Popular Post Non Immigrant Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 Hello, fellow foreigners. Just a poll about our assimilation with Thai culture. I couldn't add another question, but for discussion, I'd ask: do you think we should assimilate? And what does assimilation mean for you? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post EVENKEEL Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 Drink beer with ice 3 1 1 1 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Will B Good Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 7 minutes ago, Non Immigrant said: do you think we should assimilate? And what does assimilation mean for you? Learning the language is a huge barrier (for me)....and I know some on here will start spouting off about how you must (only those that can speak THAI I would hasten to add)....but I have lived in France, Germany and Italy.....was I supposed to learn all those languages as well? Assimilation to me means not rubbing up anyone the wrong way....it's their culture so go with the flow. 6 5 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Maha Sarakham Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 I used to think I wanted to when I first started coming to Thailand, but I almost feel like less is more these days. No longer have a desire to fully assimilate, I will strike a balance between the two cultures as I see most appropriate. Neither is perfect. 2 1 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post LaosLover Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 People assimilate primarily for economic advancement. For us mainly retirees, that's not a motivation. 3 1 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BritManToo Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 (edited) 7 minutes ago, Maha Sarakham said: I used to think I wanted to when I first started coming to Thailand, but I almost feel like less is more these days. The longer you stay in Thailand, the less you want to associate with Thais. Edited November 13, 2022 by BritManToo 2 1 5 1 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Non Immigrant Posted November 13, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 9 minutes ago, Maha Sarakham said: I used to think I wanted to when I first started coming to Thailand, but I almost feel like less is more these days. No longer have a desire to fully assimilate, I will strike a balance between the two cultures as I see most appropriate. Neither is perfect. I feel the same way actually 4 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non Immigrant Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 3 minutes ago, BritManToo said: The longer you stay in Thailand, the less you want to associate with Thais. I wonder why that is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non Immigrant Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 24 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said: Drink beer with ice Oh <deleted>, does that mean I have assimilated, haha 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sqwakvfr Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 My experience has been most Thai's don't want Foreigners to assimilate into their communities or culture. From my perspective most Thai's want some distance from Foreigners. No problem if I go into a store, restaurants or any other business in Thailand. When I first arrived to live here I got some odd stares when I got into line at a mostly locals food stand. I got the feeling of "you don't belong here" I could have been wrong? I am respectful to the people and culture of Thailand but I know where i should or should not go. Of course this is strictly based upon my experience of being here for the last 7 years. Others will have different thoughts. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sparktrader Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 50 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said: Drink beer with ice Yes I do. I speak Thai. I avoid farangs. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparktrader Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 27 minutes ago, Non Immigrant said: I wonder why that is. He cant speak Thai. Makes no effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NativeBob Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 31 minutes ago, BritManToo said: The longer you stay in Thailand, the less you want to associate with Thais. +100% true. Unfortunately local culture seems (sorry to say that) inferior for some folks. Although I thought its just different. To assimilate? Probably not, but 1 thing I think was pretty stupid not to learn thai language. It was pretty dumb thing. Thailand is not English speaking country, not even Tinglish speaking ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
proton Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 Mall Bang Kapi Friday, singers Yin Tiitikan, Ajareeya, Tattakan and Jintara concert, yesterday terminal 21 Rama 3 Mr Tree concert, Morlam tonight at Prapradeng. No foreigners present, never is. But it's not assimilation, you are always the foreigner. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maha Sarakham Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 1 minute ago, proton said: But it's not assimilation, you are always the foreigner. I think that is why it lost its appeal. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non Immigrant Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 23 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said: My experience has been most Thai's don't want Foreigners to assimilate into their communities or culture. From my perspective most Thai's want some distance from Foreigners. No problem if I go into a store, restaurants or any other business in Thailand. When I first arrived to live here I got some odd stares when I got into line at a mostly locals food stand. I got the feeling of "you don't belong here" I could have been wrong? I am respectful to the people and culture of Thailand but I know where i should or should not go. Of course this is strictly based upon my experience of being here for the last 7 years. Others will have different thoughts. I agree Not that I have ever felt like I was unwelcome, but I am sure the locals would not particularly like it if I bought a plot of land in their village, or started doing their jobs, or becamee mayor, for example. They do want us to remain foreigners forever, I think. But we are useful for spending money and teaching English, and otherwise tolerated. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post GammaGlobulin Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 I believe that the poster of this topic has not a clue concerning the meaning of the term, 'cultural assimilation'. A minority culture does not assimilate WITH the majority group. Instead, the minority group is assimilated by the majority group, and takes on the values, behaviors and beliefs of the majority group. We as foreigners are not a single minority group, by the way. Anyway, most first-generation foreigners are not assimilated into the majority group, in any given country. And, even in the second generation, there is no true assimilation. Of course, in rare instances, you might see a guy from a foreign country who is only partially assimilated into his new country, like Great Britain, and yet this guy is still able to become a PM, although this is very rare. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non Immigrant Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 12 minutes ago, Sparktrader said: I avoid farangs Why? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non Immigrant Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 49 minutes ago, LaosLover said: People assimilate primarily for economic advancement. For us mainly retirees, that's not a motivation. Yeah, but to be fair when Asian go to the West, they generally don't assimilate. The create a China Town or Little India. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non Immigrant Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 19 minutes ago, Sparktrader said: He cant speak Thai. Makes no effort. Interesting, what do you get if you make an effort? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparktrader Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 2 minutes ago, Non Immigrant said: Interesting, what do you get if you make an effort? More experiences. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post proton Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 21 minutes ago, Sparktrader said: Yes I do. I speak Thai. I avoid farangs. what you avoid fat, loud mouthed know it all's in cargo shorts who are probably sex tourists, have shady pasts at home or who don't even have the cash to be here legally, I'm shocked ???? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparktrader Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 7 minutes ago, Non Immigrant said: Yeah, but to be fair when Asian go to the West, they generally don't assimilate. The create a China Town or Little India. Their loss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparktrader Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 12 minutes ago, Non Immigrant said: Why? Dont want to listen to all the whining. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post simon43 Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 (edited) After 20 years here, I feel that I have assimilated quite well. I studied Thai Culture up to MA level at Chula, and feel that I've got a good understanding of the culture, people day-to-day living etc. I speak, read and write Thai to a good level. That being said, I tend to avoid unnecessary communication/contact with Thai people. But I do the same with foreigners.... ???? Edited November 13, 2022 by simon43 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Non Immigrant Posted November 13, 2022 Author Share Posted November 13, 2022 5 minutes ago, Sparktrader said: More experiences. That's for sure. A rollercoaster ???? of experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparktrader Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 1 minute ago, Non Immigrant said: That's for sure. A rollercoaster ???? of experiences. No use going to Disneyland if not riding. You can eat chips at home. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Sparktrader Posted November 13, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 3 minutes ago, simon43 said: After 20 years here, I feel that I have assimilated quite well. I studied Thai Culture up to MA level at Chula, and feel that I've got a good understanding of the culture, people day-to-day living etc. I speak, read and write Thai to a good level. That being said, I tend to avoid unnecessary communication/contact with Thai people. But I do the same with foreigners.... ???? So just avoid annoying people. Fair enough. 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Non Immigrant Posted November 13, 2022 Author Popular Post Share Posted November 13, 2022 6 minutes ago, proton said: what you avoid fat, loud mouthed know it all's in cargo shorts who are probably sex tourists, have shady pasts at home or who don't even have the cash to be here legally, I'm shocked ???? I am not sure that negative representation is justified. Thais are typically very loud. The sex industry is part of local culture, so at least they are adopting the local norms a little. Not really sure what their appearance has to do with it. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparktrader Posted November 13, 2022 Share Posted November 13, 2022 1 hour ago, LaosLover said: People assimilate primarily for economic advancement. For us mainly retirees, that's not a motivation. Or make local friends. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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