Took my university educated GF on a trip round Vietnam, Cambodia.

I was astonished that she had never heard of the Khymer Rouge, or anything about what happened in Cambodia.

Similar in Vietnam.  Never heard of the Vietnam war.  Not really interested either, just so long as the photos come out OK.

 

Is this normal?

How old are you and how old is your gf?

I think you'd be surprised at how little young women from many countries know or care about these things.

For me, it's normal 

one of my friend told me " if it's not important for my every life, I am not interested " 

they know very little, but in their everylife, they are clever 

other way of thinking 

I worked with a young guy in England who couldn't locate it on a map of the world and couldn't name a single country.  History same. No interest in these subjects whatsoever.

The wife of a friend of mine got her degree at Monash in Melbourne but can't find Australia on a map. Regardless of this, the sun still rises.

4 minutes ago, Aforek said:

For me, it's normal 

one of my friend told me " if it's not important for my every life, I am not interested " 

they know very little, but in their everylife, they are clever 

other way of thinking 

Exactly correct.

24 minutes ago, Denim said:

I worked with a young guy in England who couldn't locate it on a map of the world and couldn't name a single country.  History same. No interest in these subjects whatsoever.

Knowing a bit about history isn't really related to knowing where a country is on a map.

I remember growing up with all sorts of wars in the news, Cambodia, Yugoslavia, Chechnya, Timor etc.  But wouldn't have been able to find them on a map.

 

But for context, isn't it a bit like a genocide happening in Wales, and the English not generally knowing about it?

I guess to most Thai's it doesn't matter, they already think Thailand is the center of the Universe, I would also question them on Geography, 

 

37 minutes ago, Aforek said:

For me, it's normal 

one of my friend told me " if it's not important for my every life, I am not interested " 

they know very little, but in their everylife, they are clever 

other way of thinking 

I asked a (younger than Thai GF) Philippine friend if she had heard of the above historic events.  She said it was taught in School and most Phillipine people would have known about it.

 

I guess its quite important to me to be able to discuss things and get an opinion back when visiting historical places, like a regular western GF would.  Have an interest in the place you are visiting - rather than just post up photographs with no knowledge or interest behind them.

Thais have a lack of interest in most things unless it makes them money.

 

Thats all they care about.

Edited April 25, 20233 yr by bogs smith

My wife is pretty smart apart from speaking good English we can discuss things daily sometimes she surprises me with the things she does know, 

Knowing very little about what happens, and has happened, in other countries seems to me to be frequent in many countries, even in very large and important countries, not only in Thailand.
And the results have been seen and can be seen.

Zero..not her not anyone else I ever knew here ????????

 

 

I've told my wife (Laotian) about some historical events. She feigns interest but at the end of the day, doesn't really give a flying ****.

My Thai gf knows little about other countries, and she cares little about it.

And the few things she knows are mostly not important. Most Thais know a little about Switzerland and now maybe Germany because of the royals.

 

But is it important?

Sure, in a way it is nice to know which countries exist and where they are and maybe what is happening in them. And maybe a little bit of history. And I am sure if I would visit a new county I would lean about it, like reading in a travel guide.

But for about 90% of the countries in this world, who really cares?

I have to admit I looked up Sudan the other day. I knew it's in Africa but that was about the end of my knowledge about that country. And now I saw where it is on the map. And now? Now I can forget that again, because I don't really care. 

Other examples: I know there was the Vietnam war, and I have an idea about when it happened and who fought against who. But did that information ever help me in my life? Or do I expect that knowledge will be important for me and my future? No.

 

My gf knows the names of many people in the building where we live together. I don't. She also knows other things about them and what is happening in the neighborhood. Mostly I don't. But I can tell you what's going on in US politics, even if I never visited that country or intend to visit it.

So maybe my gf concentrates more on the important information for her life. And I am sure she is not alone with that way of thinking. 

15 minutes ago, federicoP said:

Knowing very little about what happens, and has happened, in other countries seems to me to be frequent in many countries, even in very large and important countries, not only in Thailand.
And the results have been seen and can be seen.

And then there are people who should know about countries and history, and maybe they even know, and then they ignore all that information.

The recent 20-year war in Afghanistan is a "wonderful" example. People should have learned from history. They obviously didn't. 

She doesn't know and doesn't care. Which I found refreshing at first. Now, my kid on the other hand has an appetite for knowing about the world. That part of her schooling won't be done at school but rather at home. 

My partner knows Liverpool FC is based in London.....

Normal.

 

Try asking your gf which is closer and/or bigger - the sun or the moon.

 

It's like in university when my dorm mate (a product of the Arizona public school system who got good enough grades to be admitted as a diversity student but was still dumber than a coconut) and I went to sign up for freshman electives and I suggested we take Latin.

 

His response: "Nah don't need it, I ain't never going to no Latin America."

 

He dropped out after the first semester and apparently did quite well for himself in real estate development years later.

 

 

 

 

Edited April 26, 20233 yr by Sandboxer

Does your Thai partner know much about history outside of Thailand?

 

my history.....heck no.

1 hour ago, federicoP said:

Knowing very little about what happens, and has happened, in other countries seems to me to be frequent in many countries, even in very large and important countries, not only in Thailand.
And the results have been seen and can be seen.

I was reading in The Guardian how only 9% of English people knew that it was St. George's day last Sunday.

22 minutes ago, homeseeker said:

My partner knows Liverpool FC is based in London.....

Indeed. My brother-in-law wears a shirt emblazoned with "Man U United". When I try and explain why it's wrong he says he's supported them all his life and knows better than me.

My Thai GF doesn't even know that God created the world in 7 days.

5 minutes ago, ozimoron said:

My Thai GF doesn't even know that God created the world in 7 days.

My missus does n't even know who god is.

 

She's a brain surgeon by profession

TBH ... on the fence now, if 'history' is needed.   I'm glad I was taught and learned many things about the world history & such.  Seems not so much of it is taught today in USA schools.

 

BUT ... since it is being rewritten in my life time, one has to wonder how much was rewritten before what I was told, and wasn't almost accurate, to be kind.

 

'Reefer Madness' a fine example of propaganda, and now all of the sudden, there are UFOs, as if they never existed.   Along with the lies that led to wars in just my lifetime.

 

Since nobody learns from history ... is it needed ?

 

Would have rather had more sciences (ex: computer), or applicable trades taught, without electing one or another direction when given the choice.

 

Our High School, at 8th grade, you decided which:

Business;  secretarial skills

College Prep; self explanatory

Trades; carpentry, welding, bricklaying, electrical, cooking, etc.

 

I could have done without the more History, English Lit, Latin, Spanish, POD, French and Social science, Art & Music, and added something that could prep me for a job, instead of college, which I didn't attend anyway.

 

Teaching investing, RE, stocks, commodities would have saved me time & money, along with wasting a decade of 'salaried jobs' and given me earlier retirement.

 

Along with, IF the world goes to sh!t, then I prefer to be right here.  Most Thai ladies can live off the land.   Yank chickies well starve or pimp themselves out to whoever has the most firearms ... ????

Same as everywhere in the world, uneducated village folks don't care much. As for importance of such knowledge - good to have topics other than somtums and weather to discuss with your partner.

I've known a whole lot of them who cannot find their own village on a map . . . 

58 minutes ago, NanLaew said:

I was reading in The Guardian how only 9% of English people knew that it was St. George's day last Sunday.

That's because it's not a bank holiday and we no longer have dragons roaming the countryside.

2 hours ago, bogs smith said:

Thais have a lack of interest in most things unless it makes them money.

 

Thats all they care about.

Or if they can eat it. Mrs is involved in the election but has no idea about the parties or policies, just after a few baht. When took her to NZ she thought that was Australia on the map, degree also.

Edited April 26, 20233 yr by proton

2 hours ago, sharksy said:

I asked a (younger than Thai GF) Philippine friend if she had heard of the above historic events.  She said it was taught in School and most Phillipine people would have known about it.

 

I guess its quite important to me to be able to discuss things and get an opinion back when visiting historical places, like a regular western GF would.  Have an interest in the place you are visiting - rather than just post up photographs with no knowledge or interest behind them.

Well yes, but then the Philippines are a far more "outward looking" society, and their education reflects that.

 

I suspect that the same applies to Malaysia and Singapore.

Edited April 26, 20233 yr by herfiehandbag