Reverse Culture Shock

[jingjai9]

I am American and what struck me upon returning home after many years in Thailand is that Americans like control. The thing I dreaded the most was robo calls and other phone solicitations. Also, after staying in Thailand for a long time I noticed how much electricity American use: garbage disposal, electric can opener, electric garage door openers, etc. I cannot forget the deserted streets at night. I am used to active evenings in Thailand with markets and events.

 

The people in Thailand are more gentle and it easier to avoid confrotation and when living in Thailand I think ex-pats as a rule become more patient.

 

However, in America I can relax when I drive, the streets are cleaner and the houses generally more comfortable. Also I did not miss the endless stream of motorcycles weaving in and out.

 

Choose you poison

[falang1969]

Me, the Mrs and kid have been back to the UK every year for the last 5 years for 2 months in the summer.

Not much of a culture shock really, the best thing is the pleasant temperatures back in the UK in summer, you can actually go out and do stuff without sweating your knackers off!

The bad thing is how I feel a foreigner in London, it is just full of foreigners. Even more than I remember when I lived in Central London from 1999-2005.

Lastly, the way too strict rules for driving, speed camera's everywhere, can't fart without getting fined for this or that!

Edited May 15, 2020 by falang1969

[bodga]

9 hours ago, kenk24 said:

'but she's Chinese.'

Cough  up  a  big  greenie  and  deposit  it on the  floor,  i  hear  it's  culture you  know.

[Stevemercer]

I am always surprised when I visit Australia how friendly most people are, and how cheap things are in supermarkets. However, after a week or so I start running into <deleted>. I probably do the same in Thailand (run into <deleted>), but because of the language differences I can ignore them here.

[Lacessit]

7 hours ago, Neeranam said:

I got a parking ticked in Melbourne for facing the wrong direction! What a stupid law, it was on a quiet street in Hampton near the beach. I was only in a shop to buy a bottle of milk and didn't even see the warden -  must have run away. 

They are known as the Grey Ghosts or the Gestapo, and probably the most loathed officials in Victoria.

[Lacessit]

6 hours ago, UbonThani said:

kids section at target

Kids don't have breasts.

[UbonThani]

6 minutes ago, Stevemercer said:

I am always surprised when I visit Australia how friendly most people are, and how cheap things are in supermarkets. However, after a week or so I start running into <deleted>. I probably do the same in Thailand (run into <deleted>), but because of the language differences I can ignore them here.

Cheap? no

Friendly? mostly racist bogans

[UbonThani]

5 minutes ago, Lacessit said:

Kids don't have breasts.

Neither do 40kg Thais

[jak2002003]

Have been back to UK only once in many years.

 

Culture shock bad things....

 

So cold, could not get warm, despite central heating, hot water bottles, wooly jumpers and thick socks.  

 

No water spray bum gun

 

A lot of the food seemed heavy and gave me indigestion.. and portion size has changed to become massive American style.

 

Intimidating groups of loud (usually drunk) teenagers in the evenings in the town centres.  

 

My skin became very dry and itchy... and my eczema and hay fever came back with a vengeance.  Never get them here in Thailand.  

 

Culture shock good things.....

 

In general, people seemed more friendly than I remembered.  After being used to some misunderstands in translation when speaking to Thai people, it was a relief to have a conversation with such misunderstandings.  

 

Easy to get good quality farang food a good price, and the old comfort British food.   Over here (Thailand), farang food seems too expensive and usually below average quality at some jumped up fake hi so place.  

 

Goods and services mostly seemed to have better customer service and quality, and things were quick and efficient.  

 

The roads were a lot safer!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited May 15, 2020 by jak2002003

[featography]

On 5/14/2020 at 1:19 PM, CharlieH said:

The only thing that sprung to mind was the attitude I faced in two supermarkets by the old crows sat on the till ! 

My wife is 14 yrs younger than me, looks younger to be honest but they reacted like someone was holding a turd under their nose and looked at me like I was, well you can guess the rest. It was so blatant in the one that I asked to see the Manager about her attitude.

Before moving to Thailand, before marrying my wife, 19yrs younger than I, I remember often seeing older men with younger Philippine wives and how everyone in the market would stare with looks of disgust. I would think to myself, jealous old guys with fat old wives, and old fat women jealous of younger slender darker skin toned ladies and I would mentally high five the guys with the younger Philappine wives. Years later I find myself waiting for the covid to end so I can take my Thai wife and our daughter to the States to live. 

[Sujo]

6 hours ago, Neeranam said:

I went to Surfer's Paradise in Aug 2005. Paradise, my <deleted>, it was 7C one night, fkn freezing. One went into the water once, for a couple of minutes.

Yes, lots of people think brisbane and gold coast is always warm and sunny.

 

It does get very cold.

[UbonThani]

9 minutes ago, featography said:

Before moving to Thailand, before marrying my wife, 19yrs younger than I, I remember often seeing older men with younger Philippine wives and how everyone in the market would stare with looks of disgust. I would think to myself, jealous old guys with fat old wives, and old fat women jealous of younger slender darker skin toned ladies and I would mentally high five the guys with the younger Philappine wives. Years later I find myself waiting for the covid to end so I can take my Thai wife and our daughter to the States to live. 

They assume hookers

[UbonThani]

5 minutes ago, Sujo said:

Yes, lots of people think brisbane and gold coast is always warm and sunny.

 

It does get very cold.

7c is not cold

-7 is cold

[cyril sneer]

6 hours ago, Kennycrossfit said:

Last time I was in London there were still loads of native white people,London has always been multi cultural. Just scaremongering by the usual suspects. 

you're correct, it sounds very scary if true

[Lacessit]

33 minutes ago, UbonThani said:

Neither do 40kg Thais

Mine was at the front of the queue, then. No, you are not getting a photo.

Edited May 15, 2020 by Lacessit

[UbonThani]

1 minute ago, Lacessit said:

Mine was at the front of the queue, then. No, you are not getting a photo.

Fake ones dont count

[Phulublub]

On 5/14/2020 at 1:53 PM, Pilotman said:

I am a Thai based expat and although I know it's on a temporary stay basis, year on year, this is my home, not the UK.  I never felt much of a connection with the UK in past years,  even thought I was in the Military. Thailand has its frustrations, but so does the UK, much more than Thailand in my view.  The UK people are not as friendly, it's a selfish 'me first' society, the infrastructure is old, expensive and unreliable and the weather is truly appalling most of the time.  if it were not for my kids living there, I would be quite happy never to set foot in the country again.  

I am shocked. 

 

A sundodger agreeing here with a crab!

 

PH

[NoshowJones]

9 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

Yep. I have never seen a male toilet cleaner here in Thailand.

However, the one thing that did freeze me was in a Thai cafe. Whilst waiting for the 'flow to stop', a guy came up behind me and started to give me a shoulder and neck massage. I almost hit him until I realised that he was wearing an employees uniform.

That bit of Thai culture I will pass on.

When I first came to Thailand, I had it in my head never to use violence if it can be helped, but I have to say that having a wee and some guy started to massage me, I don't think I could stop myself from hitting him.

[Pilotman]

19 minutes ago, Phulublub said:

I am shocked. 

 

A sundodger agreeing here with a crab!

 

PH

love it ????

[Captain Monday]

7 hours ago, Shot said:

"Nor were national guardsnmen in camos with rifles a common sight."

 

Which train station, and when?

It was for a short time after 9-11 attacks. Airports also. I heard from military guys who were active pilots in various Guard units they were unloaded. Personally I think guns in the US should be mostly nbanned except for hunting rifles and shotguns  but I like the idea of Soldiers and Policemen with automatic weapons patrolling airports.

 

I had a culture shock incident at Suwannaphumi Airport. An old old lady in some kind of African or middle eastern costume was afraid to get on the escalator. Her group had already boarded she was left behind, they were shouting something.  I offered my hand to stabilize her maybe I touched her forearm. She actually struck me. I have done similar before but in her country I probably could have been killed for touching an unrelated woman.

[NoshowJones]

42 minutes ago, cyril sneer said:

you're correct, it sounds very scary if true

Look at all these women of a certain faith where you can only see their eyes, don't tell me that's not scary.

[giddyup]

20 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

When I first came to Thailand, I had it in my head never to use violence if it can be helped, but I have to say that having a wee and some guy started to massage me, I don't think I could stop myself from hitting him.

In the old days in the bars in Manila it was quite common for toilet attendants to give you a neck massage while taking a whizz, then you got a choice of aftershaves as well. It was just another service the bars provided. Had the best time of my life in those bars.

Edited May 15, 2020 by giddyup

[LarryLEB]

1 hour ago, UbonThani said:

7c is not cold

-7 is cold

-7 is not cold

-27 with a -37 wind chill is cold

[Octpob]

9 hours ago, Lacessit said:

My GF discovered secondhand stores in Australia - Savers, Salvation Army, Lions, you name it. She was in seventh heaven, she could spend hours in them browsing, while I went off to do other shopping.

My wallet was quite safe too - at 40 kg, all of the clothes were too big for her.

 

 

I relate to this, my wife's favourite shop is Vinnies.

[Captain Monday]

In the US the AVERAGE women's dress size is 14. A 52 kg woman is called tiny.

I flew a Fiji once the resort we played over was all Australian young couples most young women obese.

 

[NoshowJones]

33 minutes ago, giddyup said:

In the old days in the bars in Manila it was quite common for toilet attendants to give you a neck massage while taking a whizz, then you got a choice of aftershaves as well. It was just another service the bars provided. Had the best time of my life in those bars.

Yes your right, I have read about it happening in bars, but I never gave it another thought as I never go in to bars, but anywhere else??

[mr mr]

38 minutes ago, LarryLEB said:

1 hour ago, UbonThani said:

7c is not cold

-7 is cold

-7 is not cold

-27 with a -37 wind chill is cold

i know its cute right. eh ? haha i was going to reply but you took care of that for me. 

[Thingamabob]

Not really culture shock, but I have pretty much given up on visiting the UK, my home country. I find it run down, and the people thick and humourless. 

[DaRoadrunner]

12 hours ago, baansgr said:

But can get a decent pint of Dumbar in a pub for less than 80 BAHT????

True, but you will not find naked Oriental girls dancing on top of the bar. As for our women, I would pay them to keep their clothes ON.

[Mac98]

1) How cold everyone keeps their homes at night.

2) How expensive everything is in California.

3) How cheap everything is in Utah.

4) With the rise of Indian casinos, 24-hour gambling now most everywhere.

5) That people will pay $20 to get into a place that is going to charge them $40 for a 2-munute lap dance.

6) Drive-thru restaurants everywhere for many kinds of food.

7) The zero eye contact with younger women.

???? The look of horror when you reply "Thailand" to their inevitable query.