On 7/11/2025 at 12:39 PM, SoCal1990 said:

I've met quite a few foreigners who talk a big game, like they’ve got some major deal going on. You’ll hear things about big property investments, past business empires, crypto wins, or some project they’re “about to launch.” But then you notice they’re living in cheap rentals, don't spend much, and seem to have an unusual amount of free time.

 

Maybe they’re just harmless storytellers trying to impress others. Or maybe there’s more to it. This kind of fake posturing could also damage the reputation of the broader foreign community, especially for those who live quietly, play by the rules, and don’t cause problems.

 

And you have to wonder, how often does this kind of behavior spill over into trouble? Are these the same types who overstay visas, run shady hustles, perpetrate scams or leave unpaid bills behind? Or is it all just empty talk from people who want to feel important?

 

You must have come across or at least heard of this type of expat in Thailand...

I don't frequent bars so I wouldn't know!

I've met people all over the world who talk big and live/act small, usually men but very occasionally women.

Some years back I was with a Brit mate at Sunday Brunch in Phuket when a character my mate knew, decided to invite himself to our table.

The mate filled me in about him when he went up to the bar, and we decided he would be our entertainment for the day. He ws well known by local expats, not in a good way. He was well dressed, quite fit and had the sleeves on his short sleeve shirt rolled up to display his biceps. He also had a set of handcuffs on the rear of his belt!

He started  talking about himself and his exploits, claiming to be a special police officer.  When I asked what he actually did  he had trouble with consistancy. He talked a lot of rubbish before settling for police training officer. Asked about what sort of Police ID he had, he produced a dodgy looking card that could have been anything and made by anybody. I actually just wanted to get his full name.

 

I queried the handcuffs,  and got a  "you never know when" type of answer. I told him I carried handcuffs on the job at times, but never felt the need to take them to Sunday brunch! He didn't respond. 

He bragged about climbing Mt Everest as part of a special British expedition. Knowing his name, I later checked on-line through the extensive records of all who have done so. He was not one of them.  I can confirm a Bear Grills did it! 

When time to go and we were all sipping a final glass of red, I   said I'd pay the bill which promoted him to sprint to the bar to grab another glass of wine despite the half full one in front of him.  

A pathetc pig of a man, but he provided us with many laughs when recalling the encounter.

In every other bar you go to esp on Pat's, it's easy listen politely and move on

On 7/11/2025 at 12:39 PM, SoCal1990 said:

I've met quite a few foreigners who talk a big game, like they’ve got some major deal going on. You’ll hear things about big property investments, past business empires, crypto wins, or some project they’re “about to launch.” But then you notice they’re living in cheap rentals, don't spend much, and seem to have an unusual amount of free time.

 

Maybe they’re just harmless storytellers trying to impress others. Or maybe there’s more to it. This kind of fake posturing could also damage the reputation of the broader foreign community, especially for those who live quietly, play by the rules, and don’t cause problems.

 

And you have to wonder, how often does this kind of behavior spill over into trouble? Are these the same types who overstay visas, run shady hustles, perpetrate scams or leave unpaid bills behind? Or is it all just empty talk from people who want to feel important?

 

You must have come across or at least heard of this type of expat in Thailand...

Did you train to make rash assumptions, generalisations and ill thought-out remarks or does it come naturally? 🤔
 

3 hours ago, Thingamabob said:

I've met people all over the world who talk big and live/act small, usually men but very occasionally women.

I met some girls around in Thailand, who talked bit about their boy friends sending them big money, let them live in luxury apartments, and basically left them there with to much money and no fun. So, that where I came in to listen to their stories. 

9 hours ago, ChrisKC said:

I don't frequent bars so I wouldn't know!

And the most pointless post of the day award goes to.......

Yes, but I've also gotten to know foreigners who talk small but live big (or at least very, very comfortably).