Now starting: Chiang Mai Expats Dining Group

[JimTripper]

1 hour ago, suzannegoh said:

This is largely a generational thing.  Older people have always complained about younger generations.

He did not mention age, just digital nomads and tourists. They do however, tend to be younger. 

 

It's possible for an older established expat to be a digital nomad, and not have a pension or be retired 🤷🏻‍♂️

 

Anyhow, I will stop hijacking the room now and let the Op get back to the business of the thread, which was an expats dining group.

Edited November 2 by JimTripper

[Barley]

I would be interested.

 

I would add  Auf der Au restaurant buffet, since it can make almost anyone happy.

[Old Curmudgeon]

On 10/30/2024 at 8:28 AM, JimTripper said:

 

Interesting that you don't want digital nomads...

 

Actually don't want more than just digital nomads.

Several "groups": exactly "who" is being discussed.

I'd post the list here, but the thread would explode with indignation.

 

But one example, just to "test" response.

Vaxxed invited??    Or not??

[Old Curmudgeon]

1 hour ago, Barley said:

Auf der Au restaurant buffet, since it can make almost anyone happy.

 

Good idea.

Recent gatherings were "separate checks": rather awkward for waitress.

In future probably only buffets, because fixed price.

 

 

photo from Auf der Au web site.

Edited Tuesday at 09:32 AM by Old Curmudgeon

[JimTripper]

On 11/12/2024 at 4:27 PM, Old Curmudgeon said:

Good idea.

Recent gatherings were "separate checks": rather awkward for waitress.

In future probably only buffets, because fixed price.

 

 

photo from Auf der Au web site.

I don't think seperate checks are popular with Thai's. They usually like to have one person waiting at the end to pay.

 

Everyone "slinks out quietly" like a snake before the bill comes and they don't wait around and kind of "seem to be in a hurry" to exit the venue.

 

Any idea who that last person would be at the dinner? 🤣 (hint: whomever organized the event or acted like they were in charge while there).

Edited Thursday at 02:00 PM by JimTripper

[ChaiyaTH]

At least you can say without doubt; I failed in life. When you are in need of a dining group in CM 55555 What is next? Opening cigar shop number 10 while nobody wants it?

Edited Friday at 01:19 AM by ChaiyaTH

[JimTripper]

1 minute ago, ChaiyaTH said:

At least you can say without doubt; I failed in life. When you are in need of a dining group in CM 55555 What is next? Opening cigar shop number 10 while nobody wants it?

Why? Most people can't just walk into a restaurant cold turkey, sit down anywhere and start socializing.

[JBChiangRai]

In Chiang Rai the Ostraka monthly dining group gets between 10 and 25 people, sometimes set price, sometimes separate checks.

 

This photo was yesterday’s meeting, separate checks and one of our smaller meetings.

 

 

[Old Curmudgeon]

13 hours ago, JimTripper said:

Most people can't just walk into a restaurant cold turkey, sit down anywhere and start socializing.

 

Well, doing exactly that is an easy and often pleasant way to meet people, especially other expats.

 

Two examples -- hopefully helpful to my fellow expats who are a bit shy:

 

Many years ago, when "Butter is Better" first opened, I went for a meal.

Sat down and started studying the menu.

Another man at the next table, about my age, appeared to be a fellow expat.

Turned to him and said, "This is my first time here.  I hope you don't mind me asking, what is that you ordered and how is it?"

He explained.

So I said to the waitress, "I'll have what he ordered.  Same-same."

That was all it took to start a friendly and very pleasant conversation.

 

Just the other day, at a different restaurant, at a table by myself, another expat-looking man walked in alone and went past my table to the toilet.

Looked like a decent sort.

So when he returned, I said, "Good morning.  I'm eating alone today.  If you'd like some conversation with your meal, you're welcome to sit here."

He did and we had a good time exchanging expat stories.

 

I've found that many expats (many, but not all) are eager for conversation with other expats.

All they need is the opportunity.

Provide that opportunity and it is quite easy to make new friends.

 

[JimTripper]

1 hour ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

Well, doing exactly that is an easy and often pleasant way to meet people, especially other expats.

 

Two examples -- hopefully helpful to my fellow expats who are a bit shy:

 

Many years ago, when "Butter is Better" first opened, I went for a meal.

Sat down and started studying the menu.

Another man at the next table, about my age, appeared to be a fellow expat.

Turned to him and said, "This is my first time here.  I hope you don't mind me asking, what is that you ordered and how is it?"

He explained.

So I said to the waitress, "I'll have what he ordered.  Same-same."

That was all it took to start a friendly and very pleasant conversation.

 

Just the other day, at a different restaurant, at a table by myself, another expat-looking man walked in alone and went past my table to the toilet.

Looked like a decent sort.

So when he returned, I said, "Good morning.  I'm eating alone today.  If you'd like some conversation with your meal, you're welcome to sit here."

He did and we had a good time exchanging expat stories.

 

I've found that many expats (many, but not all) are eager for conversation with other expats.

All they need is the opportunity.

Provide that opportunity and it is quite easy to make new friends.

That's nice, but those type of people you are referring to don't need groups. Organized activities are off their radar. They are naturals.

[TheAppletons]

On 11/12/2024 at 1:22 AM, Old Curmudgeon said:

But one example, just to "test" response.

Vaxxed invited??    Or not??

 

  Say what?  

 

  

[1FinickyOne]

On 11/15/2024 at 10:31 PM, Old Curmudgeon said:

you're welcome to sit here."

it might be ok if you don't sit directly opposite in case the person sneezes or spits his food when he laughs... 

[1FinickyOne]

On 11/12/2024 at 4:22 PM, Old Curmudgeon said:

Vaxxed invited??    Or not??

vexed or not ok - spit shields a requirement

[Old Curmudgeon]

50 minutes ago, 1FinickyOne said:

vexed or not ok - spit shields a requirement

 

Two options that I see:

 

#1 - separate tables: vaxxed, not vaxxed.

 

#2 - simply not invite any vaxxed.  (Vaxxed can organize their own group.)

 

Any better options??

[JBChiangRai]

5 minutes ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

 

Two options that I see:

 

#1 - separate tables: vaxxed, not vaxxed.

 

#2 - simply not invite any vaxxed.  (Vaxxed can organize their own group.)

 

Any better options??

You’re all overthinking this.

 

Let anyone come who wants to come, host greets everyone and makes them welcome. Host chooses the restaurant.

 

I’ve been doing this for 8 years and we often get requests from restaurants to choose their restaurant resulting in great deals.

 

Look at this as “giving something back” rather than what can I get out of it.

[Old Curmudgeon]

 

Brief update on this new dining group for expats in Chiang Mai:

 

- Three meals so far:

•   All were lunch (no evening meals).
•   4 people each time.

 

- Restaurants so far:

•  Sausage King Garden -- best atmosphere for conversation
•  Route 66 -- cooking seems to have gone down slightly.   (Maybe new cooks.)
•  Kahm Saen -- beautiful restaurant, but too "formal" for relaxed conversation
•  Next restaurant:  still searching.  Goal is find 3-5 comfortable restaurants and rotate among those.)

 

- Lessons learned:

• No Thai women:  conversation tone changed when a woman was present.
• Separate checks, organized by the waitress, not by the group organizer (me).
• Before group meal, must evaluate restaurant first, not depend solely on suggestions here, or anywhere. 
• Previous lesson learned:  No missionaries (Jehovah's Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, etc.  Many in Northern Thailand, but not invited to this group.)
• How to handle problem of vaxxed people: still unsolved.

 

- Important note:  This dining group is not sponsored by, not approved by, and not associated in any way with this forum or any other expat group.  Posting here is merely a  "notice of community event".

[JimTripper]

3 minutes ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

 

Brief update on this new dining group for expats in Chiang Mai:

 

- Three meals so far:

•   All were lunch (no evening meals).
•   4 people each time.

 

- Restaurants so far:

•  Sausage King Garden -- best atmosphere for conversation
•  Route 66 -- cooking seems to have gone down slightly.   (Maybe new cooks.)
•  Kahm Saen -- beautiful restaurant, but too "formal" for relaxed conversation
•  Next restaurant:  still searching.  Goal is find 3-5 comfortable restaurants and rotate among those.)

 

- Lessons learned:

• No Thai women:  conversation tone changed when a woman was present.
• Separate checks, organized by the waitress, not by the group organizer (me).
• Before group meal, must evaluate restaurant first, not depend solely on suggestions here, or anywhere. 
• Previous lesson learned:  No missionaries (Jehovah's Witness, Seventh Day Adventist, etc.  Many in Northern Thailand, but not invited to this group.)
• How to handle problem of vaxxed people: still unsolved.

 

- Important note:  This dining group is not sponsored by, not approved by, and not associated in any way with this forum or any other expat group.  Posting here is merely a  "notice of community event".

Is it male only?

 

Was the tone changed by any women, or just Thai women? Can you provide further detail on exactly what happened to the tone?

 

How do people join?

[Old Curmudgeon]

32 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Let anyone come who wants to come, host greets everyone and makes them welcome.

 

Nope.

 

Give it up, @JBChiangRai,  I'm not going to follow that advice, no matter how often you post about it here.

 

The group described on this thread is invitation only.  There is a polite "vetting" process before any invitation is issued.  

[novacova]

13 minutes ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

How to handle problem of vaxxed people: still unsolved.

So you’re having a problem with vaxxed people? Why is that? Are they dominating the conversation with vaccine rhetoric and evangelizing vaccines? 

[novacova]

1 hour ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

Any better options??

 

52 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

Let anyone come who wants to come, host greets everyone and makes them welcome.

 

7 minutes ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

There is a polite "vetting" process before any invitation is issued.

“Vetting process”… seems a bit weird, only like minded allowed? Ever meet anyone haphazardly on the street before, that is completely different from you? Life would be quite a drag if only certain types of people were allowed in my circle.  A good healthy social life is the ability to socialize and accept folks from all backgrounds and ideas.  

[JimTripper]

How about dining Al Fresco? That fixes the vaccine problem.

 

Not much need for A/c in CM. It also cuts down on the bad breath and gas problem and provides an "easy out" if needed as you wander off into the garden.

 

It's also nice to get some fresh air and not be inside. In addition, if you don't click with someone it's much easier to move off discreetly when you are outside and mix with other group members vs being seated directly at an indoor table across from somone whereby it's taboo to not listen or get up.

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by JimTripper

[Old Curmudgeon]

2 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

How about dining Al Fresco? That fixes the vaccine problem ... It's also nice to get some fresh air and not be inside.

 

Thanks, @JimTripper for that good idea.

 

[JimTripper]

6 minutes ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

Thanks, @JimTripper for that good idea.

You never responded about the females issue?

 

What vibe are you looking for without women? Is it a male bonding thing? Or, more like guys going out for beers?

[Old Curmudgeon]

6 minutes ago, JimTripper said:

You never responded about the females issue?

What vibe are you looking for without women?

 

Reply:

 

Pattern is British gentleman's club -- but very informal.

Few American men have ever experienced that.

 

Zero "diversity".

Zero political correctness.

Zero Cultural Marxism.

A group where Rudyard Kipling would fit in easily.

 

Is that too much to ask for in today's world?

Could be.

I aim to find out.

Edited 2 hours ago by Old Curmudgeon

[novacova]

4 minutes ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

 

Reply:

 

Pattern is British gentleman's club -- but very informal.

Few American men have ever experienced that.

 

Zero "diversity".

Zero political correctness.

Zero Cultural Marxism.

A group where Rudyard Kipling would fit in easily.

 

Is that too much to ask for in today's world?

Could be.

I aim to find out.

Yeah right, I most certainly won’t be attending and refuse to be apart of any anti social club. Though I’m nothing Left in ideology, most people I know and some of my best most trusted friends are completely opposite of my world view. It’s a big world out there and there’s a lot to take in and explore don’t be afraid adventurous in your late years, you’ll live longer.

[roo860]

On 11/15/2024 at 8:42 AM, JBChiangRai said:

In Chiang Rai the Ostraka monthly dining group gets between 10 and 25 people, sometimes set price, sometimes separate checks.

 

This photo was yesterday’s meeting, separate checks and one of our smaller meetings.

 

 

Him with the hat on is going to lose his fingers!!!

[roo860]

1 hour ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

 

Two options that I see:

 

#1 - separate tables: vaxxed, not vaxxed.

 

#2 - simply not invite any vaxxed.  (Vaxxed can organize their own group.)

 

Any better options??

Are you actually serious about this vax non vax thing?

[Bill97]

1 hour ago, Old Curmudgeon said:

No Thai women

But Thai men and ladyboys are welcome.  

[Thailand]

42 minutes ago, roo860 said:

Are you actually serious about this vax non vax thing?

Can you get certificates that say you were non vaxed?

[JBChiangRai]

1 hour ago, roo860 said:

Him with the hat on is going to lose his fingers!!!

The hat is to hide a hair transplant!