webfact Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mogandave Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 No 3 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post worgeordie Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 I would rather be called a Cheap Charlie, than a fool with his money. regards worgeordie 25 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grollies Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 No Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemonjelly Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 I've heard the Goons use phrases like ”what a pair of charlies”... never heard a Thai mention Charlie though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mogandave Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 I would rather be called a Cheap Charlie, than a fool with his money. regards worgeordieA “Cheap Charlie” is a fool with their money... 5 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post theguyfromanotherforum Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 No, but it's fun 1 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post HAKAPALITA Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 If they are young English and Teaching. Definitely Fair. They embarrass your Nation 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Enoon Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 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". 5 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post lovelomsak Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 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. 13 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post NCC1701A Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 Cheap Charlie don't surf. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jdiddy Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 Depends if they are wearing elephant print pants or not 1 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post pgrahmm Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 (edited) 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.... Edited January 2, 2019 by pgrahmm 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grollies Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 The phrase used by Asian prostitutes was in my experience 'You, Cheepi Charlie' 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
observer90210 Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 (edited) 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".... Edited January 2, 2019 by observer90210 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritManToo Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 (edited) 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'. Edited January 2, 2019 by BritManToo 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post gmac Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 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. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wgdanson Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 I like to think of myself as a CAREFUL Charlie. 3 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nyezhov Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 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'. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post OneMoreFarang Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 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... 1 2 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVENKEEL Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 (edited) Nothing wrong with being a cheap Charlie, the above bar as recognized by many I think is from Barrio Barretta. My favorite place. Edited January 2, 2019 by EVENKEEL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BritManToo Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 (edited) 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. Edited January 2, 2019 by BritManToo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post grego49 Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 With the Aussie dollar going down faster than a fat kid on a seasaw,yes i have become a cheap charlie,,,, 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EVENKEEL Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aussieroaming Posted January 2, 2019 Share Posted January 2, 2019 "Cheap charlie" seems less brutal than " tight as a fishes as* hole" 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cyril sneer Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 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 3 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post impulse Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 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. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post djayz Posted January 2, 2019 Popular Post Share Posted January 2, 2019 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. 11 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now