Why Act Like A Thai?

[spasticated]

<br />Hard to know how silly the guy was without being there. There is nothing wrong with assimilating into another culture, even if it seems a bit forced at first but it's okay to choose not to assimilate too. <br /><br />The only thing in the story that seems off is that the guy spoke Thai to another foreigner, especially an unknown one. That's where the guy seems smug and there are a few expats that get smug about their level of assimilation. I have foreign friends that are capable of doing many "Thai things" with minimal strain that I wouldn't dream of even attempting. They are friends because they aren't smug about it and they respect that not everybody wants to go native.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

And the problem is many of the posters here are extremely clever, have no problems learming virtually anything easily and then dont realise they are lucky to be able to do this. I could spend all day trying to learn Thai in fact I have been here 8 weeks now and I have learnt about 6 words, my wife recites them daily to me so they sink in and I stll forget. On the other hand give me some tools and aks me to construct or fix something and its no problem.

So smart people remember how LUCKY you are to have been born with this abilitly to learn understand and remember easily.

[garro]

I have found that as somebody's ability to speak Thai improves so does their need to try and impress other people. As your ability to speak Thai improves so does your judgment about when to use it improve. In tourist areas there is often no need to impress the local noodle seller with your Thai when they may be trying to impress you with their English. At least that is my view.

[cali4995]

Hello

I have a similar problem, it often has to do with the mindset of the Thai people - seeing a Farang they rather automatically expect that, whatever he is going to say, they will not understand.

Now my Thai is far from fluent but i have again and again gotten verified that i have a very clear pronounciation - maybe because i am, as a native German who's grown up amongs Vietnamese, am used to sounds unfamiliar to native English speakers such as any word containing "uea" (like the German "umlauts") or starting with "ng" (as in MANY Vietnamese words).

However trying to converse with some people has me wanting to crawl up the wall! They don't speak English at all - and just because i am Farang refuse to understand my spoken Thai also! Specially so with cashiers at Tops supermarket. They always ask for my membership number (which is my phone number) and i reply to their Thai question with a Thai answer - the number, that is. By that time they look up, see a white face and suddenly - "sorry no understand". I then repeat in English - "sorry no understand". And by THAT time usually the person behind me in the line (who understood my Thai) repeats it to them. Crazy!

I never "act like Thai" but some of the Thai habits i was used to before even coming here - such as the sitting on the floor for dinner (Vietnamese do that too). Also when i try to speak Thai where ever possible, to improve my own skills and attempt an integration. In most cases this is well received (apart from Tops cashiers) and, sometimes, i get a genuine smile from them - that is because i, openly gay as i am, use the female "kha" to close a sentence just like openly gay Thai people do.

If YOU are planning to stay in Thailand for long time (for ever?) why not try to integrate and "become like Thai"? Of course this does not apply to those westerners who spend their freetime in pubs, watching the English football league and complain about the lack of English destination signs on buses (where in England do i get a German destination name on a bus??)

Best regards.....

Thanh

Thanh-bkk, I have so many times had a similar experience. Now I just write the Thai down on a piece

of paper even if it's ordering food in a restaurant. Directions for taxi, when requesting special items at

the store, any situation where the English isn't cutting it. I have no desire to be Thai, genuinely most of the

time I'm just trying to communicate where little or no English is spoken. Alternatively, when Thais

attempt to practice their English with me, I just completely blow them off. Like they're speaking martian.

In some attempt to understand, many foreigners who have been here forever speak horrible Thai, so,

I just decided the Thai language is private for Thai people, they really don't want us to speak it. Only if

you're alone with a friend does it seem to be appropriate. The other 99% of the time it never is.

[PhilHarries]

If he was speaking in Thai how do you know he was British?

Also, is it only people from Issaan who squat down and eat noodles?

You must be pretty fit from all that jumping to conclusions.

[garro]

If he was speaking in Thai how do you know he was British?

Also, is it only people from Issaan who squat down and eat noodles?

You must be pretty fit from all that jumping to conclusions.

Maybe he had bad teeth, a Union Jack t-shirt, and a hanky tied around his head?

[dominator]

Hello

I have a similar problem, it often has to do with the mindset of the Thai people - seeing a Farang they rather automatically expect that, whatever he is going to say, they will not understand.

Now my Thai is far from fluent but i have again and again gotten verified that i have a very clear pronounciation - maybe because i am, as a native German who's grown up amongs Vietnamese, am used to sounds unfamiliar to native English speakers such as any word containing "uea" (like the German "umlauts") or starting with "ng" (as in MANY Vietnamese words).

However trying to converse with some people has me wanting to crawl up the wall! They don't speak English at all - and just because i am Farang refuse to understand my spoken Thai also! Specially so with cashiers at Tops supermarket. They always ask for my membership number (which is my phone number) and i reply to their Thai question with a Thai answer - the number, that is. By that time they look up, see a white face and suddenly - "sorry no understand". I then repeat in English - "sorry no understand". And by THAT time usually the person behind me in the line (who understood my Thai) repeats it to them. Crazy!

I never "act like Thai" but some of the Thai habits i was used to before even coming here - such as the sitting on the floor for dinner (Vietnamese do that too). Also when i try to speak Thai where ever possible, to improve my own skills and attempt an integration. In most cases this is well received (apart from Tops cashiers) and, sometimes, i get a genuine smile from them - that is because i, openly gay as i am, use the female "kha" to close a sentence just like openly gay Thai people do.

If YOU are planning to stay in Thailand for long time (for ever?) why not try to integrate and "become like Thai"? Of course this does not apply to those westerners who spend their freetime in pubs, watching the English football league and complain about the lack of English destination signs on buses (where in England do i get a German destination name on a bus??)

Best regards.....

Thanh

If acting Thai, means becoming a 'bender', forget it.

[Bluelotus]

We used to call it "going native" .

[garro]

I think if somebody wants to act Thai it's up to them. Sometimes people can look foolish but so what? It's not like they are harming anybody. Most of us probably look like a prat at least some of the time. Life is too short to worry about such foolish nonsense. If it makes you happy and you are not harming anybody then go for it.

[PhilHarries]

If he was speaking in Thai how do you know he was British?

Also, is it only people from Issaan who squat down and eat noodles?

You must be pretty fit from all that jumping to conclusions.

Maybe he had bad teeth, a Union Jack t-shirt, and a hanky tied around his head?

You forgot the black socks with sandals.

Nah, if he was a real Brit the nearest he'd get to squatting is perched on a barstool.

Odd isn't it? A guy goes to Thailand, lives in isolation in his condo, socialises only with fellow countrymen, doesn't attempt to learn the language and eats only his home food and he gets slagged off. Another guy learns the language (maybe not perfect), lives and socialises amongst locals, eats local foods and takes up local customs and he gets slagged off. Why do so many people feel they are qualified to be judge, jury and executioner over others. Live and let live provided the actions of others does not adversely affect your life.

[traveller5000]

Well its the "whinging woman" in me coming out.

You d like that wouldnt you JD.

wHY DONT YOU SPANK ME.

Not even using the Donz's hand

Wh is DONZ?

Its TheDon

haha playing mr innocent eh

[garro]

If he was speaking in Thai how do you know he was British?

Also, is it only people from Issaan who squat down and eat noodles?

You must be pretty fit from all that jumping to conclusions.

Maybe he had bad teeth, a Union Jack t-shirt, and a hanky tied around his head?

You forgot the black socks with sandals.

Nah, if he was a real Brit the nearest he'd get to squatting is perched on a barstool.

Odd isn't it? A guy goes to Thailand, lives in isolation in his condo, socialises only with fellow countrymen, doesn't attempt to learn the language and eats only his home food and he gets slagged off. Another guy learns the language (maybe not perfect), lives and socialises amongst locals, eats local foods and takes up local customs and he gets slagged off. Why do so many people feel they are qualified to be judge, jury and executioner over others. Live and let live provided the actions of others does not adversely affect your life.

I agree that your dammed if you do, and dammed if you don't. I think though that some people do go overboard in their attempts to fit in to such an extent that they way overdo it. These people tend to be new to Thailand and are imitating how they think Thais behave.

I must admit that I do cringe when some people try and impress me with their toneless Thai. It is a bit wired when I'm minding my own business doing my shopping and another westerer begins speaking Thai badly for my beneift. But then again, it is my problem if this irritates me. Up to him. They deserve their moment in the sun as these guys are often spotted in Tesco's pushing what looks like a very expensive trolley full of electrical and household items for their happy Thai companion.

[SebD]

I can't comment about the OP's experience, cuz I weren't there but can imagine it from either perspective. The younger fella able to squat and talk Thai and the other guy not. But the latter guy retaining his Western dignity/superiority and the squatting guy forsaking his in the pursuit of his own personal vision of "cool". Either might find the other annoying. Both might niggle myself, simultaneously, given the stated circumstances.

But I can comment, nonetheless.

I've got two faces in Thailand.

My in-country face, when I'm at home with my Thai family and my everywhere-else face.

On my first ever trip to LOS, I got tired waiting for a friend to come and pick us up from Jomtien beach.

I squatted down on my haunches.

Immediately, my Thai friends were "disturbed" by this. One, who spoke English as good as I came to me and DEMANDED that I stood up.

"You're a farang. You can't squat like that, here. You can't make yourself low. You have to be high. This is Thailand, not home (England)" she said.

Since then, I've always endeavoured not to rock the apple-cart. I try to mould myself to the Thai stereotype vision of what a farang should be (and I do get upset at those bowing/wai-ing/squatting hippies - of ALL ages who I see daily and don't also comply).

In-country, though, it's an entirely different kettle of fish.

I sit cross-legged to eat.

I eat with my fingers.

I squat, instead of sit, for a crap in the Thai toilet and use the squirty thing instead of Andrex Extra Strength.

I even sleep in the communal bed/floorspace (when I've got myself slaughtered on whisky and soda).

But yeah.

I have to say that there's not much more annoying than a farang who contunually speaks Thai (often repeating the same set of stock phrases - over and over again).

And I cringe when I see a farang, of any age, squatting or otherwise lowering his head below a native's.

Not for him (he's a dick), but for me and for the Thais who also feel embarassed on his behalf.

[Thai at Heart]

I can't comment about the OP's experience, cuz I weren't there but can imagine it from either perspective. The younger fella able to squat and talk Thai and the other guy not. But the latter guy retaining his Western dignity/superiority and the squatting guy forsaking his in the pursuit of his own personal vision of "cool". Either might find the other annoying. Both might niggle myself, simultaneously, given the stated circumstances.

But I can comment, nonetheless.

I've got two faces in Thailand.

My in-country face, when I'm at home with my Thai family and my everywhere-else face.

On my first ever trip to LOS, I got tired waiting for a friend to come and pick us up from Jomtien beach.

I squatted down on my haunches.

Immediately, my Thai friends were "disturbed" by this. One, who spoke English as good as I came to me and DEMANDED that I stood up.

"You're a farang. You can't squat like that, here. You can't make yourself low. You have to be high. This is Thailand, not home (England)" she said.

Since then, I've always endeavoured not to rock the apple-cart. I try to mould myself to the Thai stereotype vision of what a farang should be (and I do get upset at those bowing/wai-ing/squatting hippies - of ALL ages who I see daily and don't also comply).

In-country, though, it's an entirely different kettle of fish.

I sit cross-legged to eat.

I eat with my fingers.

I squat, instead of sit, for a crap in the Thai toilet and use the squirty thing instead of Andrex Extra Strength.

I even sleep in the communal bed/floorspace (when I've got myself slaughtered on whisky and soda).

But yeah.

I have to say that there's not much more annoying than a farang who contunually speaks Thai (often repeating the same set of stock phrases - over and over again).

And I cringe when I see a farang, of any age, squatting or otherwise lowering his head below a native's.

Not for him (he's a dick), but for me and for the Thais who also feel embarassed on his behalf.

Speaking Thai, not an issue for me, but it is a bit stupid when I hear people doing it endlessly in farang company often over the conversation.

The whole squatting business is a little over the top. If he didn't grow up doing it, it probably hurts like hel_l. When there is a family get together someone runs around to get me a little stool to sit on, coz they have learnt that I physically can't sit on the floor politely for any length of time.

Our kids hunker down from time to time, and the missus flips on them.

[BigSnake]

Mostly likely

[jingjoe]

If he was speaking in Thai how do you know he was British?

The smell would give him away

Edited March 25, 2008 by jingjoe

[lukey1979]

If he was speaking in Thai how do you know he was British?

The smell would give him away

The smell of sweet success.

[khunandy]

If he was speaking in Thai how do you know he was British?

Also, is it only people from Issaan who squat down and eat noodles?

You must be pretty fit from all that jumping to conclusions.

Maybe he had bad teeth, a Union Jack t-shirt, and a hanky tied around his head?

It was the socks and sandles that gave him away

[Payboy]

If he was speaking in Thai how do you know he was British?

The smell would give him away

The smell of sweet success.

more likely the smell of sweat excess....

[TheDon]

The Bristish guy can do what ever he wants, i mean who cares, I bet you he doesnt.

[OxfordWill]

Good on him for not giving a flying **ck what you thought.

[Huey]

But we are nothing compared to the poms

So true, thats why we call you second division England.

There is a breed of farang that do seem to bellow their amazing Thai at the top of their voices, just so everyone knows theyre no orrid scabbied ridden tourist.

Is there a word for an Asian wigger.

Whats a wigger?

[5tash]

I was outside a Family Mart store last night in Pattaya and I noticed a British guy say in his 30 s ,squatting down, down as Thais do in Issan, eating a bowl of noodles.

He was a medium sized guy and he had both knees bent ,squatting right down where it looked painful for him as he was sweating.

He had his shirt off talking loudly in Thai to the food cart cooks.

He started talking Thai loudly then looked up at me as he was talking to get a reaction,talking in Thai to me.

He then started talking Thai to the food cart owner.

,however the food cart owner ignored him and started making my food.

I looked back at the British guy and he was losing balance on his squatting and sweating profusely trying to maintain balance whilst eating his bowl of noodles .

His knees were starting to give way.,

He then shouts out to a motorbike taxi driver "hung loong",Hung loong",waving his hands for the motobike driver to sit next to him.

He then sits in a kneeling postion.

I thought to myself,silly cow,shorely he must know he looks silly in that position.

Anyway i started telling this to a thai friend asking him about "HUng Loong" only to find out that saying ,"sit down" in Thai is actually "Nung Loong.

I wonder why some of you want to act like a Thai person.

when in rome do as the romans do.

thais use a similar saying;

เข้าเมื่องตาหลิ่ว ต้องหลิ่วตาตาม

kao muang dtaa liu, dong liu dtaa dtaam.

(when you) enter the city of the slanted-eyed, do squint your eyes.

taken from benjawan poomsan becker's 'speak like a thai' volume 3.

Edited April 2, 2008 by 5tash

[uptou]

When i first met my girlfreind her english wasnt perfect which made me have to speak a sort of half thai,half english language (as i dont speak thai fluently,infact very little),& the habit of this has continued even though her english is now very good.

Ive actually seen the other side of the coin where it almost seems like there is some sort of insecurity & spite in other farang,in the fact that you can speak some thai,when in fact you are actually hardly realising you are doing it.

Plus its kind of fun speaking something in another language.

[Huey]

I was outside a Family Mart store last night in Pattaya and I noticed a British guy say in his 30 s ,squatting down, down as Thais do in Issan, eating a bowl of noodles.

He was a medium sized guy and he had both knees bent ,squatting right down where it looked painful for him as he was sweating.

He had his shirt off talking loudly in Thai to the food cart cooks.

He started talking Thai loudly then looked up at me as he was talking to get a reaction,talking in Thai to me.

He then started talking Thai to the food cart owner.

,however the food cart owner ignored him and started making my food.

I looked back at the British guy and he was losing balance on his squatting and sweating profusely trying to maintain balance whilst eating his bowl of noodles .

His knees were starting to give way.,

He then shouts out to a motorbike taxi driver "hung loong",Hung loong",waving his hands for the motobike driver to sit next to him.

He then sits in a kneeling postion.

I thought to myself,silly cow,shorely he must know he looks silly in that position.

Anyway i started telling this to a thai friend asking him about "HUng Loong" only to find out that saying ,"sit down" in Thai is actually "Nung Loong.

I wonder why some of you want to act like a Thai person.

when in rome do as the romans do.

thais use a similar saying;

เข้าเมื่องตาหลิ่ว ต้องหลิ่วตาตาม

kao muang dtaa liu, dong liu dtaa dtaam.

(when you) enter the city of the slanted-eyed, do squint your eyes.

taken from benjawan poomsan becker's 'speak like a thai' volume 3.

Dig it, if more folks respected the culture of the places they were in the world would be a beautiful place. Personaly I live here, speak a lil Thai, wai appropriately and at the appropriate times, I'm blessed to have great inlaws (Thai ofcourse) who "lent" me a bunch of differnt Buddah necklaces, and Naga stone rings, and a beautiful custom made Jatukam Rama Thep, and I wear at least one almost every day. I eat Thai food that makes my father in law sweat a river. I curse like a sailor accuratly and incredibly insultingly in Thai capturing the correct nuance of the words...I don't know, is that "ACTING" Thai? I don't think so, its just about who you are..all these things feel right for me. Mabey they feel right for others mabey they don't. My bet is your only ACTING if your doing something that dosn't feel at all right or natural for ya.

[Jingthing]

My bet is your only ACTING if your doing something that dosn't feel at all right or natural for ya.

Yes and no. If it feels right to you yet looks ridiculous to most everyone else, it might actually be ridiculous. You know we really cannot see ourselves as others see us.

On the other hand, if it feels right to you, and also looks natural, well, then you are running on all cylinders. It is reasonable to adjust to our environment; after all, we are social animals. When I am in farangland, I would like to continue eating Thai style (utensil-wise) because I find this way of eating natural to me now, but I grow tired of getting stared at all the time, so to avoid that unpleasantness, I switch back to western style.

Edited April 2, 2008 by Jingthing

[hullmonkey1]

But we are nothing compared to the poms

So true, thats why we call you second division England.

There is a breed of farang that do seem to bellow their amazing Thai at the top of their voices, just so everyone knows theyre no orrid scabbied ridden tourist.

Is there a word for an Asian wigger.

Whats a wigger?

I heard the insult when I worked near london. A white guy with dreadlocks was walking down the street and I heard one of our local carpenter's say "look at the state of that fackin wigger" I didnt ask him but am pretty sure that he meant 'white nigger'

[Huey]

But we are nothing compared to the poms

So true, thats why we call you second division England.

There is a breed of farang that do seem to bellow their amazing Thai at the top of their voices, just so everyone knows theyre no orrid scabbied ridden tourist.

Is there a word for an Asian wigger.

Whats a wigger?

I heard the insult when I worked near london. A white guy with dreadlocks was walking down the street and I heard one of our local carpenter's say "look at the state of that fackin wigger" I didnt ask him but am pretty sure that he meant 'white nigger'

Ahh ok thank you. So a Asian wigger??? As the ignorant bigot above me so eloquently asks, is what? Why do these hateful peasent trash even bother going to places were the majority of people arn't white. For all I compain about double priceing and such, I am still very very happy to have left trash like this back in the States.

[bkkblueeyes]

Sitting down in that style is not from Thailand.

Old Korean Fish Farmers Did this for years and years.

On the jae ju island as they gut them and stuff.

Then the Korean Kids started to do this eating noodles and smoking a ciggy. As they thought it looked cool.

Not surprising Thais look up to Koreans in every movement these day.

Even the Thai government is following in my there foot steps.

Why u think Koreans don’t need all the visa rules you guys follow.

Haha sting.!!!!!

And who made this Topic is a retard !! and for the squatting down drunk sweaty pom is a complete looser.

As for acting like a Thai , Read the topic on (turning Thai) its hel_l Funny.

But speaking load like a Thai trying to look cool my half Thai best friend bonks them on the head with a beer bottle.

Wigger is a White Nigger and Asian can be a W/angster !!

Don’t worry heuy , red necks still walk the streets in every country.

peace

[Huey]

Heh Yeah BKKBlueyes your definetly right about that. Oh well at least I don't usualy run into that crowd in the circles I move in.

[rick75]

I was involved in Muay Thai in Australia and It is funny to see people wai-ing at the shows it looks so out of place, a lot of the guys have lived and trained in Thailand for many years so it is part and parcel of there lifestyle, but many do it to look authentic.

As for when in Thailand do as the Romans do, my Thai is crap but people appreciate the fact you are trying, if you are in an area where no one speaks English what choice do you have.