Yes, in Thailand yes. It's even stronger, I feel ashamed when I coincidentally walk in their vicinity, as other people may think I belong to them.

So lucky (or miserable) are those who have time for that. Seriously, what a waste of time! Chatting? I don't have enough time to answer to "Hi" from my kid's schoolmate's 'merican dad. 

On 7/9/2025 at 12:02 PM, SoCal1990 said:

Have you felt this too? And do you avoid getting too close to other foreigners in Thailand

Yes.

The average foreigner here are sc

1 hour ago, wavodavo said:

It doesn't matter really if you are in your home country or a foreign countyy if you are are in a bar and a bloke sits next to you and starts a conversation  If youv'e been around a bit you should be able to work out if he's an idiot or dick head after a few sentences and  and if that's the case you can just move away from him or go to another bar.In my travels around the world I  have met a heap of idiots in pubs and bars  and it's not a problem and you don't have to sit there and listen to their drival all night.

 

Ask first if he posts on here, if in the affirmative feign a bilious attack and leave as soon as possible 😆

On 7/9/2025 at 12:30 PM, StayinThailand2much said:

 

Yes, I met a compatriot who lived here long-time, but couldn't even come up with 400,000 baht for a marriage-visa-extension, and who asked me to buy some stuff online from him. Add to that the occasional tourist asking you for money, or trying to sell you leather belts, not to mention guys who have businesses here, but are on overstay for a long time, or into gambling, etc., etc., and you get the feeling to best avoid foreigners, particularly expats in Thailand... (That's probably why I don't go out much in Thailand, except for the occasional visit to Walking Street on my rare trips to Pattaya.)

 

And that's before they tell you about their exploits in The Regiment 😄

 

 

 

13 hours ago, NoshowJones said:

If you are from the UK you are not going to have much in common with guys from other countries. Personally I like the company of Americans as I do tend to have a lot in common with them having travelled over most parts of America.

Yes I’m UK born but left at 16, lived in Spain, Austria, Switzerland and France so speak all 4 languages fluently.  I don’t avoid foreigners and I’m your average, polite and normal self, I think. Never had this in other countries and I have loads of friends from them and many , plus Thais, from my time on Phuket 84 to 2005. I think it’s just not having the same interests. 

On 7/9/2025 at 5:08 PM, richard_smith237 said:

https://aseannow.com/topic/663667-farang-v-farang-why-are-we-ignoring-each-other

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1030598-whats-wrong-with-you-foreigners

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1360507-when-was-the-last-time-that-you-spoke-with-a-foreigner/

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1233668-being-scared-to-talk-to-other-farang

 

 

The general consensus... Too many loons, too many grumpy old boomers...  

 

Most people of a balanced mind will engage in interaction with anyone else, foreign or otherwise when the situation is organic and natural, not when its forced.

 

 

Why the focus on 'Grumpy Boomers'?

 

As a (not at all grumpy) Boomer I'd planned for retirement well enough to be financially self-sufficient so have no reason to be grumpy.   

 

Although I do tend to avoid the younger expats, who after one trip around the Grand Palace in a tuk tuk and a flight to Koh Samui believe they're an expert in all things Thai, and try to tell me their YouTube channel supports their luxurious lifestyle in the land of endless smiles.

 

But if an expat with real experience wants a chat, I'm happy to listen, as you can always learn something or get a new perspective.

 

 

 

1 hour ago, Kinnock said:

Why the focus on 'Grumpy Boomers'?

 

As a (not at all grumpy) Boomer I'd planned for retirement well enough to be financially self-sufficient so have no reason to be grumpy.   

 

Although I do tend to avoid the younger expats, who after one trip around the Grand Palace in a tuk tuk and a flight to Koh Samui believe they're an expert in all things Thai, and try to tell me their YouTube channel supports their luxurious lifestyle in the land of endless smiles.

 

But if an expat with real experience wants a chat, I'm happy to listen, as you can always learn something or get a new perspective.

 

Great...   but if the general vibe from other threads and chats I’ve had is anything to go by, Thailand has plenty of loons these days. Not to mention an oversupply of cranky older folks who look like they’ve been auditioning for the role of "Disgruntled Curmudgeon #3" since the '80s...

 

Sure, you’ll find the occasional grumpy Gen X’er or Millennial wandering about with a storm cloud overhead - but in my humble opinion, they're less common (at least proportionally).

 

You, of course, are an exception to this generalisation as are many..… but let's not pretend this forum and bars aren't crawling with folks who missed their calling as pub ranters or nutjobs.

 

Case in point: I made the rookie mistake of returning a friendly nod in a bar the other night - just a simple gesture of human decency, nothing more. But oh no, that tiny flick of the neck was apparently enough to summon a very inebriated, rather moist gentleman to our table, like some sort of boozy genie emerging from a lager lamp....  He was over-thrilled to be in Thailand - happiest bloke on Earth, at least in that precise moment. I genuinely thought he was seconds away from asking me to be his best man. His date, meanwhile, looked like she'd rather be watching paint dry underwater.... jaded and clearly bored with his dribbling... 

 

To his credit, he was a nice enough. But a loon all the same. Boomer vintage, if I had to guess - probably clocking in at about 65, judging by the enthusiastic slurring and what I could make out... 

 

My mate and I saw the writing on the wall, settled the bill, and made a graceful exit stage left.

Grumpy? No. Liability? Potentially. Boomer? Almost certainly. loon? without a doubt !!! 

 

 

 

Rarely meet farangs. Where are they?

2 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Rarely meet farangs. Where are they?

In your case, I am not surprised..........

5 minutes ago, transam said:

In your case, I am not surprised..........

So where are they in Ubon?

8 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

So where are they in Ubon?

Looks like anywhere you're not.....🤥

1 minute ago, transam said:

Looks like anywhere you're not.....🤥

Looks like you live on here. 95,000 posts........

2 minutes ago, Harrisfan said:

Looks like you live on here. 95,000 posts........

Leave him alone, he's lonely!

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

Looks like you live on here. 95,000 posts........

😂....Oh what a ginormous fail......😂

Brilliant...........

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Leave him alone, he's lonely!

But he has lots of friends.........

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

Leave him alone, he's lonely!

Says the bloke who told us his UK family don't like him...........

On 7/14/2025 at 11:36 PM, Kinnock said:

But if an expat with real experience wants a chat, I'm happy to listen, as you can always learn something or get a new perspective.

I'll listen to anyone ..... As long as they're buying the beer and snacks!

Just now, BritManToo said:

I'll listen to anyone ..... As long as they're buying the beer and snacks!

What about a lefty climate change freak?

Just now, transam said:

Says the bloke who told us his UK family don't like him...........

They were easily replaced by nicer Thai family.

Wasn't even expensive!

1 minute ago, Harrisfan said:

But he has lots of friends.........

Wrong, I don't need lots of friends, unlike you who has to hang out at 7/11, eh.....😆

Just now, Harrisfan said:

What about a lefty climate change freak?

I'd just keep quiet, agreeing with them whenever required,and ordering another beer at their expense.

1 minute ago, BritManToo said:

They were easily replaced by nicer Thai family.

Wasn't even expensive!

Oh, they didn't know anything about vaccinations and you then...😌

1 minute ago, transam said:

Oh, they didn't know anything about vaccinations and you then...😌

How's Ubon these days? Still boring as I suppose.

2 minutes ago, transam said:

Oh, they didn't know anything about vaccinations and you then...😌

Not sure how me saying no to vaccinations effects anyone else?

Just now, Harrisfan said:

How's Ubon these days? Still boring as I suppose.

  I have no idea.......🤗

Just now, transam said:

  I have no idea.......🤗

Go for a walk and see.......

Just now, BritManToo said:

Not sure how me saying no to vaccinations effects anyone else?

Your children, perhaps........

2 minutes ago, transam said:

Your children, perhaps........

No choice in Thailand, the doctors don't ask for permission.

The four back in the UK can have as many vaccinations as they want, as adults it's not my business.

2 minutes ago, transam said:

Your children, perhaps........

What did you do last week? .......anything?..........