Nothing wrong with being a cheap Charlie, the above bar as recognized by many I think is from Barrio Barretta. My favorite place.

 

1

I think it's gone now, there was a rumour he lost (or was about to lose) the lease and had to relocate down the road.

With the Aussie dollar going down faster than a fat kid on a seasaw,yes i have become a cheap charlie,,,,

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I think it's gone now, there was a rumour he lost (or was about to lose) the lease and had to relocate down the road.

True, but the new one is almost identical. Same upstairs outdoor vibe. 

"Cheap charlie" seems less brutal than " tight as a fishes as* hole"

A term used usually by fat angry bar girls that don't have a 150 baht drink bought for them after 5 minutes of meaningless smalltalk

4 hours ago, lovelomsak said:

Of course it is not fair to call some one cheap charlie,

  We all prioritize where we we spend our money. 

  Just because someone doesnot spend his money as you think he should does make him a cheap. HIs priorities are probably different.    

 

Only partially true... 

 

You're forgetting the guys who eat and drink (often more than their share), then decide their priorities dictate they pay less than their share.  It's one thing to forgo something because you've decided it's not worth it.   It's another thing to partake, and then decide not to pay up.

 

We've all known a few. 

 

Everybody has the right to spend (or not) his money as he chooses. Doesn't make him cheap. 

Personally, I'd rather be careful with my money (and considered cheap), than run out of it and then end up having to free fall from a high-rise building because of financial reasons.