Assimilation with Thai Culture

[Non Immigrant]

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?

[EVENKEEL]

Drink beer with ice

[Will B Good]

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.

[Maha Sarakham]

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.

[LaosLover]

People assimilate primarily for economic advancement. For us mainly retirees, that's not a motivation.

[BritManToo]

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. 

[Non Immigrant]

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 

[Non Immigrant]

3 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

The longer you stay in Thailand, the less you want to associate with Thais. 

I wonder why that is.

[Non Immigrant]

24 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Drink beer with ice

Oh <deleted>, does that mean I have assimilated, haha

[sqwakvfr]

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.  

[Sparktrader]

50 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Drink beer with ice

Yes I do. I speak Thai. I avoid farangs.

[Sparktrader]

27 minutes ago, Non Immigrant said:

I wonder why that is.

He cant speak Thai. Makes no effort.

[NativeBob]

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 ...

[proton]

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.

[Maha Sarakham]

1 minute ago, proton said:

But it's not assimilation, you are always the foreigner.

I think that is why it lost its appeal.

[Non Immigrant]

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.

[GammaGlobulin]

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Non Immigrant]

12 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

I avoid farangs

Why?

[Non Immigrant]

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.

[Non Immigrant]

19 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

He cant speak Thai. Makes no effort.

Interesting, what do you get if you make an effort?

[Sparktrader]

2 minutes ago, Non Immigrant said:

Interesting, what do you get if you make an effort?

More experiences.

[proton]

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 ????

[Sparktrader]

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.

[Sparktrader]

12 minutes ago, Non Immigrant said:

Why?

Dont want to listen to all the whining.

[simon43]

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.... ????

[Non Immigrant]

5 minutes ago, Sparktrader said:

More experiences.

That's for sure.

 

A rollercoaster ???? of experiences.

[Sparktrader]

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.

[Sparktrader]

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.

[Non Immigrant]

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. 

[Sparktrader]

1 hour ago, LaosLover said:

People assimilate primarily for economic advancement. For us mainly retirees, that's not a motivation.

Or make local friends.