Opinion Russian Teacher to Thais: Drop ‘Farang’ if 'Ni Hao' Offends

[Packer]

10 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

 

What do you think Thais call other Thais in the third person?

 

I've already given an example of that in this thread. 

 

You're obviously in need of Thai language lessons, go get some. 🙂 

[MalcolmB]

1 minute ago, MartinL said:

 

 

Reply to this and you CAN have the last word in our little conversation.

CAN and MAN and Stan annd Dan  are definitely not pronounced as the thai word for potato.

it is a different vowel. 
 

The mun in mun farang is the same vowel as in English you would say “fun” or “bun” or “run”.

 

This is a forum for learning.

If you are going to correct somebody make sure you are actually correct yourself.

 

Now go and ask your wife or any thai to say it to you.

 

It rhymes with fun, run, or bun, not man, Dan, Stan or CAN.

 

I have spent time now trying to help you, if you won’t listen then I can not help you any further.

[MalcolmB]

7 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

She was never a bar girl or had multiple partners. She went to college and worked for CPAC and now for the government. Only a fraction of Thai women are workers in that regard.

About 1/25th of a fraction.

 

But if they are with a elderly farang and are married previously with kids then the fraction goes to about 3/5ths.

 

It is what it is

[BritManToo]

11 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

You need to remember, just because you've purchased women here, doesn't mean they're all bar girls or foreigners are bar girl buyers. It, again, is just a tiny fraction of all Thai women who live here. If you think I'm gullible, think of the opposite of that word and that's where I'm at.

I prefer to think of it as 'hiring them for a test drive'.

[fredwiggy]

Just now, MalcolmB said:

About 1/25th of a fraction.

 

But if they are with a elderly farang and are married previously with kids then the fraction goes to about 3/5ths.

 

It is what it is

Most of the Thai women that marry foreigners weren't bar girls either. They just had children with locals who didn't stick around long so they thought a foreigner would give them a better future.

[MalcolmB]

9 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

How do you know he can't speak Thai? How do we know you can? What does it matter anyway? If we're here, we're fitting in. Not speaking Thai isn't a factor in ability to stay here, nor is it when a Thai wants to live in another country and can't speak that language.

It is obvious to those of who can like me and Packer when we are speaking with somebody who can not. 
Because they don’t really know what is going on. Similar to an illiterate, deaf mute to be honest.

[MalcolmB]

4 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

If you think I'm gullible, think of the opposite of that word and that's where I'm at.

You are a bit naive Fred

[fredwiggy]

Just now, MalcolmB said:

It is obvious to those of who can like me and Packer when we are speaking with somebody who can not. 
Because they don’t really know what is going on. Similar to an illiterate, deaf mute to be honest.

A deaf mute can't hear or speak. Someone who doesn't care to learn another language just feels they don't need it. Not a comparison. There are ways to communicate without needing to speak the language. Of course it's easier to learn it, but it isn't mandatory.

[BangkokReady]

18 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

Another one who can’t speak Thai and gets upset when I correct him.

 

You've never corrected me. Not in anyone of your accounts.

 

You only troll, and you make no sense while you do it.

[BangkokReady]

14 minutes ago, Packer said:

 

I've already given an example of that in this thread. 

 

You're obviously in need of Thai language lessons, go get some. 🙂 

 

So you don't know. OK, fair enough. 👍

[fredwiggy]

9 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

You are a bit naive Fred

Show me how or don't assume, because if you actually knew, or actually understood what I know, you'd be very embarrassed and go running off to hide. For a very long time here, you have said the same thing, all the while being corrected by me. Not dismissed or argued with but corrected. You have a bad habit of assuming you know people here. I do what you probably don't do. I read up on many subjects, gaining knowledge in certain ones I'm passionate about, and know quite a bit about them. Then someone comes here and says I'm naive because they didn't understand what I was saying, or had so little knowledge about the subject and was only going by opinions from others, and that's the epitome of being naive.

[BangkokReady]

1 minute ago, fredwiggy said:

For a very long time here, you have said the same thing, all the while being corrected by me.

 

Of course. It's a troll account. He's not speaking honestly.

[MalcolmB]

2 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Show me how or don't assume, because if you actually knew, or actually understood what I know,

I do know you can not follow a conversation in Thai in Thailand.

And you rely on the sugar coated watered down translation from your wife.

You can’t possibly know what is going on around you which is the definition of naive.

[Packer]

25 minutes ago, Packer said:

I've already given an example of that in this thread. 

 

You're obviously in need of Thai language lessons, go get some. 🙂 

 

10 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

So you don't know. 

 

Add English lessons. 🙂 

[fredwiggy]

Just now, BangkokReady said:

 

Of course. It's a troll account. He's not speaking honestly.

I'm just thinking he's either a lot younger than I suspect, or he's been living in a dreamworld supported by others, and doesn't have much life experience otherwise. Calling me naive while it's a reflection of himself. Some come here and downgrade you because you have a good partner, because they aren't capable of getting or keeping one, and some have been taught disrespect since childhood, and don't understand what restraint means. Some are narcissistic and think they're above everyone else, and can't take it when corrected. Lying here is easy, but why bother? This is a foreign forum, where like members should get together and help each other. Bragging about how much you have or how you can speak another language doesn't impress other adults. Then they call you arrogant because you don't address Thais by their names, although Thais don't either.

[JonnyF]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The topic ignited on Thai social media after Siranudh “Sai” Scott, a Thai-Scottish former ranger, highlighted an incident where a tourist's “Ni Hao” greeting was deemed disrespectful.

 

Got me wondering, do French/German people get offended when Thai people greet them with "Hello" as opposed to Bonjour or Guten Tag?

 

[BangkokReady]

4 minutes ago, Packer said:

Add English lessons. 🙂 

 

It's fine. If you don't know, you don't know. I suspected as much anyway.

[spidermike007]

I think Thai people are so accustomed to using the word they don't understand that it is construed as being impolite and impersonal, and it can very easily be interpreted as "they are not one of us, they are not part of our culture, they are not part of our land, they are a separate entity, they are a white person, they're not like us".

 

I think that's what we find offensive about the term, I much prefer the use of the word foreigner and I won't engage in the use of the word farang with friends. I just don't like it, so for this guy to get offended by the Russian guys statement shows how completely out of touch and insensitive he is. 

[fredwiggy]

5 minutes ago, MalcolmB said:

I do know you can not follow a conversation in Thai in Thailand.

And you rely on the sugar coated watered down translation from your wife.

You can’t possibly know what is going on around you which is the definition of naive.

You don't know anything besides what I've said. Why would it matter if I can't follow a conversation in Thai? I can sit there and drink beer with them and they accept me because they know I'm good to their friend, my girlfriend. they can't speak English and i don't think they're arrogant when they can't follow mine and my girlfriend's conversations. Why would you assume my girlfriend's translations are watered down or sugar coated?  Do you think my girlfriend doesn't understand Thai-English translations? That is naive. That I don't understand all that's going on around me means either it doesn't affect me, or that I don't care to. My being there is proof I like their company, and they mine.It isn't hard to communicate with just a few words, a smile or clinking of glasses.

[BangkokReady]

4 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

I'm just thinking he's either a lot younger than I suspect, or he's been living in a dreamworld supported by others, and doesn't have much life experience otherwise. Calling me naive while it's a reflection of himself. Some come here and downgrade you because you have a good partner, because they aren't capable of getting or keeping one, and some have been taught disrespect since childhood, and don't understand what restraint means. Some are narcissistic and think they're above everyone else, and can't take it when corrected. Lying here is easy, but why bother? This is a foreign forum, where like members should get together and help each other. Bragging about how much you have or how you can speak another language doesn't impress other adults. Then they call you arrogant because you don't address Thais by their names, although Thais don't either.

 

He's literally a troll. He's had multiple accounts. He's not even honest. He lies to troll people. You can't have a rational discussion.

[MikeUdon]

2 hours ago, Cameroni said:

So another East European fool aggravated a Thai by thinking he was clever and saying "Ni Hao", thereby making all foreigners look like idiots.

 

Deport all East Europeans from Thailand today and 80% of problems would go away.

 

But yes, farang, is obviously derogatory..

 

Notice the difference, a Russian says Ni Hao because he's a stupid fool, but the deragotary word farang is used with knowing intent.

Ah yes, of course—one Eastern European says “Ni Hao,” and the logical next step is to deport an entire region. What a  geopolitical strategy. Maybe toss in a few astrology signs too while we’re at it? Pisces cause trouble too, don’t they? And sure, “farang” is totally harmless... except when it isn’t. But let’s not split hairs—clearly, intent only matters when someone else messes up, right? If solving Thailand’s “problems” were really as simple as blaming foreigners with awkward greetings, we’d have world peace by now and 7-Eleven would never run out of toasties.

[JonnyF]

Here's my take on it.

 

1.  It is not generally intended as a sign of disrespect.

2. They do however know many foreigners do not like it.

3. They use it anyway.

[sikishrory]

Ah the old farang debate.

Goes round and round and round. 

Here we go again.

There is no end.

[fredwiggy]

Just now, BangkokReady said:

 

He's literally a troll. He's had multiple accounts. He's not even honest. He lies to troll people. You can't have a rational discussion.

There's a few here that just come to argue, even after you've proven them wrong. Funny thing, you notice after awhile, they stick up for each other.

[klauskunkel]

3 hours ago, BangkokReady said:

If your father in law says to your wife, "What is that farang doing today", it is obviously offensive.

The answer that comes to mind would be: "He just cancelled your allowance."

[Packer]

5 minutes ago, BangkokReady said:

It's fine.

 

Good, I'm glad that my example was educational for you. I'm happy to educated clueless newbies. 🙂

 

6 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

"they are not one of us, they are not part of our culture, they are not part of our land, they are a separate entity, they are a white person, they're not like us".

 

Which you feel is not correct? 🙂

[HK MacPhooey]

3 hours ago, StandardIssue said:

You know if you act like a "farang" than you will be called one. I've had many Thai friends over the years and one of the things I've learned is that they really respect an expat who's made an attempt to honor Thai culture. For example.

How many expats or long stay foreigners take the time to:

1) Learn the language

2) Learn how to properly Wai when addressing a Thai person

3) learn to temper their voice when speaking to a Thai person or have a conflict with a Thai person.

4) Learn to not engage in Kissing or embracing a Thai woman as you would in the west when out in public.

 

the list goes on...

 

All my Thai friends and acquaintances call me by my first name or Khun when I am their senior. They Wai to me when seeing them.

 

Even when out shopping I make a very concerted effort to honor Thai culture when speaking with Thai citizens.

Here’s the first ‘holier than thou’ reply to this thread - whatever you think in your sanctimonious head you are and always will be just a ‘farang’ to them.

[hotchilli]

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Thai netizens were quick to defend the historic use of "farang," insisting it lacks malice.

It also lacks civility and cultural understanding.

[Packer]

Brits often say to go do the chinky when going to a Chinese restaurant. Nothing derogatory about it.

 

Though articles and prepositions can make a difference. 

 

I went down the chinky last night. Acceptable. 

 

I went down on a Chinky last night. Borderline. 

[MalcolmB]

9 minutes ago, fredwiggy said:

Why would it matter if I can't follow a conversation in Thai?

Because we are in Thailand Fred.