Tailor Salesmen Blocking Sidewalk

[Prakanong]

I just say "Im laeo" and they don't know what the F*** to think. Then I just laugh and walk off

I am talking to an Indian right now and he not trying to sell me a suit ;-)

About havinga pint at Harry's, Boat Quay tonight in Singapore and how there are not usually too many pretty girls to gawp at.

Friday night though and the four floors is an option!

[Lucifer]

One other point. Lets not forget these Indians are directly from India, as opposed to Indians who, some of you,

might know in the west. The Indians who live in the West are westernised, in that they have mannerisms similar

to farangs.

In India it's the norm, not to say please and thank you. It's the norm to push and shove. it's almost the rule of the land.

They don't mean to be rude, it's just that they don't know any different.

If they thought for one second, they could get better sales by being 'polite' as farangs know it, they would all be polite.

[Prakanong]

One other point. Lets not forget these Indians are directly from India, as opposed to Indians who, some of you,

might know in the west. The Indians who live in the West are westernised, in that they have mannerisms similar

to farangs.

In India it's the norm, not to say please and thank you. It's the norm to push and shove. it's almost the rule of the land.

They don't mean to be rude, it's just that they don't know any different.

If they thought for one second, they could get better sales by being 'polite' as farangs know it, they would all be polite.

The majority of Indians I know are from the sub-continent and have not been brought up in the west. They are polite enough and do not push and shove but they are very well educated in good jobs.

I do know what you mean though as I see evidence of the pushing in quite a bit at airports and a lot at food courts in Singapore but mentioning it to them always results in them backing off.

The salesman in Pattaya though just never ever get the message - even in India people are not so bad as these guys

[edwardandtubs]

They SUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe he was just over-enthusiastic when measuring your inside leg.

[JSixpack]

One other point. Lets not forget these Indians are directly from India

If they thought for one second, they could get better sales by being 'polite' as farangs know it, they would all be polite.

Yeah, these Indians are very poor, uneducated, rather desperate Third World characters, as you'll quickly discover should you ever try to carry on a conversation with them. They know almost nothing except that to eat they need to get potential customers into the shop. However annoying they are, you have to admit they work very hard at their miserable jobs--which is more than you can say for a lot of Thais, who often don't seem to care whether they sell you anything or not.

So I take this into account and cut them some slack out of sympathy. If you just don't look at them and say NO firmly to their query, they leave you alone.

It also helps to compare them with the Thai porno DVD touts at Panthip Plaza. The Indians come out looking pretty good in that contest.

[PhilHarries]

Had you spoken in Received Pronunciation, which few in Pattaya have ever mastered, might you have gotten the same back, with an Indian accent?

How anyone who uses the "word" gotten can attempt to lecture folk on English language is way beyond me but maybe you are one of "those" English teachers which explains a lot about the sad state of education in Thailand.

Might be worth a try. As you know, many Indians speak far better English than does the average Brit.

Interesting claim this, can you back it up with any facts or statistics?

I thought not.

Back on topic. The Indian tailors of Pattaya do not bother me the same way taxi touts, street vendors etc don't bother me. I just plain ignore them and walk on by or if sat at a bar just give them a mai ow khap and turn my gaze away. These people are extremely thick skinned, they have to be in their line of business, so insults and rudeness doesn't even register with them.

btw has anyone on the forum ever bought a suit from these beach road pests? The times I have stolen a furtive glance in the shop windows what I have seen I wouldn't wear to a fancy dress party or for a sizeable bet.

[JSixpack]

Had you spoken in Received Pronunciation, which few in Pattaya have ever mastered, might you have gotten the same back, with an Indian accent?

How anyone who uses the "word" gotten can attempt to lecture folk on English language is way beyond me but maybe you are one of "those" English teachers which explains a lot about the sad state of education in Thailand.

Yawn.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get

Main Entry: get

Pronunciation: \get, git\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): got \gät\; got or got·ten \gä-tn\; get·ting

In answer to your implied query, I'm not an English teacher. Nevertheless, my spoken English is perfectly clear and understandable in a multicultural context as I do speak a standard rather than regional dialect, which is what I think we all should do in such a context.

[zorro1]

I carry one of those massage brochures the tuk tuk drivers have. I whip it out in a flash and try to sell them a massage and I dont give up to the point where they stop laughing and start to squirm. Its a great stress buster especially after hanging out at thai visa for a few hours

[stiggy]

Yup they can be quite annoying.

But they certainly don't deserve some of the racist BS being thrown at them in this thread.

A simple No or a smile and walk off normally works..

Very very rarely will some one actually grab your hand.

[zorro1]

Yup they can be quite annoying.

But they certainly don't deserve some of the racist BS being thrown at them in this thread.

A simple No or a smile and walk off normally works..

Very very rarely will some one actually grab your hand.

'

'A positive attitude may not solve all your problems, but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort.'

that's a charming personal statement on your profile and you are absolutely right, you are annoying. I am surrounded by them and they grab me all the time. The last little effort was "hello sir I know your mothers name"

there should be some sort of repellent available in a can or no wait a minute ! the stall next door to that ghastly tailor sells tasers

[onzestan]

I'm still undecided over which I find the most annoying.

1) The indian who's trying to make a living but in a not to clever way,

or

2) The farang who finds it funny to stalk one of the above for hours.

The jury is still out.

cheers

onzestan

Edited March 8, 2008 by onzestan

[enyaw]

I have sometimes wondered why it is that Indians have this ability to mimic an accent so well. I've noticed this in Cambodia aswell from the touts selling around Angkor in Siem Reap who'd give you "asda price" for some guide book and then break down any objection to buy with a bit of sharp wit, in a cockney accent.

[zorro1]

I'm still undecided over which I find the most annoying.

1) The indian who's trying to make a living but in a not to clever way,

or

2) The farang who finds it funny to stalk one of the above for hours.

The jury is still out.

cheers

onzestan

come on onz your not allowed to sit on the fence. are you with them or or with us? whats it gonna be you "very lucky man"

By the way to be totally honest i do have an Indian tailor in soi 4 nana BKK and a totall gentleman no touts and his shop is always full and he gets dropped off in a new 7 series BMW by the way, so there's got to be big bucks in it when you do it right

Edited March 8, 2008 by zorro1

[onzestan]

come on onz your not allowed to sit on the fence. are you with them or or with us? whats it gonna be you "very lucky man"

By the way to be totally honest i do have an Indian tailor in soi 4 nana BKK and a totall gentleman no touts and his shop is always full and he gets dropped off in a new 7 series BMW by the way, so there's got to be big bucks in it when you do it right

Well to be perfectly honest also, I can't be bothered by either of them. My mother taught me to live and let live 60 odd years ago, and it still applies today.

cheers

onzestan

[enyaw]

One time I was in india fast asleep on a beach in Goa a little over 5 yards away form my bamboo bungalow on stilts when this Indian taxi driver shook me awake and asked if I needed a taxi! I knocked him off his feet.

Edited March 8, 2008 by enyaw

[zorro1]

come on onz your not allowed to sit on the fence. are you with them or or with us? whats it gonna be you "very lucky man"

By the way to be totally honest i do have an Indian tailor in soi 4 nana BKK and a totall gentleman no touts and his shop is always full and he gets dropped off in a new 7 series BMW by the way, so there's got to be big bucks in it when you do it right

Well to be perfectly honest also, I can't be bothered by either of them. My mother taught me to live and let live 60 odd years ago, and it still applies today.

cheers

onzestan

My mother lived in Asia for many years with my dad in the diplomatic core and she said never let an Indian tailor grab you without kicking his butt and that still applies today

[toptuan]

Another poster who just woke up to the fact he's not in Pasadena any more, and can't deal with it.

If this bothers you, you haven't traveled much beyond the developed world. How would you deal with multiple beggars pawing at you in a Mumbai crowd? A gang of Arab children who spit on your windshield (presumably "washing it") and demand $5 or they'll stone it--and you?

C'mon, an aggressive salesman in Pattaya? Get a spine!

Edited March 8, 2008 by toptuan

[Prakanong]

Had you spoken in Received Pronunciation, which few in Pattaya have ever mastered, might you have gotten the same back, with an Indian accent?

How anyone who uses the "word" gotten can attempt to lecture folk on English language is way beyond me but maybe you are one of "those" English teachers which explains a lot about the sad state of education in Thailand.

Yawn.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get

Main Entry: get

Pronunciation: \get, git\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): got \gät\; got or got·ten \gä-tn\; get·ting

In answer to your implied query, I'm not an English teacher. Nevertheless, my spoken English is perfectly clear and understandable in a multicultural context as I do speak a standard rather than regional dialect, which is what I think we all should do in such a context.

Why the F should we speak standard English?

Its only weak willed no personality types who lose their accent.

I work in a truly multi-cultural multinational environment and they all understand me with a very strong Durham accent (not the dialect).

Do you ask the Indians. Thai, Burmese, French, Thai, Chinese, PI, Japanese you work with to speak standard English without an accent?

[Humphrey Bear]

Had you spoken in Received Pronunciation, which few in Pattaya have ever mastered, might you have gotten the same back, with an Indian accent?

How anyone who uses the "word" gotten can attempt to lecture folk on English language is way beyond me but maybe you are one of "those" English teachers which explains a lot about the sad state of education in Thailand.

Yawn.

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/get

Main Entry: get

Pronunciation: \get, git\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): got \gät\; got or got·ten \gä-tn\; get·ting

In answer to your implied query, I'm not an English teacher. Nevertheless, my spoken English is perfectly clear and understandable in a multicultural context as I do speak a standard rather than regional dialect, which is what I think we all should do in such a context.

Why the F should we speak standard English?

Its only weak willed no personality types who lose their accent.

I work in a truly multi-cultural multinational environment and they all understand me with a very strong Durham accent (not the dialect).

Do you ask the Indians. Thai, Burmese, French, Thai, Chinese, PI, Japanese you work with to speak standard English without an accent?

Note that Jsixpack is using 'Webster' to justify his abuse of the English language. Assume he's a septic and couldn't speak the Queens English anyway.

I am currently working with a labour force of 35,000 men - at least half of whom are Indian. They are mostly illiterate or semi-literate. Most speak an Indian form of pidgin, but we all communicate. All are better people than these tailor-touts, but most probably earn less.

I see no point to these guys, if you want a suit you'll go in the shop anyway. So I usually just nudge them off the pavement, into the parked bikes or into the path of a sawng thaew.

[Richie1971]

I have been to Pattaya (and even stayed there for 6 months) and like most people find the Tailor touts a pain in the butt, but none the less I always do have a quick word with them and eventually acquire their country of origin - they do look indian and yes, dress like Indian people abroad but I have never ever come across a 'Tailor' who is actually Indian, they all 'claim' to be from Burma - My geographical knowledge is a touch limited but doesn't Burma border India in the north? (thus sharing certain characteristics including religion, cuisine,language,religion) could the the 'Indian' Tailors could in fact be Burmese? Don't like to be 'right on' but i don't really like to read the slander being directed at a particular nation if not called for and not correct.

I live near the khao San Rd as you all probably know they have a good selection of 'Indian restaurants' again I have yet to meet a worker (cant speak for the owners) who is Indian, thai Indian or whatever. They all seem to be, or admit to being either Burmese or Nepalese.

If anyone has any information to the contrary that definately identifies the national identity of these 'annoying pests' as Indians I'd be interested to read it.

namasti

Richie

[JSixpack]

Why the F should we speak standard English?

Well spoken! And a provincial attitude common among Brits, no?

Its only weak willed no personality types who lose their accent.

Like those BBC announcers, right. What they need is more personality! Thank god we have hourly interviews with footballers!

On the contrary, it is a very much a mark of self-confidence and assurance that you can do so at will for the most productive and efficient communication.

I work in a truly multi-cultural multinational environment and they all understand me with a very strong Durham accent (not the dialect).

Well now, they are forced to make the effort, aren't they, since you wouldn't make the effort to change for their mere convenience. You'd worry that to do so would demonstrate not a strength but a lack of will, and you'd be afraid that you'd then have no personality. Poor you with no will or personality! A sad thought. Yes, by all means carry on as you are. After all, you've already compromised by not speaking the Durham dialect, doubtless by necessity so that you can get some work done in a multicultural setting.

Do you ask the Indians. Thai, Burmese, French, Thai, Chinese, PI, Japanese you work with to speak standard English without an accent?

It would definitely cause less misunderstanding if they would, but of course they are not native English speakers, so how much can we reasonably expect? But, to their credit, they welcome help in improving their English and losing as much of their regional accent as possible. Whenever I've offered help, they have always accepted with at least modest gratitude, as long as I'm not helping too much and making them feel that the task is overwhelming.

One of the more desirable characteristics of most Asians is that, unlike many Westerners, they aren't particularly proud of lacking a skill or ability and they don't try to imagine that it is something good and desirable. They may or may not seek to correct a perceived deficiency, but it at least isn't a point of pride. Perhaps it's owing to the lack of class warfare? I can only speculate.

[Humphrey Bear]

Bangladesh also borders on Burma - so there is another point of origin.

The assumption is made on racial characteristics, rather than nationality - and they are 'Indian'.

Same in Malaysia and Singapore. There are racial Indians who were born there (same as UK, etc.) and are still referred to as Indians.

Me, I'm a cowboy.

[Prakanong]

Why the F should we speak standard English?

Well spoken! And a provincial attitude common among Brits, no?

Its only weak willed no personality types who lose their accent.

Like those BBC announcers, right. What they need is more personality! Thank god we have hourly interviews with footballers!

On the contrary, it is a very much a mark of self-confidence and assurance that you can do so at will for the most productive and efficient communication.

I work in a truly multi-cultural multinational environment and they all understand me with a very strong Durham accent (not the dialect).

Well now, they are forced to make the effort, aren't they, since you wouldn't make the effort to change for their mere convenience. You'd worry that to do so would demonstrate not a strength but a lack of will, and you'd be afraid that you'd then have no personality. Poor you with no will or personality! A sad thought. Yes, by all means carry on as you are. After all, you've already compromised by not speaking the Durham dialect, doubtless by necessity so that you can get some work done in a multicultural setting.

Do you ask the Indians. Thai, Burmese, French, Thai, Chinese, PI, Japanese you work with to speak standard English without an accent?

It would definitely cause less misunderstanding if they would, but of course they are not native English speakers, so how much can we reasonably expect? But, to their credit, they welcome help in improving their English and losing as much of their regional accent as possible. Whenever I've offered help, they have always accepted with at least modest gratitude, as long as I'm not helping too much and making them feel that the task is overwhelming.

One of the more desirable characteristics of most Asians is that, unlike many Westerners, they aren't particularly proud of lacking a skill or ability and they don't try to imagine that it is something good and desirable. They may or may not seek to correct a perceived deficiency, but it at least isn't a point of pride. Perhaps it's owing to the lack of class warfare? I can only speculate.

Aye right billybob

[andyc2006]

Give these guys a break. Somebody must buy those suits or they wouldn't be there. If they talk to 1000 people and 1 stops to buy-- then they make a sale. But if they don't ask everybody then they won't get that one sale. If you don't want what they want, don't stop. Sales is a hard job, I used to do it. I guess that's why they don't bother me.

Good, maybe you can speak for all other salespeople, and explain why the lot of you are stupid enough to think that it's acceptable to harass 1000 people in an attempt to find the 1 person who isn't bothered by it.

I don't get violent with the pests, but it's tempting, and I have to say that hearing that they're getting being attacked makes me feel warm inside.

[andyc2006]

One other point. Lets not forget these Indians are directly from India

Most of them are from families that came to Thailand as part of a mass immigration just after the 2nd World War. They're Thai citizens and own much of the land that houses retailers in Pattaya. They hold the leases for many Walking St bars too.

[Jingthing]

The touts I have talked to are not Thai, they are from Nepal.

[Ulysses G.]

I don't get violent with the pests, but it's tempting, and I have to say that hearing that they're getting being attacked makes me feel warm inside.

The white man's burden!