Is It Just Me, Or Are Thai Staff Getting Ruder By The Day?

[SoCal1990]

A heartfelt fable and a tribute to the Real Bob Smith, wherever he may be. 
 

Alright, lads, I need to get this off my chest. What has happened to customer service in Thailand?

 

Back in the day, when I first came here, you could walk into a bar or restaurant, be greeted with a smile, a cold beer would show up right away and you would actually be treated like a paying customer. Now? You’d think I’d walked in and personally insulted the entire family of the restaurant owner just by sitting down and smiling.

 

Case in point is last night. I went to this so-called “expat-friendly” bar on Koh Samet, just looking to unwind with a cold one and a plate of food after a long day. Ordered a simple meal of steak, well-done, side of chips, nothing fancy innit. I even asked politely in Thai (I always make the effort, you know me right), and what do I get? A blank stare, a half-hearted grunt, and the waitress shuffling off like I’d just asked her to solve a physics equation.

 

Food comes out. Steak’s bleeding, chips are ice cold. So, as any normal person would, I politely call her over and say, “Excuse me, khrap, steak mai suk, fries yen mak mak na khrap.” (For you lot who don’t speak Thai, that means “undercooked steak, very cold fries.” See? Polite. Respectful.)

 

And then, BAM! Full not having it attitude. Eye roll, huffing, snatches the plate away like I’d personally offended her ancestors. Ten minutes later, food comes back. The steak? Burnt to a crisp.The chips? Same cold, soggy mess. And to top it off, she practically slammed the plate down on the table like she was about to challenge me to a Muay Thai fight. No apology, no “sorry for the mix-up Khun Bob,” nothing.

 

Now, I get it that times are tough and people are stressed, but why is it that farangs like me seem to get treated worse than the local soi dogs these days? I was polite. I was patient. I even spoke their language! And yet, this is the treatment I get?

 

It’s not the first time, either. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had similar experiences. Is it Tik-Tok poisoning their minds? Economic stress? Just a general hatred of handsome, well dressed farangs like me now? I had the Rolex on. They could see I'm not a slouch. I don’t know, but Thailand is not the same place I first fell in love with mates.

 

So I ask, is anyone else experiencing this, or am I just extremely unlucky?

 

Bob.

[sqwakvfr]

I know how you feel but I no longer send food back.  The second time is usually worse and who know what they did to the food.  A friendly greeting and good customer service is rare. I have had to lower my expectations a lot in the last few years.  

[blaze master]

Lived in thailand 11 plus years and never had this issue. 

 

Maybe both you and thailand have changed?

 

 

[hotsun]

Whities have a bad reputation now because of all the russians. They cant tell us apart

[FritsSikkink]

1 hour ago, SoCal1990 said:

A heartfelt fable and a tribute to the Real Bob Smith, wherever he may be. 
 

Alright, lads, I need to get this off my chest. What has happened to customer service in Thailand?

 

Back in the day, when I first came here, you could walk into a bar or restaurant, be greeted with a smile, a cold beer would show up right away and you would actually be treated like a paying customer. Now? You’d think I’d walked in and personally insulted the entire family of the restaurant owner just by sitting down and smiling.

 

Case in point is last night. I went to this so-called “expat-friendly” bar on Koh Samet, just looking to unwind with a cold one and a plate of food after a long day. Ordered a simple meal of steak, well-done, side of chips, nothing fancy innit. I even asked politely in Thai (I always make the effort, you know me right), and what do I get? A blank stare, a half-hearted grunt, and the waitress shuffling off like I’d just asked her to solve a physics equation.

 

Food comes out. Steak’s bleeding, chips are ice cold. So, as any normal person would, I politely call her over and say, “Excuse me, khrap, steak mai suk, fries yen mak mak na khrap.” (For you lot who don’t speak Thai, that means “undercooked steak, very cold fries.” See? Polite. Respectful.)

 

And then, BAM! Full not having it attitude. Eye roll, huffing, snatches the plate away like I’d personally offended her ancestors. Ten minutes later, food comes back. The steak? Burnt to a crisp.The chips? Same cold, soggy mess. And to top it off, she practically slammed the plate down on the table like she was about to challenge me to a Muay Thai fight. No apology, no “sorry for the mix-up Khun Bob,” nothing.

 

Now, I get it that times are tough and people are stressed, but why is it that farangs like me seem to get treated worse than the local soi dogs these days? I was polite. I was patient. I even spoke their language! And yet, this is the treatment I get?

 

It’s not the first time, either. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had similar experiences. Is it Tik-Tok poisoning their minds? Economic stress? Just a general hatred of handsome, well dressed farangs like me now? I had the Rolex on. They could see I'm not a slouch. I don’t know, but Thailand is not the same place I first fell in love with mates.

 

So I ask, is anyone else experiencing this, or am I just extremely unlucky?

 

Bob.

You shouldn't eat a steak well done to start with, it kills the taste.

[safarimike11]

1 hour ago, SoCal1990 said:

A heartfelt fable and a tribute to the Real Bob Smith, wherever he may be. 
 

Alright, lads, I need to get this off my chest. What has happened to customer service in Thailand?

 

Back in the day, when I first came here, you could walk into a bar or restaurant, be greeted with a smile, a cold beer would show up right away and you would actually be treated like a paying customer. Now? You’d think I’d walked in and personally insulted the entire family of the restaurant owner just by sitting down and smiling.

 

Case in point is last night. I went to this so-called “expat-friendly” bar on Koh Samet, just looking to unwind with a cold one and a plate of food after a long day. Ordered a simple meal of steak, well-done, side of chips, nothing fancy innit. I even asked politely in Thai (I always make the effort, you know me right), and what do I get? A blank stare, a half-hearted grunt, and the waitress shuffling off like I’d just asked her to solve a physics equation.

 

Food comes out. Steak’s bleeding, chips are ice cold. So, as any normal person would, I politely call her over and say, “Excuse me, khrap, steak mai suk, fries yen mak mak na khrap.” (For you lot who don’t speak Thai, that means “undercooked steak, very cold fries.” See? Polite. Respectful.)

 

And then, BAM! Full not having it attitude. Eye roll, huffing, snatches the plate away like I’d personally offended her ancestors. Ten minutes later, food comes back. The steak? Burnt to a crisp.The chips? Same cold, soggy mess. And to top it off, she practically slammed the plate down on the table like she was about to challenge me to a Muay Thai fight. No apology, no “sorry for the mix-up Khun Bob,” nothing.

 

Now, I get it that times are tough and people are stressed, but why is it that farangs like me seem to get treated worse than the local soi dogs these days? I was polite. I was patient. I even spoke their language! And yet, this is the treatment I get?

 

It’s not the first time, either. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had similar experiences. Is it Tik-Tok poisoning their minds? Economic stress? Just a general hatred of handsome, well dressed farangs like me now? I had the Rolex on. They could see I'm not a slouch. I don’t know, but Thailand is not the same place I first fell in love with mates.

 

So I ask, is anyone else experiencing this, or am I just extremely unlucky?

 

Bob.

Best to give that restaurant a body-swerve then.

[daveAustin]

Very rarely had this issue. What do you look like? 😋

Having said that, some of the poorest food I’ve had here was on Koh Samet and that must’ve been 15y + ago. Agree above though; don’t send food back. If blatant rudeness, just chuck your money on the table without taking a bite or saying a word and walk. 

 

[sqwakvfr]

42 minutes ago, hotsun said:

Whities have a bad reputation now because of all the russians. They cant tell us apart

I'm not white, black, Russian, Indian or of Middle East descent. 

[hankypankee]

2 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

A heartfelt fable and a tribute to the Real Bob Smith, wherever he may be. 
 

Alright, lads, I need to get this off my chest. What has happened to customer service in Thailand?

 

Back in the day, when I first came here, you could walk into a bar or restaurant, be greeted with a smile, a cold beer would show up right away and you would actually be treated like a paying customer. Now? You’d think I’d walked in and personally insulted the entire family of the restaurant owner just by sitting down and smiling.

 

Case in point is last night. I went to this so-called “expat-friendly” bar on Koh Samet, just looking to unwind with a cold one and a plate of food after a long day. Ordered a simple meal of steak, well-done, side of chips, nothing fancy innit. I even asked politely in Thai (I always make the effort, you know me right), and what do I get? A blank stare, a half-hearted grunt, and the waitress shuffling off like I’d just asked her to solve a physics equation.

 

Food comes out. Steak’s bleeding, chips are ice cold. So, as any normal person would, I politely call her over and say, “Excuse me, khrap, steak mai suk, fries yen mak mak na khrap.” (For you lot who don’t speak Thai, that means “undercooked steak, very cold fries.” See? Polite. Respectful.)

 

And then, BAM! Full not having it attitude. Eye roll, huffing, snatches the plate away like I’d personally offended her ancestors. Ten minutes later, food comes back. The steak? Burnt to a crisp.The chips? Same cold, soggy mess. And to top it off, she practically slammed the plate down on the table like she was about to challenge me to a Muay Thai fight. No apology, no “sorry for the mix-up Khun Bob,” nothing.

 

Now, I get it that times are tough and people are stressed, but why is it that farangs like me seem to get treated worse than the local soi dogs these days? I was polite. I was patient. I even spoke their language! And yet, this is the treatment I get?

 

It’s not the first time, either. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had similar experiences. Is it Tik-Tok poisoning their minds? Economic stress? Just a general hatred of handsome, well dressed farangs like me now? I had the Rolex on. They could see I'm not a slouch. I don’t know, but Thailand is not the same place I first fell in love with mates.

 

So I ask, is anyone else experiencing this, or am I just extremely unlucky?

 

Bob.

Well done. Very much like a real Bob Smith post. He will surely be honored by your shout out to him. As we know, he has no ego. Maybe he's on the beach in Spain right now reading your tribute. 

[steven100]

some places are like that,  some places are ok. I think they just have a bad attitude and are not customer friendly.  If that happens I don't go back. 

[save the frogs]

are you vacationing or do you live in the area?

restaurants are trial and error. when you find good ones with nice staff and/or nice owners, you go regularly and keep giving them your patronage and when you find one with crappy staff, you take the loss.

maybe don't order the most expensive thing on the menu when you are trying a new restaurant.  

 

[SAFETY FIRST]

3 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

Back in the day, when I first came here, you could walk into a bar or restaurant, be greeted with a smile

Ha ha ha, get used to it.

I reckon it's all the disrespectful foreigners arriving, the Thai's are fed up with all the nasty, hostile, abusive, moaning foreigners. 

 

I've commented a few times on this forum, how times have changed over the last 25 years. 

 

It's not only restaurants, it's government departments, shopping centres, transportation services etc, 

 

At times I'm ashamed, all these toxic foreigners are ruining things, the good times are over....all gone. 

 

 

[simon43]

2 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

A heartfelt fable and a tribute to the Real Bob Smith, wherever he may be. 
 

Alright, lads, I need to get this off my chest. What has happened to customer service in Thailand?

 

Back in the day, when I first came here, you could walk into a bar or restaurant, be greeted with a smile, a cold beer would show up right away and you would actually be treated like a paying customer. Now? You’d think I’d walked in and personally insulted the entire family of the restaurant owner just by sitting down and smiling.

 

Case in point is last night. I went to this so-called “expat-friendly” bar on Koh Samet, just looking to unwind with a cold one and a plate of food after a long day. Ordered a simple meal of steak, well-done, side of chips, nothing fancy innit. I even asked politely in Thai (I always make the effort, you know me right), and what do I get? A blank stare, a half-hearted grunt, and the waitress shuffling off like I’d just asked her to solve a physics equation.

 

Food comes out. Steak’s bleeding, chips are ice cold. So, as any normal person would, I politely call her over and say, “Excuse me, khrap, steak mai suk, fries yen mak mak na khrap.” (For you lot who don’t speak Thai, that means “undercooked steak, very cold fries.” See? Polite. Respectful.)

 

And then, BAM! Full not having it attitude. Eye roll, huffing, snatches the plate away like I’d personally offended her ancestors. Ten minutes later, food comes back. The steak? Burnt to a crisp.The chips? Same cold, soggy mess. And to top it off, she practically slammed the plate down on the table like she was about to challenge me to a Muay Thai fight. No apology, no “sorry for the mix-up Khun Bob,” nothing.

 

Now, I get it that times are tough and people are stressed, but why is it that farangs like me seem to get treated worse than the local soi dogs these days? I was polite. I was patient. I even spoke their language! And yet, this is the treatment I get?

 

It’s not the first time, either. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had similar experiences. Is it Tik-Tok poisoning their minds? Economic stress? Just a general hatred of handsome, well dressed farangs like me now? I had the Rolex on. They could see I'm not a slouch. I don’t know, but Thailand is not the same place I first fell in love with mates.

 

So I ask, is anyone else experiencing this, or am I just extremely unlucky?

 

Bob.

It's just you

[Hawaiian]

2 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

A heartfelt fable and a tribute to the Real Bob Smith, wherever he may be. 
 

Alright, lads, I need to get this off my chest. What has happened to customer service in Thailand?

 

Back in the day, when I first came here, you could walk into a bar or restaurant, be greeted with a smile, a cold beer would show up right away and you would actually be treated like a paying customer. Now? You’d think I’d walked in and personally insulted the entire family of the restaurant owner just by sitting down and smiling.

 

Case in point is last night. I went to this so-called “expat-friendly” bar on Koh Samet, just looking to unwind with a cold one and a plate of food after a long day. Ordered a simple meal of steak, well-done, side of chips, nothing fancy innit. I even asked politely in Thai (I always make the effort, you know me right), and what do I get? A blank stare, a half-hearted grunt, and the waitress shuffling off like I’d just asked her to solve a physics equation.

 

Food comes out. Steak’s bleeding, chips are ice cold. So, as any normal person would, I politely call her over and say, “Excuse me, khrap, steak mai suk, fries yen mak mak na khrap.” (For you lot who don’t speak Thai, that means “undercooked steak, very cold fries.” See? Polite. Respectful.)

 

And then, BAM! Full not having it attitude. Eye roll, huffing, snatches the plate away like I’d personally offended her ancestors. Ten minutes later, food comes back. The steak? Burnt to a crisp.The chips? Same cold, soggy mess. And to top it off, she practically slammed the plate down on the table like she was about to challenge me to a Muay Thai fight. No apology, no “sorry for the mix-up Khun Bob,” nothing.

 

Now, I get it that times are tough and people are stressed, but why is it that farangs like me seem to get treated worse than the local soi dogs these days? I was polite. I was patient. I even spoke their language! And yet, this is the treatment I get?

 

It’s not the first time, either. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had similar experiences. Is it Tik-Tok poisoning their minds? Economic stress? Just a general hatred of handsome, well dressed farangs like me now? I had the Rolex on. They could see I'm not a slouch. I don’t know, but Thailand is not the same place I first fell in love with mates.

 

So I ask, is anyone else experiencing this, or am I just extremely unlucky?

 

Bob.

A few months ago we visited a friend in Phetchaburi.  We stayed at a resort in the middle of nowhere and went to a local restaurant for food and drinks.  The owner's four year old daughter waited on us.  Smart and polite little girl who provided excellent service.  Of course, she a received a generous tip. 

[flyingtlger]

53 minutes ago, sqwakvfr said:

I'm not white, black, Russian, Indian or of Middle East descent. 

That's probably your problem.

You can thanks the Indians for the bad treatment.

I have seen so many Indians complain about everything and then have the audacity to demand a discount. 

That seems to be their MO......

[scubascuba3]

Some places have an atmosphere, usually caused my the waitresses, maybe one in particular, one place i go to i call them the tip nazis, another place could cut the atmosphere with a knife, frosty or what

[sqwakvfr]

53 minutes ago, flyingtlger said:

That's probably your problem.

You can thanks the Indians for the bad treatment.

I have seen so many Indians complain about everything and then have the audacity to demand a discount. 

That seems to be their MO......

I'm not Indian so how does their behavior impact me?  What exactly is my problem? Were you ever present during any of dining experiences in the Land of Smiles. 

[Harrisfan]

4 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

A heartfelt fable and a tribute to the Real Bob Smith, wherever he may be. 
 

Alright, lads, I need to get this off my chest. What has happened to customer service in Thailand?

 

Back in the day, when I first came here, you could walk into a bar or restaurant, be greeted with a smile, a cold beer would show up right away and you would actually be treated like a paying customer. Now? You’d think I’d walked in and personally insulted the entire family of the restaurant owner just by sitting down and smiling.

 

Case in point is last night. I went to this so-called “expat-friendly” bar on Koh Samet, just looking to unwind with a cold one and a plate of food after a long day. Ordered a simple meal of steak, well-done, side of chips, nothing fancy innit. I even asked politely in Thai (I always make the effort, you know me right), and what do I get? A blank stare, a half-hearted grunt, and the waitress shuffling off like I’d just asked her to solve a physics equation.

 

Food comes out. Steak’s bleeding, chips are ice cold. So, as any normal person would, I politely call her over and say, “Excuse me, khrap, steak mai suk, fries yen mak mak na khrap.” (For you lot who don’t speak Thai, that means “undercooked steak, very cold fries.” See? Polite. Respectful.)

 

And then, BAM! Full not having it attitude. Eye roll, huffing, snatches the plate away like I’d personally offended her ancestors. Ten minutes later, food comes back. The steak? Burnt to a crisp.The chips? Same cold, soggy mess. And to top it off, she practically slammed the plate down on the table like she was about to challenge me to a Muay Thai fight. No apology, no “sorry for the mix-up Khun Bob,” nothing.

 

Now, I get it that times are tough and people are stressed, but why is it that farangs like me seem to get treated worse than the local soi dogs these days? I was polite. I was patient. I even spoke their language! And yet, this is the treatment I get?

 

It’s not the first time, either. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve had similar experiences. Is it Tik-Tok poisoning their minds? Economic stress? Just a general hatred of handsome, well dressed farangs like me now? I had the Rolex on. They could see I'm not a slouch. I don’t know, but Thailand is not the same place I first fell in love with mates.

 

So I ask, is anyone else experiencing this, or am I just extremely unlucky?

 

Bob.

Excuse me is English

[Harrisfan]

3 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

You shouldn't eat a steak well done to start with, it kills the taste.

Linked to cancer and kills vitamins. Steak should be rare or med-rare.

[Harrisfan]

290 baht 100 day grain fed imported steak in Korat. Cooked to perfection. People in Korat are super friendly.

 

What was your steak and price?

[Lacessit]

For a guy who speaks Thai, the OP seems to be unaware complaining is the same thing as insulting the person in Thai culture.

 

I have my favorite restaurants. I experiment occasionally with new ones.

 

If they fail to meet my expectations by way of food or service, I say nothing, and never go back.

[spidermike007]

I don't find that to be the case overall. But in areas where there are alot of tourists, you do find creeps who are jaded. 

 

I was in Hua Hin recently, and encountered a real vermin. I've stayed at this place a few times in the past. I booked two rooms for my friend and I, and for the first time in the 19 years that I've been living in Thailand, and the nearly 50 years that I've been coming to Thailand I was asked to show a visa stamp. I don't carry my passport unless I'm leaving the country or going to a bank to make an important transaction. I did have a color copy of my passport with my visa stamp on the back, however they said that they required one of my friend also, even though the booking was entirely in my name and paid for by me. 

 

I feel that the man at the counter was simply flexing his muscles and asking for something that is not required. I will now have to fight to get a refund with Agoda. I asked the hotel for a refund and they said no. The man was very rude, very arrogant, very obnoxious, and totally uncooperative. 

 

This hotel knowing that they have a very unusual policy of requiring a visa stamp should be willing to offer a credit for a future stay at a minimum, on the spot when they are turning away a guest. I started raising my voice and screaming at the man behind the counter because I was getting no cooperation, you cannot stay here, we will not give you your money back, and get lost. That arrogance set me off, and the man actually threatened to call the police. Is this how you treat a customer? 

 

The only mistake I made was not getting his name. I sincerely hope he loses his job over this, he doesn't deserve that job. Neither does the manager.

 

This was a dreadful way to start a vacation. We were left scrambling for a room at the last minute for the same day. Not only will I never come back to this hotel, I would encourage every single person who reads this review to not book with this hotel, as they have no idea how to treat customers properly. I know I cannot call them out by name, but the letter B appears at the beginning of their name, and a very low digit follows that. Ha! 

[ChockyTheCat]

I think a big problem is they get no training at all, one day working in a paddy field the next day a restaurant manager, and it’s not just restaurants it’s the same in big stores like HomePro, you ask the simplest question about where a certain product is or if something is in stock and it’s , no have, finish, without even looking, it does drive you crazy but that’s life in Thailand for you !

[steven100]

26 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

I started raising my voice and screaming at the man behind the counter because I was getting no cooperation, you cannot stay here, we will not give you your money back, and get lost. That arrogance set me off, and the man actually threatened to call the police. Is this how you treat a customer? 

 

I find it strange that yelling at someone here does little and usually makes the situation worse,  yet when a thai woman is arguing with someone they will scream at each other to see who is the loudest. 

 

They will always threaten to call the police in any tiny or big situation,  that's their answer to all confrontations ....   they will call then at the drop of a hat as they know the cops will take the Thai's side over farang. 

[Walker88]

4 hours ago, hotsun said:

Whities have a bad reputation now because of all the russians. They cant tell us apart

I think you might be confusing MAGAs with Russians.

 

MAGAs are the loud, dumb-looking ones in cargo shorts and Chang wifebeaters over their flabby, tatted, wrinkled skin.

 

[hotsun]

1 minute ago, Walker88 said:

I think you might be confusing MAGAs with Russians.

 

MAGAs are the loud, dumb-looking ones in cargo shorts and Chang wifebeaters over their flabby, tatted, wrinkled skin.

 

I dont think there are many russians that want to “make america great again”.

[Grumpy one]

Next time order a salad and a glass of water, then tell us about the service   

[Harrisfan]

1 hour ago, Walker88 said:

I think you might be confusing MAGAs with Russians.

 

MAGAs are the loud, dumb-looking ones in cargo shorts and Chang wifebeaters over their flabby, tatted, wrinkled skin.

 

Have not seen a Chang singlet for 5 years or more. I think you are sitting in a dark room and just making things up.

[potless]

7 hours ago, SoCal1990 said:

A heartfelt fable and a tribute to the Real Bob Smith, wherever he may be. 

Thats a clever touch. His next thread may be "Why are people stealing my thunder?"

[connda]

It's just you.