merry Xmas. Do you miss your family/friends?

[sirineou]

14 hours ago, Yinn said:

Merry Xmas everyone.

Thank Yinn!!

you seem to have more Christmas spirit than most supposed "Christians. "

Merry christmas to you too, and a Happy new Year for you , your family and friends. 

  To your question, Yes , I miss the ones that that I am not with, and cherish the ones I am with. 

My Father was stuff engineer in the Merchant marine, my much older brother John, had being inducted in the Greek army. We pulled strings and family connections and had him assigned as a driver in King Constantine's palace in Athens so that he can be close to home. 

 To make a very long story short. (I could write a book) there was a military coup. king left the country and abdicated,  Brother was arrested and thrown in jail ( a lot of good people disappeared at that time)  Father Jumped ship in New York and filed for political asylum, and we went to Italy where we had family, and friends. 

 Eventually we made it to the US, Older sister remained in Italy and got married there.

 After a few months my brother , much to our relief was released from jail but remained in Greece, joined as  in the US a couple of years later but only stayed there a few years and returned to Greece to marry. 

Me and my little sister  grew up in the US.

Over 50 years now and we find ourselves  spread all over the world.

None of as is very religious,I am an Atheist (I suspect most of my family is, but will not admit it)  but I remain a Cultural Christian , I highlighted this term because I suspect (for good reasons) , that most so called " Christians"  are just that, Cultural Christians.

 Though we are spread out all over the world  (USA, Greece, Italy Australia, Thailand) we are all very close, not a week goes by that we don't talk, or year that we don't see each other. 

 Right now I am in the US with Nuy, will be spending Christmas with Little sister in Florida, where we also have a home,  (little sister is sixty and we still call her Beba, LOL means baby girl) Brother John will join as for New Years. I hope he brings me some good Greek olives. 

  Christmas Is just that, a time for family and friends to reconnect,For most of as it has little to do with religion. And those who scream the name of the lord the loudest are the ones that follow his morality the least. 

 

Merry Christmas to all ???????? ????????????????????????

  

Edited December 21, 2019 by sirineou
typo

[sirineou]

53 minutes ago, GinBoy2 said:

I always went home for Christmas when we lived full time in Thailand.

 

I couldn't imagine not seeing my girls at Christmas. I'm not terribly religious, but a Christmas service with my daughters is a little tradition.

 

Our usual routine is with have Christmas with my daughters, ex wife and her husband, then we fly out to Thailand for a couple of months.

 

This is the first year my wife is going back alone on the 26th for a month. I just couldn't be bothered to go back this year

 

 

Same here my friend. I could not imagine not being with my daughter

"Our usual routine is with have Christmas with my daughters, ex wife and her husband, then we fly out to Thailand for a couple of months. "

We could be twins, only we do Thanksgiving with Daughter, Ex-wife and her husband, because my daughters B-day is the Nov 22nd so we combine the two.  

  Right now waiting for my daughter to wake up (she sleeps late on saturdays , 10:30 here in FL) and we are going Christmas shopping !! I am warming up Credit card LOL

    Winters are nice in FL , today 71 F and sunny. Will be back in Thailand March or April. 

How is the weather where you are, is it so cold that your Christmas balls are jingling?  LOL 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

;

Edited December 21, 2019 by sirineou
typo

[White Christmas13]

Merry Christmas to all of you

[chickenslegs]

1 hour ago, EVENKEEL said:

The last thing Thailand needs is another holiday.  

Seems that a lot of Thai workers don't get flexible "leave days", just public holidays.

 

I believe there are about 20 public holidays in 2020, and most will enable the worker to have a long weekend (3 or 4 days off work) now and then. Just enough time to travel home to the family, spend a day or 2 there, then travel back to work - no fortnight holidays for them.

 

When I was working in the UK I got 21-28 days flexible leave each year, plus public holidays (IIRC, 8 or 9 days).

 

Yes, I know things are not so good for a lot of workers back in the UK just now, but a hell of a sight better than for working class Thai folks.

[Isaanbiker]

4 hours ago, billd766 said:

Christmas day is not normally a holiday in Thailand and certainly not in rural Thailand. My son will be going to school as normal and we don't celebrate it here.

 

I celebrated the winter solstice on my own today as I am not a Christian anyway. I stopped believing  decades ago when I was old enough and smart enough to think for myself.

 

https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/common/christmas-day

 

About Christmas Day
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the son of God. His birth date is unknown because there is little information about his early life. There is disagreement among scholars on when Jesus was born. Christians celebrate Jesus’ birthday on December 25. Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7.

The word “Christmas” comes from the old English “Cristes maesse”, or the mass of Christ. It is likely that the Christmas date of December 25 was chosen to offset the Pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Natalis Invicti. It it also possible that the celebration of the birth of the “true light of the world” was set at the time of the December solstice because this is when the days in the northern hemisphere begin to grow longer. Christmas holiday customs derive from various cultures, including Teutonic, Celtic, Roman, West Asian and Christian.

If Jesus was born 2019 years ago, I'll eat my dog. No offense to believers, but it's all so irritating that it hurts.

 

  Jehovah' Witness have foreseen the end of the world now for 255 times, but we're still typing nonsense on here. 

 

The 7th day Adventists go to church on Saturday and believe that only they'll survive. 

 

Mormons try to trick Thais into believing into their god and help them if they stop being Buddhist? 

 

  But if it's true that Adam created nice looking girls, i believe it all. 

 

   Did Cain kill Abel because they had not enough food?

 

     Why can't Jesus come back and make some wine for us poor Isaanjeros? Perhaps because he doesn't exist and never has?

 

   

 

   

[NightSky]

I’m visiting family back in the uk and although I miss them after a few weeks I begin to remember some of the reasons why I left for new horizons.

 

food for thought indeed, Merry Christmas.

[Odysseus123]

14 hours ago, murraynz said:

Amazing replies, mostly from misery guts morons... How sad.. Cheer up guys...   How about giving to a local kids charity.. Maybe that would help to give you some Xmas spirit. 

Even a good night out with bar girls, may help to cheer you up..

Merry Xmas 

Well..they are kinda like that on the other 364(5) days as well.

 

So full marks given for consistency.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year everyone!

[ukrules]

22 hours ago, Yinn said:

 

Do you go back home country/village to visit at Xmas?

You family come to see you in Thailand?
Do you miss your family and old friend at Xmas since you live in Thailand?

No, Christmas is irrelevant.

[thaibeachlovers]

8 hours ago, sirineou said:

Christmas Is just that, a time for family and friends to reconnect,For most of as it has little to do with religion.

So call it something else. To say CHRISTMAS and then claim not even to be a Christian is at least ignoring what CHRISTMAS is actually about, and at most hypocritical. If all the pagans want to celebrate solstice, far be it for me to judge, but at least say Happy holiday and not merry CHRISTMAS.

 

BTW, spare a thought for all those that will kill themselves during everyone else's happy time. If you know someone that is depressed as they don't have anyone to celebrate with, invite them to yours. You might save their life.

 

[thaibeachlovers]

23 minutes ago, ukrules said:

No, Christmas is irrelevant.

Yes, just another day to some of us.

[thaibeachlovers]

6 hours ago, Isaanbiker said:

If Jesus was born 2019 years ago, I'll eat my dog. No offense to believers, but it's all so irritating that it hurts.

 

  Jehovah' Witness have foreseen the end of the world now for 255 times, but we're still typing nonsense on here. 

 

The 7th day Adventists go to church on Saturday and believe that only they'll survive. 

 

Mormons try to trick Thais into believing into their god and help them if they stop being Buddhist? 

 

  But if it's true that Adam created nice looking girls, i believe it all. 

 

   Did Cain kill Abel because they had not enough food?

 

     Why can't Jesus come back and make some wine for us poor Isaanjeros? Perhaps because he doesn't exist and never has?

 

   

 

   

The early Christians co opted a pagan festival to celebrate the birth of their Lord, so no one believes Christ was born 2019 years ago.

How does it feel to be celebrating a man that you don't even believe existed? That's what people are doing when they mention CHRISTMAS.

 

Did Cain kill Abel because they had not enough food?

What does that have to do with the topic?

 

[ChipButty]

9 hours ago, EVENKEEL said:

The last thing Thailand needs is another holiday.  

That's right they might make another No Alcohol day 

[SkyFax]

Reading about some of the family relationships on here all I can think of is:

Sure -- but what about the ex-wife's husband's ex-wife's husband's kids?

 

 

[thaibeachlovers]

25 minutes ago, SkyFax said:

Reading about some of the family relationships on here all I can think of is:

Sure -- but what about the ex-wife's husband's ex-wife's husband's kids?

 

 

I must be lucky. My overseas family ignore me so I feel no need to buy them a present or even send them a card.

[Rhys]

I somewhat like that I have forgotten the holidays... 

[Ventenio]

Chistmas is for kids of Christian families.  If you don't spend money on them, you are a a bad parent.  If you don't see your parents for 11 months and then forced to see them, that won't be fun.

 

the holiday is fine because lots of kids will smile.  is it sad they have to be bought gifts for a smile?  of course.  

[ChipButty]

15 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

I must be lucky. My overseas family ignore me so I feel no need to buy them a present or even send them a card.

Same for me, is it a case of Out of sight, Out of Mind?

[sammieuk1]

8 hours ago, White Christmas13 said:

Merry Christmas to all of you

A more fitting photo is needed for a happy new year!      and a      Merry Christmas to all of you to

 

[Yinn]

13 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Seems that a lot of Thai workers don't get flexible "leave days", just public holidays.

 

Most factory/office worker get 7/8 flexible leave for year.

 

So mix with the public day and have longer holiday.

 

30 illness days.

[Yinn]

15 hours ago, sirineou said:

Thank Yinn!!

you seem to have more Christmas spirit than most supposed "Christians. "

Merry christmas to you too, and a Happy new Year for you , your family and friends. 

  To your question, Yes , I miss the ones that that I am not with, and cherish the ones I am with. 

My Father was stuff engineer in the Merchant marine, my much older brother John, had being inducted in the Greek army. We pulled strings and family connections and had him assigned as a driver in King Constantine's palace in Athens so that he can be close to home. 

 To make a very long story short. (I could write a book) there was a military coup. king left the country and abdicated,  Brother was arrested and thrown in jail ( a lot of good people disappeared at that time)  Father Jumped ship in New York and filed for political asylum, and we went to Italy where we had family, and friends. 

 Eventually we made it to the US, Older sister remained in Italy and got married there.

 After a few months my brother , much to our relief was released from jail but remained in Greece, joined as  in the US a couple of years later but only stayed there a few years and returned to Greece to marry. 

Me and my little sister  grew up in the US.

Over 50 years now and we find ourselves  spread all over the world.

None of as is very religious,I am an Atheist (I suspect most of my family is, but will not admit it)  but I remain a Cultural Christian , I highlighted this term because I suspect (for good reasons) , that most so called " Christians"  are just that, Cultural Christians.

 Though we are spread out all over the world  (USA, Greece, Italy Australia, Thailand) we are all very close, not a week goes by that we don't talk, or year that we don't see each other. 

 Right now I am in the US with Nuy, will be spending Christmas with Little sister in Florida, where we also have a home,  (little sister is sixty and we still call her Beba, LOL means baby girl) Brother John will join as for New Years. I hope he brings me some good Greek olives. 

  Christmas Is just that, a time for family and friends to reconnect,For most of as it has little to do with religion. And those who scream the name of the lord the loudest are the ones that follow his morality the least. 

 

Merry Christmas to all ???????? ????????????????????????

  

Lovely story. 

thankyou

[Yinn]

14 hours ago, Isaanbiker said:

If Jesus was born 2019 years ago, I'll eat my dog. No offense to believers, but it's all so irritating that it hurts.

 

  Jehovah' Witness have foreseen the end of the world now for 255 times, but we're still typing nonsense on here. 

 

The 7th day Adventists go to church on Saturday and believe that only they'll survive. 

 

Mormons try to trick Thais into believing into their god and help them if they stop being Buddhist? 

 

  But if it's true that Adam created nice looking girls, i believe it all. 

 

   Did Cain kill Abel because they had not enough food?

 

     Why can't Jesus come back and make some wine for us poor Isaanjeros? Perhaps because he doesn't exist and never has?

 

   

 

   

Ok, but do you miss your family?

[thaibeachlovers]

6 hours ago, ChipButty said:

Same for me, is it a case of Out of sight, Out of Mind?

Not with me. I think they just don't like me. I spent 2 summers with them ( farmers so I helped out ), but the second time was a mistake. However if it means that I don't have to send presents perhaps it worked out for the best.

[Tony125]

17 hours ago, tomazbodner said:

Please follow your own advice, Sir. A very helpful poster made that easy by linking video with brief history of Coca Cola's involvement in creating Santa's look as it is today. It just takes a few minutes.

#1 I was not talking to you, I was telling the poster who didn't think Coca Cola had anything to do with the Santa Claus figure where he could find info.

 #2 I think if you check I am the helpful poster who posted the video and link about Coca Cola company and Christmas

[thaibeachlovers]

10 minutes ago, Yinn said:

Ok, but do you miss your family?

You are trying to put everyone into the same box and that just doesn't work.

I went to boarding school so never saw them most of the year, and later I worked on the holidays. Never got to know my siblings who are younger than I.

Soon as I started work they all went to the other side of the planet.

Do I miss them? No.

[4MyEgo]

On 12/21/2019 at 11:49 AM, Yinn said:

Do you go back home country/village to visit at Xmas?

You family come to see you in Thailand?
Do you miss your family and old friend at Xmas since you live in Thailand?

 

Merry Xmas everyone.

No because airlines and hotels take advantage of the silly season marking their prices up a lot, so we go around October when the kids have school holidays and the prices are reasonable.

 

No too expensive.

 

No as I communicate with them via Line and Facebook, and see them when we return annually.

 

Xmas to me is just a commercialised load of you know what which in my opinion was created just as the stories were, so that the masses could flock to the church's, donate money, leave their estates to the churches, etc etc, and of course spend money on Xmas presents filling in the pockets of the big corporations, same same for easter, and where the bunny rabbit came from, I have no idea, pretty much the same as Santa Clause I suppose, then you have mother's day, father's day, birthdays etc, etc, all there to make you spend money.

 

As you can probably detect I do not believe in Xmas, and the stories about Christ, God, Ala and the rest, I mean ask yourself this, why don't all of these religious groups pay taxes, they seem to have a lot of wealth, although it would be nice to see these churches/religious organisations and big corporations came up with an annual contribution to donate money to people starving all around the world, I could go on, but I think you get my drift.

 

If it makes you feel good, Merry Xmas Yinn 

 

 

[Yinn]

3 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

No because airlines and hotels take advantage of the silly season marking their prices up a lot, so we go around October when the kids have school holidays and the prices are reasonable.

 

No too expensive.

 

No as I communicate with them via Line and Facebook, and see them when we return annually.

 

Xmas to me is just a commercialised load of you know what which in my opinion was created just as the stories were, so that the masses could flock to the church's, donate money, leave their estates to the churches, etc etc, and of course spend money on Xmas presents filling in the pockets of the big corporations, same same for easter, and where the bunny rabbit came from, I have no idea, pretty much the same as Santa Clause I suppose, then you have mother's day, father's day, birthdays etc, etc, all there to make you spend money.

 

As you can probably detect I do not believe in Xmas, and the stories about Christ, God, Ala and the rest, I mean ask yourself this, why don't all of these religious groups pay taxes, they seem to have a lot of wealth, although it would be nice to see these churches/religious organisations and big corporations came up with an annual contribution to donate money to people starving all around the world, I could go on, but I think you get my drift.

 

If it makes you feel good, Merry Xmas Yinn 

 

 

Santa is not true?

[4MyEgo]

11 minutes ago, Yinn said:

Santa is not true?

Ho, ho, ho, knock yourself out, in particular: Controversy about deceiving children.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Claus

Edited December 22, 2019 by 4MyEgo

[Tony125]

10 minutes ago, 4MyEgo said:

No because airlines and hotels take advantage of the silly season marking their prices up a lot, so we go around October when the kids have school holidays and the prices are reasonable.

 

No too expensive.

 

No as I communicate with them via Line and Facebook, and see them when we return annually.

 

Xmas to me is just a commercialised load of you know what which in my opinion was created just as the stories were, so that the masses could flock to the church's, donate money, leave their estates to the churches, etc etc, and of course spend money on Xmas presents filling in the pockets of the big corporations, same same for easter, and where the bunny rabbit came from, I have no idea, pretty much the same as Santa Clause I suppose, then you have mother's day, father's day, birthdays etc, etc, all there to make you spend money.

 

As you can probably detect I do not believe in Xmas, and the stories about Christ, God, Ala and the rest, I mean ask yourself this, why don't all of these religious groups pay taxes, they seem to have a lot of wealth, although it would be nice to see these churches/religious organisations and big corporations came up with an annual contribution to donate money to people starving all around the world, I could go on, but I think you get my drift.

 

If it makes you feel good, Merry Xmas Yinn 

 

 

Your statements tell alot about you " then you have mother's day, father's day, birthdays etc, etc, all there to make you spend money."   Make you spend money ? I had love for my parents and love my daughter and gran kids , cousins. some GF's and my wife.   Don't really need a holiday to sometime show my appreciation and love for them by giving a gift, money, party,trip ,ect. 

[Number 6]

Most of us don't come from villages.

 

No, I have my wife who is Thai and we take our anniversary at this time of year.

 

[Vacuum]

On 12/21/2019 at 4:46 AM, OneMoreFarang said:

@Yinn, how do you feel when your mostly Buddhist homeland makes a huge fuss out of other people religion's special days?

Does that not all look somehow strange to you? Do you like it?

Nothing strange, it's all about baht.