over the many years of living in Thailand I have heard the phrase ‘farang know too much, farang mai dee'

 

I started to hear this phrase in bars when i first became proficient in Thai.

In my opinion this roughly translates to ‘foreigner who knows too much can’t be taken advantage of like a newbie can'

 

my question is, how does one who lives here long term avoid knowing too much?

it would seem to me the longer one lives here then the more wise one gets to their scams.

 

i also regularly feel the urge to help fresh fish

like when i see a young naive couple jump into a tuk tuk and the driver tells them 10 baht tour all day I really wanna tell them to get out, its a scam.

But as of yet I haven’t done it...

I think people that know so much should quit trying to convince people they do. 

Silence is golden. It's not about know when to speak, it's about knowing when to shut up.

2 minutes ago, sipi said:

Silence is golden. It's not about know when to speak, it's about knowing when to shut up.

so would you not help a poor unsuspecting tourist if you could?

2 minutes ago, sipi said:

Silence is golden. It's not about know when to speak, it's about knowing when to shut up.

“Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”

 

 

2 minutes ago, bob smith said:

so would you not help a poor unsuspecting tourist if you could?

Help them how? 

 

 

Just now, Yellowtail said:

Help them how? 

 

 

read my OP properly 

Just now, bob smith said:

so would you not help a poor unsuspecting tourist if you could?

If their life was in danger, of course.

If they're about to get scammed out of 50baht, probably not.

Just now, sipi said:

If their life was in danger, if course.

If they're about to get scammed out of 50baht, probably not.

how about 5,000 baht?

Just now, bob smith said:

how about 5,000 baht?

Probably, but I wouldn't make a scene. Have a quiet word to them.

1 minute ago, sipi said:

Probably, but I wouldn't make a scene. Have a quiet word to them.

i've always thought you were one of the good guys, sipi :) 

1 minute ago, bob smith said:

read my OP properly 

I read it twice. I don't often see young couples jumping into tuk-tuk where I am close enough to overheat the conversation.

 

So your plan would be to run over and tell them it's a scam? How often have you tried this? 

 

I think your whole premise is ridiculous. 

Just now, Yellowtail said:

I think your whole premise is ridiculous. 

desperate to portray thailand in a negative light 

 

4 minutes ago, bob smith said:

how about 5,000 baht?

It's only money, cheap lesson if they're young. About time they learn if they are old. 

Just now, save the frogs said:

desperate to portray thailand in a negative light 

 

Indeed. 

 

How many times did your mother tell you the stove was hot?

3 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

So your plan would be to run over and tell them it's a scam? How often have you tried this? 

you clearly havent read my OP, because if you did you would have seen that I have never tried it yet.

 

why are you lying?

Just now, bob smith said:

i've always thought you were one of the good guys, sipi :) 

My wife has been ripped off more than me. I think if someone is a con they don't care where the money comes from, whether you're Thai or a newbie or an old hat.

4 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

It's only money, cheap lesson if they're young. About time they learn if they are old. 

so in other words you condone scammers scamming folk?

 

unbelievable.

1 minute ago, bob smith said:

you clearly havent read my OP, because if you did you would have seen that I have never tried it yet.

Sorry, I think I read it before you edited it. 

1 minute ago, bob smith said:

 

why are you lying?

You started it. 

Just now, Yellowtail said:

Sorry, I think I read it before you edited it. 

 

wrong.

 

nice try though.

Just now, bob smith said:

so in other words you condone scammers scamming folk?

 

unbelievable.

Why are you lying? I never said I condoned it. 

Just now, Yellowtail said:

Why are you lying? I never said I condoned it. 

ridiculous. 

 

the guy who can’t read an OP properly is now making stuff up.

Just now, bob smith said:

ridiculous. 

 

the guy who can’t read an OP properly is now making stuff up.

Liar. I never said I condoned it.

 

 

6 minutes ago, bob smith said:

you clearly havent read my OP, because if you did you would have seen that I have never tried it yet.

 

why are you lying?

So you've (apparently) seen people getting scammed countless times and done nothing. 

 

Why do you condone people getting scammed? 

Bob, while I normally view you as font of Buddha-like equanimity, you are flat-out out of your mind to be dissing and arguing with penniless tuk tuk drivers (who are undoubtedly more fit than you).

 

Plus, other nearby tuk tuk drivers will be happy to join in on your kicking. They're hopped up on M-80 energy drinks -never forget that.

 

17 minutes ago, bob smith said:

read my OP properly 

I don't often see young couples jumping into tuk-tuk where I am close enough to overheat the conversation.

 

So your plan would be to run over and tell them it's a scam? 

 

DO you see this often? If so, why haven't you helped any of them?  

 

I think your whole premise is ridiculous. 

2 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

I think your whole premise is ridiculous. 

you're repeating yourself now.

 

Are you drunk?

Why do you ask? You will never have that problem. 

"Ear all, see all, say nowt;
Eyt all, sup all, pay nowt;
And if ivver tha does owt fer nowt -
Allus do it fer thissen"

 

Relatedly, I once saw a Brit (of course) actually interrupt some taxi negotiations between two Swedish sweeties (of course) and advise them to demand to pay less.

 

Another driver came over, gave him a shove and said, "thai boxing". And then sadly, everyone dispersed. Am I what Trump calls a race-traitor for hoping for a zesty slap around of the Brit?