Mom & Pop Stores in Thailand: What do we really know about them? And, how much do we care?

[GammaGlobulin]

My Dear Friends,

 

We know about consumer behavior.  We realize that most of us care most not about Mom & Pop stores, but about beer and snacks. We just think that these tiny shops have been created in order to provide us with alcohol, all the life long day.

 

I just want to ask you.  Have you ever stopped to share a smile, and did you ever take the time to ask how Mom and Pop were getting along?  And, did you ever spend a moment of your busy day to ask Mom or Pop how they spend their days, between the times they sell you what you want?

 

Did you ever pause for a moment to look at the walls in their shops, and realize that they have proud photos of their children conspicuously displayed?

 

I know that most of you consider these important questions, so thoughtfully, whenever you think to buy a beer, or two.

 

I mean, how could we even consider otherwise?

 

Everybody has a life.

 

Mom and Pop have a life.

 

Did you ever stop to ask about their lives?  Did you ever ask Mom and Pop about how they are doing?

 

Mom and Pop are always there for you, through thick and thin.  And so, is it not now high time for us to think about Mom and Pop, also?

 

Just a considered suggestion.

Let's be more caring.

[Captain Monday]

Yes. Nobody reads long posts

As for people who are "confused" I can explain it for them

I cannot understand it for them. Not every member is up to our

intellectual level and not everyone is a native English reader.

 

[meechai]

1 hour ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Did you ever stop to ask about their lives?  Did you ever ask Mom and Pop about how they are doing?

Everytime

[GammaGlobulin]

4 minutes ago, meechai said:

Everytime

Me, too.

Doing so is important.

[Bday Prang]

i don't see how asking intrusive personal questions to people that you don't know would be considered as more caring, you would probably just be thought of as downright nosey. thats if you could even begin to make yourself understood    Imagine being back in your own country say 50 or so years ago (before all the PC "wokeness") and a barely coherent foreigner continually pesters you every time they come to your shop it wouldn't take long before it <deleted> you off and you barred them

If you want to keep "mom and pop" (where does that phrase come from? ) happy, just keep smiling as you tell them to keep the change 

 

and as for "being there for you through thick and thin"  see what happens if your money runs out

[GammaGlobulin]

1 minute ago, Bday Prang said:

i don't see how asking intrusive personal questions to people that you don't know would be considered as more caring, you would probably just be thought of as downright nosey. thats if you could even begin to make yourself understood    Imagine being back in your own country say 50 or so years ago (before all the PC "wokeness") and a barely coherent foreigner continually pesters you every time they come to your shop it wouldn't take long before it <deleted> you off and you barred them

If you want to keep "mom and pop" (where does that phrase come from? ) happy, just keep smiling as you tell them to keep the change 

 

and as for "being there for you through thick and thin"  see what happens if your money runs out

a. I don't buy much from people I do not know.

 

b. When I go to the store, I take money.

 

c. Through thick and thin, whenever I have money, people are always here for me.

[Bday Prang]

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

a. I don't buy much from people I do not know.

 

b. When I go to the store, I take money.

 

c. Through thick and thin, whenever I have money, people are always here for me.

Its not unique to your local shop ....if you have (enough) money you will find many people in Thailand who will "be there " for you,  even if you don't know them,,,,,,. be careful out there

[GammaGlobulin]

3 minutes ago, Bday Prang said:

Its not unique to your local shop ....if you have (enough) money you will find many people in Thailand who will "be there " for you,  even if you don't know them,,,,,,. be careful out there

OK.

I will be careful.

 

[Thujone]

Did you ever stop to ask about their lives?  Did you ever ask Mom and Pop about how they are doing?

 

Yes.

But they get very annoyed when I walk out without buying anything.

Edited August 27, 2021 by Thujone

[Ralf001]

Don't think I have ever asked the person at the cash register how their day is, mom and pop shop or a big box one.

 

Why would I ?

[CharlieH]

4 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

i don't see how asking intrusive personal questions to people that you don't know would be considered as more caring, you would probably just be thought of as downright nosey. thats if you could even begin to make yourself understood    Imagine being back in your own country say 50 or so years ago (before all the PC "wokeness") and a barely coherent foreigner continually pesters you every time they come to your shop it wouldn't take long before it <deleted> you off and you barred them

If you want to keep "mom and pop" (where does that phrase come from? ) happy, just keep smiling as you tell them to keep the change 

 

and as for "being there for you through thick and thin"  see what happens if your money runs out

 

Your opinion obviously, and clearly you dont live in a small community.

I have lived in this village 12 years, most people know each other and know all about their business and family history etc. Yes ! I ask how they are and how the kids are doing. Our local store is also a gas station, and yes locals will sit on the table etc provided and buy a drink and sit n talk awhile. I have also witnessed them allowinng "pay later" for some of the farmers. Its all about community and they will all help each other where possible or know somebody that can. Its one of the things I like most about Thailand and the reason I like this village.

That sense of community and caring is sadly long gone  in the West. (imho)

[inThailand]

Some are cracking up from  the long virus lockdowns? 

[Doctor Tom]

My G/F Number One and I had built a small, basic shop for her parents to operate in their village, cost of construction 60,000 Baht, fridge and shelving, 15,000,  stocking 20,000.    Upshot is they are now ( still , even in these covid times) self sufficient and no longer having to travel to make a living from food sales, or being supported by their nurse daughter ( my G/F).  It is a profitable venture, just,  albeit that it can never pay back the initial capital investment. The shop has become, in normal times, quite the meeting place for the local farmers coming off work to sit, drink and chat and school kids buying sweets and drinks.  These types of shops are critical to the Thai social scene and  its local economies. 

[Rinrada]

Have not had a "farang" in our wee shop for over a year but locals keep us going and busy....Cooking oil,snacks and 100 other things that Thais appreciate not forgetting a variety of Spirits and Ice Cold "ones."..and we never close....well not....until 9-00 PM of course..Obey and respect the law and no problems...sanuk..

[ThaiFelix]

I heard they were CIA operatives so I stay well clear.

[rct99q]

1 hour ago, Rinrada said:

Have not had a "farang" in our wee shop for over a year but locals keep us going and busy....Cooking oil,snacks and 100 other things that Thais appreciate not forgetting a variety of Spirits and Ice Cold "ones."..and we never close....well not....until 9-00 PM of course..Obey and respect the law and no problems...sanuk..

Same with our shop. I have a group of Thai's that come by everyday to say hello, buy a drink or snack and practice some English. Kids love to chat. 

It is a very social, and profitable, venture.

[Red Forever]

12 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

i don't see how asking intrusive personal questions to people that you don't know would be considered as more caring, you would probably just be thought of as downright nosey. thats if you could even begin to make yourself understood    Imagine being back in your own country say 50 or so years ago (before all the PC "wokeness") and a barely coherent foreigner continually pesters you every time they come to your shop it wouldn't take long before it <deleted> you off and you barred them

If you want to keep "mom and pop" (where does that phrase come from? ) happy, just keep smiling as you tell them to keep the change 

 

and as for "being there for you through thick and thin"  see what happens if your money runs out

How unpleasant your outlook on life is.

[Doctor Tom]

8 hours ago, CharlieH said:

That sense of community and caring is sadly long gone  in the West. (imho)

That is where Thailand has scored well in these Covid times, against western type societies, where isolation in homes has become a new mental pandemic. 

[hotchilli]

15 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

I just want to ask you.  Have you ever stopped to share a smile, and did you ever take the time to ask how Mom and Pop were getting along?  And, did you ever spend a moment of your busy day to ask Mom or Pop how they spend their days, between the times they sell you what you want?

My mom & pop shop are located inside my Moo Baan, the mother who owns the shop is a lovely person, in every way.

She has helped me with numerous issues over the years. Always happy to chat and smile.

She has two children the son is now a policeman the daughter a teacher, both who I have helped with English over the years when they were at school/University.

There is a 7-11 100 meters outside of the village, I've never set foot in it.

 

 

[Thingamabob]

It depends. Not all Thai shop owners welcome personal questions or discussions. Some do, some don't. 

[thailand49]

This is the type of post that contributes to duel pricing?????

[1FinickyOne]

they are people like everyone else, families good and bad... the nearest one to my home in the village had a moron husband who used to yell out to me and giggle when I would walk past... "wing wing" then laugh to the full extent of his 20 IQ.... though the wife was clever enuf to run a shop and when her 15 yr old niece came to stay, and my 16 yr old nephew started banging her, banished her back to her home village and claim a 50K baht reward was due to her, saying that the girl was pregnant [never any proof] 

 

I don't stop in there and ask how mom and pop are...

 

We usually hang at the soup restaurant of another neighbor. That family has enough stories to keep us all busy. 

 

You live in a village and everyone knows everything about everyones mom and pop w/o having to ask. You live in a village and your kid has a problem at school and you know about it before the kid gets home from school... 

 

But, maybe your idyllic view makes you happy... 

[Colabamumbai]

The only people I have to talk to besides the wife in Ban Bung Chonburi. 

[scorecard]

14 hours ago, Bday Prang said:

Its not unique to your local shop ....if you have (enough) money you will find many people in Thailand who will "be there " for you,  even if you don't know them,,,,,,. be careful out there

And that's unique to Thailand?

[khunPer]

In reply to your questions, OP: Yes...????

[Speedhump]

18 hours ago, Captain Monday said:

 

 

14 hours ago, Ralf001 said:

Don't think I have ever asked the person at the cash register how their day is, mom and pop shop or a big box one.

 

Why would I ?

Some people understand that a polite and friendly word can lighten someone's day. I often (not always, I admit) greet someone I don't know behind a desk or counter by asking how they are, in English or sometimes in my awful Thai. ????

Edited August 28, 2021 by Speedhump

[MrJ2U]

18 hours ago, GammaGlobulin said:

Did you ever pause for a moment to look at the walls in their shops, and realize that they have proud photos of their children conspicuously displayed?

Most of the walls in the local mom and pop shops are Mish mash of peeling paint and smashed mosquitoes.

 

I always say hello and smile and they respond back with same.

 

Definitely important for the locals and elderly for basic knick knacks and expired produce.

[GBW]

Troll!

[captainjackS]

Usually the owner of the next door mini mart looks over the wall and asks me what i'm doing whenever i'm outside fixing / adding something (usually electrical or plumbing).  Fascinated by the farang who puts too much effort and money into using correct tools / hardware / fittings when a cheaper and faster "local" method exists to do the job.  Then, when I'm finished, I always go buy beer and ice and make some small talk -- usually about home repair / construction.  I never ask too deep questions about family.  I see he is also quite interested in buddhist amulets.  I see people often stop by and sit at the table with him as they use their magnifying glasses and examine the details.  I'm interested how all that stuff works, but never asked.   Anyhow, mom n' pop shops are a necessity and i appreciate them so much.

[Maybole]

I would consider personal questions intrusive. However a greeting is always appreciated. My local shop has a 5 year old daughter who speaks an astonishing amount of English and interrogates me every time I go in.