The "golden" Moment They Lost Your Business

[Rinrada]

Burger King....

[edwinchester]

KFC is doing it's best to irritate me and my wife lately.

Went into one in Utong last weekend and they would not honour one of the latest promotions so we ordered a couple of burgers. After about 30 minutes they had not arrived. On asking where our burgers were they informed us that they had run out! We left.

In Kanchanaburi KFC yesterday went in and ordered a burger, I'm a glutton for punished, to be told that they had run out of burger buns! Left again!

[HYENA]

Devil's advocate for a good percentage (not all) of ankle biter issues I read here:

There are many complaints I read where some don't seem to understand Thai customs and the Thai way. It's not farangland so TV's and loud music are appropriate for a Thai restaurant in Thailand (they think noise brings customers...or turn it up so the cook can hear, too) and standing waiting for the tip isn't out of place because 1. Likely some may have run off which would devastate their 150 baht a day pay and 2. What's the secret? We're pulling out our money and giving it to them anyway (they likely are thinking this way) so why the big secret if they're going to be given the tip by us to them anyway, why walk away like some big secret...open the wallet, pay the bill and the tip while they stand there. why walk twice to get it? Why walk twice for drinks then the food? They're not used to the inefficiencies of "politeness" we perceive as classy. I got over that.

These people have absolutely no European history so placing our values on them and our expectations to their service is unfair to them. I hear common repeated complaints which tells me there must be a reason they all do it that way or they just plain don't know only to be chewed out or rejected by a customer (only some here) for something that may have been just fine in their culture.

The first post and this "I am the customer, treat me like royalty" attitude is unique to us. My wife and I get bad service at one place, we'll skip it for a couple weeks and try again but also before eating ask about the size of the portions, do they have this, that, etc. My wife snoops around the kitchen (near it) and asks questions before we sit since it's a crapshoot and anyone can open a restaurant so these people just plain don't know or may not care or maybe in their culture it's enough they're offering sustenance to people; who knows? I do know in many places thanking someone is a no-no while other places it's compulsory. I remember thanking someone and getting laughed at because they were doing their duty and they didn't work for me (like a 7-11...can't recall the country)....all a frame of mind.

Back to hovering...my guess statistically a hoverer will get a larger tip because they're standing right there. 150 a day, I would too. I'm no king. Maybe a "good worker" is perceived to be "attentive" and they think they're treating you like a king being by your side at your call. It is only our culture that "needs space". Remember, Thais don't get claustrophobic and don't do much of the privacy thing (and many farang live alone, kick kids/parents out of the house, etc). These are "herd animals" we're loner animals :-)

Eating separate or as soon as the food is ready: Apparently people who are thought to have traveled a long distance, it is polite to not hesitate to begin eating regardless of the order or when the "other dish" is ready, etc. My guess this custom was from the old days where people would trek for days not eating until their destination so food and sustenance was on the priority list. I thought that was fascinating and I started eating as soon as my food arrived from there out.

I have to laugh at the never going back to buy cigarettes because of a whopping 2 baht ripoff. Mai pen rai! I get ripped off daily but if it's minimal, I don't sweat it. Sometimes I'll smile at them and say "I know what you just did" and they sheepishly correct it and never do it again. I allowed face saving so theyll treat me well next time; come on...2 baht? They're friendly people and smiling when stating your concerns always works like a charm. Interview briefly the restaurant while looking at the menu at the door before sitting (we always do this now) asking polite questions (my wife is the Thai food connoisseur so she's lung mat about her tom macoom).

I'd venture to say they do their best and if it's not good enough, smile and eat it anyway! Loved the fur burger story! My guess is he'd think it insane to waste the food and accidents happen (look where some of these people come from...they're not like us...they're trying to move up and the wait staff are going to be the least informed, kindly (or not) ignorant and just need a job. The waiter warming his thumb in the mashed potatoes for his rheumatism may have been OK at his house ( I wouldn't be happy) but some of these nice folk REALLY ARE very very ill informed and ignorant. They just plain don't know our standards; some are still in the medieval era up north and surely medieval people didn't sweat hair or fingers in the food (except high Europe). I'd hate it too but think from their view...the ignorance I learned is deep and low paying people will be the wait staff who have more of it.

I love it all, even the bad service and the mini scams because it's likely been this way forever. it's Thailand! Order fresh juice and get it out of a carton? BFD! drink it and say "that wasn't fresh..".smile and tell them you caught them! They'll get it. You got juice, no one died and you got it cheaper than farangland. That's happened to me, too but i laughed when I drank it (hotel breakfast). I'm definitely NOT taking it out on some underpaid waiter!

Want bad service where they thrown down the plate and don't care what you asked for? Try some places in China. Thailand is a dream....this is Asia, gotta change your expectations completely and have fun.

Edited July 10, 2009 by HYENA

[HYENA]

KFC is doing it's best to irritate me and my wife lately.

Went into one in Utong last weekend and they would not honour one of the latest promotions so we ordered a couple of burgers. After about 30 minutes they had not arrived. On asking where our burgers were they informed us that they had run out! We left.

In Kanchanaburi KFC yesterday went in and ordered a burger, I'm a glutton for punished, to be told that they had run out of burger buns! Left again!

Obviously a farang chain supply problem.

I'd rather have Thai food than KFC; maybe it's natural selection of the healthiest foods...Buddha is preventing you from a heart attack!

[edwinchester]

KFC is doing it's best to irritate me and my wife lately.

Went into one in Utong last weekend and they would not honour one of the latest promotions so we ordered a couple of burgers. After about 30 minutes they had not arrived. On asking where our burgers were they informed us that they had run out! We left.

In Kanchanaburi KFC yesterday went in and ordered a burger, I'm a glutton for punished, to be told that they had run out of burger buns! Left again!

Obviously a farang chain supply problem.

I'd rather have Thai food than KFC; maybe it's natural selection of the healthiest foods...Buddha is preventing you from a heart attack!

Your right of course and I love Thai food too so I hate myself when I go into KFC but about once every few months can't help myself. Wifey likes the wings anyway!

Now what I really crave is a good British doner kebab after a few drinks on a Friday night but have never found those in Kanchanaburi.

[IanForbes]

Good post, HYENA, you and I think alike when it comes to Thai customs. I mostly eat in little Thai cafes where you sit on plastic stool at metal tables. My Thai meal costs me about 30 baht and I can be a big spender and give them 40 baht. Because I eat in the same few places on a regular basis they give me larger portions than they give other people.

As far as proper dining is concerned it doesn't really matter because I'm only there for the company I'm with. I hardly even notice the food or what it costs. It HAS amused me that in Thai restaurants where we go as group of 6 or more the Thais tend to serve each person one at a time, and the first guy served will be long finished his meal before the last person is even served. I chalk it up to one cook in the kitchen using one wok, and he can only prepare one meal at a time. Now if we go as a group we find it better to dine at one of those cook your own meal places where they put a little stove on your table and you choose food from a huge table of veggies and meat.

[Datsun240Z]

Devil's advocate for a good percentage (not all) of ankle biter issues I read here:

There are many complaints I read where some don't seem to understand Thai customs and the Thai way. It's not farangland so TV's and loud music are appropriate for a Thai restaurant in Thailand (they think noise brings customers...or turn it up so the cook can hear, too) and standing waiting for the tip isn't out of place because 1. Likely some may have run off which would devastate their 150 baht a day pay and 2. What's the secret? We're pulling out our money and giving it to them anyway (they likely are thinking this way) so why the big secret if they're going to be given the tip by us to them anyway, why walk away like some big secret...open the wallet, pay the bill and the tip while they stand there. why walk twice to get it? Why walk twice for drinks then the food? They're not used to the inefficiencies of "politeness" we perceive as classy. I got over that.

These people have absolutely no European history so placing our values on them and our expectations to their service is unfair to them. I hear common repeated complaints which tells me there must be a reason they all do it that way or they just plain don't know only to be chewed out or rejected by a customer (only some here) for something that may have been just fine in their culture.

The first post and this "I am the customer, treat me like royalty" attitude is unique to us. My wife and I get bad service at one place, we'll skip it for a couple weeks and try again but also before eating ask about the size of the portions, do they have this, that, etc. My wife snoops around the kitchen (near it) and asks questions before we sit since it's a crapshoot and anyone can open a restaurant so these people just plain don't know or may not care or maybe in their culture it's enough they're offering sustenance to people; who knows? I do know in many places thanking someone is a no-no while other places it's compulsory. I remember thanking someone and getting laughed at because they were doing their duty and they didn't work for me (like a 7-11...can't recall the country)....all a frame of mind.

Back to hovering...my guess statistically a hoverer will get a larger tip because they're standing right there. 150 a day, I would too. I'm no king. Maybe a "good worker" is perceived to be "attentive" and they think they're treating you like a king being by your side at your call. It is only our culture that "needs space". Remember, Thais don't get claustrophobic and don't do much of the privacy thing (and many farang live alone, kick kids/parents out of the house, etc). These are "herd animals" we're loner animals :-)

Eating separate or as soon as the food is ready: Apparently people who are thought to have traveled a long distance, it is polite to not hesitate to begin eating regardless of the order or when the "other dish" is ready, etc. My guess this custom was from the old days where people would trek for days not eating until their destination so food and sustenance was on the priority list. I thought that was fascinating and I started eating as soon as my food arrived from there out.

I have to laugh at the never going back to buy cigarettes because of a whopping 2 baht ripoff. Mai pen rai! I get ripped off daily but if it's minimal, I don't sweat it. Sometimes I'll smile at them and say "I know what you just did" and they sheepishly correct it and never do it again. I allowed face saving so theyll treat me well next time; come on...2 baht? They're friendly people and smiling when stating your concerns always works like a charm. Interview briefly the restaurant while looking at the menu at the door before sitting (we always do this now) asking polite questions (my wife is the Thai food connoisseur so she's lung mat about her tom macoom).

I'd venture to say they do their best and if it's not good enough, smile and eat it anyway! Loved the fur burger story! My guess is he'd think it insane to waste the food and accidents happen (look where some of these people come from...they're not like us...they're trying to move up and the wait staff are going to be the least informed, kindly (or not) ignorant and just need a job. The waiter warming his thumb in the mashed potatoes for his rheumatism may have been OK at his house ( I wouldn't be happy) but some of these nice folk REALLY ARE very very ill informed and ignorant. They just plain don't know our standards; some are still in the medieval era up north and surely medieval people didn't sweat hair or fingers in the food (except high Europe). I'd hate it too but think from their view...the ignorance I learned is deep and low paying people will be the wait staff who have more of it.

I love it all, even the bad service and the mini scams because it's likely been this way forever. it's Thailand! Order fresh juice and get it out of a carton? BFD! drink it and say "that wasn't fresh..".smile and tell them you caught them! They'll get it. You got juice, no one died and you got it cheaper than farangland. That's happened to me, too but i laughed when I drank it (hotel breakfast). I'm definitely NOT taking it out on some underpaid waiter!

Want bad service where they thrown down the plate and don't care what you asked for? Try some places in China. Thailand is a dream....this is Asia, gotta change your expectations completely and have fun.

No, but you can do to the manager. So if all folks would say nothing, than nothing would change...

Thailand will eventually become modernized, it may take another 100 years, who knows....

[Datsun240Z]

Good post, HYENA, you and I think alike when it comes to Thai customs. I mostly eat in little Thai cafes where you sit on plastic stool at metal tables. My Thai meal costs me about 30 baht and I can be a big spender and give them 40 baht. Because I eat in the same few places on a regular basis they give me larger portions than they give other people.

Same same, gotta love the local eating joints

[Theyreallrubbish]

Since the thread seems to have morphed slightly I'll add my experience in Tesco today.

Went to buy a fridge. They have one at a promotional price. I checked other places and decided to buy this one.

Stood around the fridge for a while looking for a staff member. Inexplicably none around so I walked over to where a girl was selling mobile phones and told her I wanted to buy the fridge. She went off and came back with a Thai staff member.

I told him I wanted to buy this fridge and pointed at it. He asked what color and I said this color. He had a look at the box next to it and seemed to be noting something. He then asked me to follow and I thought we were going to the service desk.

As we walked off I noticed I had now attracted 3 sales staff.

We walked deeper into the fridge section and he pointed at a different fridge and said, "This one very nice."

"Yes it is." I replied, "But I want the one I showed you."

There were now 5 sales people around me and a new guy asked me to come over here. I wandered over and he began opening other fridges. "This one very good."

"I'm sure its wonderful, but I don't want that one. I want the one I asked for."

"What about this one? You like the color?"

By now there were 7 sales staff and they were all standing by different fridges and each was calling out and competing to try and entice me to the fridge they were at.

"I have already looked at many fridges and I know the one I want."

There was a collective sigh of disappointment and the original salesman re-appeared from wherever he had been hiding and finally led me to the service desk.

Paid for the fridge but couldn't pay for a small item I'd picked up unless I agreed to leave it to be delivered as well! Went to the next service desk where a different guy took down my address (written in Thai) for delivery. The address was on quite a major road, but although he knew the road and knew the landmarks I said I lived near to he didn't know where it was. About 15 minutes of me drawing maps ensued covering 4 sheets of paper, but he finally agreed he knew where to go.

I head off satisfied in my accomplishments for the day in buying a fridge and do some shopping in other parts of the store. So about 30 minutes later I've just returned to my car and am climbing in when my phone rings and its Tesco Lotus. Can I come back to the service desk.

OK, back I go to the service desk to be greeted by a completely new guy. He also has no idea where my address is, (Although he also knows the road and the landmarks nearby) so I redo my map drawing until I have a brain wave and get out my phone and show him exactly the route on Nokia maps with Thai road names.

Despite all this I am completely confident my fridge will arrive on time tomorrow as I've been through this before. They seem completely clueless and even brain damaged at times but everything gets done just fine.

[IanForbes]

Funny story, Theyreallrubbish, thanks. I could picture the whole proceedings because I've been through something similar. Many Thais don't understand maps... no matter how good they are, but, they always seem to know how to get somewhere. Me? I'm lost without maps. Go figure.

[Jingthing]

HYENA: Order fresh juice and get it out of a carton? BFD! drink it and say "that wasn't fresh..".smile and tell them you caught them! They'll get it. You got juice, no one died and you got it cheaper than farangland.

Who cares what juice out of a carton costs in any other country than Thailand when you LIVE in Thailand?

Especially when your ordered FRESH juice anyway? Might as well be the price of parrot's urine, its not relevant.

I don't know what alternative universe you live in but when a business advertises one thing of a better quality and gives you an inferior product without telling you and expects you to PAY for the superior product which they didn't provide, they are CHEATING you, here or anywhere. I am glad for you if you are made of money and think it is hilarious and charming every time a business cheats you. Ha ha, smile smile, my bean freakin' rye bread (sic), and go elsewhere, they lost my business. I can't be bothered with thieving businesses ... There are WAY too many options of where to spend our money in Thailand, we don't have power here, but that power we do have, and we should use it.

Your point about hovering tip hungry waiters was more interesting. However, I seriously doubt the waiters have done a scientific study of tip generation, hovering vs. non-hovering. In my case, the hovering reduces their tip, and I know I am not alone on that.

Edited July 10, 2009 by Jingthing

[FairwayJack]

We no longer eat at Pizza Hut after seeing a young kitchen worker sneezing and coughing directly onto the salad bar. The Nara restaurant chain is off our "go to" list as well. Once got a half an onion in my calzone there. This was a few years ago. I really do miss good Italian (fast) food.

[torrenova]

Burger King delivery frustrates me. It is owned by the Minor Food Group which runs Pixxa Company who have the best website for dealing with orders in a foreign language I have ever come across. Now I know they've screwed up a couple of times but usually they can read !

So why don't they use the same principal for BK ? Order on the internet, have it your way and if they really need to, they can phone you up. I guess 50% of deliveries are screwed up.

And there is another Thai problem. Say you order a meal and they screw up the burger. They don't replace the meal, only the burger (unless you really let rip on the phone).

Why are restaurant delivery services really crap ? Why do the restaurants put in lower quality food with almost no care ?

[zorro1]

the new Australian bar at soi 11 BKK. Watched the state of origin and didn't like they way the stuck the tab to the edge of the bar facing away from the client and out of site so firstly you would never know what you were paying or how many you had on a big night. Only had a few and gave watress 1000bht and get change from 500bht. Complained so she went to the till operator who gave the money straight back without hesitation, totall scam. Wont go back as its WAY overpriced anyway even for soi 11

Edited July 11, 2009 by zorro1

[Bjorn]

I never go to a "farang" restaurang with my thai gf that has farang and thai food in the menu and they charge a fortune for a simple thai dish (my gf prefers thai food). It is clear that the restaurang owner wants to rip off the farang since he is often the one paying for the bill.

I also avoids all restaurangs with a thai menu with "normal" prices and a farang meny with very high prices.

Since I'm living in Northeast of Thailand, I normally have no problems with above. I lived in Bangkok for 5 years and that was a diiferent story (not to mention all my weekend trips to Pattaya)

[Bagwan]

One evening 'er that does the ironing and I were strolling along the south end of Walking Street on our way home. I noticed an attractive looking seafood restaurant on the seaward side and I pointed out that it might make a good venue for a celebratory dinner for her birthday the following week when we usually entertain some of her friends. We stopped and started to review the bill of fare that was on show.

A Thai guy who I assumed was the proprietor emerged and watched us as we scanned the menu and beckoned us to come inside. I smiled and shook my head. My wife spoke to him in Thai and said that we had already eaten. She was about to tell him that we would probably come back on her birthday with a few friends but he lost all reason and started to rant and rave. He almost screamed at us wanting to know why we were perusing the menus when we were not going to eat. He finished his outburst with the phrase '<deleted> off', the only bit that I understood. I was gobsmacked and ready the chin the prat, but not my treasure. Normally the most placid of people, even for a Thai, she launched into a furious tirade. I heard her call him 'kwai' a few times, but the rest was lost on me. She told me afterwards that she told him why we were looking and his attitude had ensured that we would never darken his doors. He had lost about 8-10 prospective diners the following week.

He quietened down and offered to shake my hand. I refused, muttered 'va t'en', and we departed. I do hope somebody explained to him what I had said.

Pattaya in particular is one big service industry. It is about time that the locals learnt the meaning of 'service' and 'customer satisfaction' particularly at this difficult time for many businesses. Understand and tending to a customers wants and needs accompanied by a good attitude will help them survive. Following a mantra of 'this is Thailand and we do it our way' may well be suicidal. If businesses go to the wall, then good riddance to bad rubbish. They simply haven't learnt good commercial practices.

Before some unthinking troll jumps in, claiming that I want to turn LoS into beautiful downtown Boise - or Scunthorpe - I recommend that they eat more fish. It is supposed to be good for the brain. For all the stories we have been regaled with here, my guess is that, on balance, most would never think of returning to their native heath.

[toptuan]

That "golden"moment was when, in the corner of my eye, I saw a stray dog peeing in the dishwater.

[Jingthing]

He almost screamed at us wanting to know why we were perusing the menus when we were not going to eat.

Wow. Was he afraid you would wear out his precious menu by turning the pages? I peruse menus quite frequently when I am not hungry, just to check out what a place has for future reference. I have never ever had a restauranteur abuse me for doing so. I would actually like to know the name of this place, they deserve special attention for that outrage. Cheers.

Edited July 11, 2009 by Jingthing

[Theyreallrubbish]

Since the thread seems to have morphed slightly I'll add my experience in Tesco today.

Went to buy a fridge. They have one at a promotional price. I checked other places and decided to buy this one.

Stood around the fridge for a while looking for a staff member. Inexplicably none around so I walked over to where a girl was selling mobile phones and told her I wanted to buy the fridge. She went off and came back with a Thai staff member.

I told him I wanted to buy this fridge and pointed at it. He asked what color and I said this color. He had a look at the box next to it and seemed to be noting something. He then asked me to follow and I thought we were going to the service desk.

As we walked off I noticed I had now attracted 3 sales staff.

We walked deeper into the fridge section and he pointed at a different fridge and said, "This one very nice."

"Yes it is." I replied, "But I want the one I showed you."

There were now 5 sales people around me and a new guy asked me to come over here. I wandered over and he began opening other fridges. "This one very good."

"I'm sure its wonderful, but I don't want that one. I want the one I asked for."

"What about this one? You like the color?"

By now there were 7 sales staff and they were all standing by different fridges and each was calling out and competing to try and entice me to the fridge they were at.

"I have already looked at many fridges and I know the one I want."

There was a collective sigh of disappointment and the original salesman re-appeared from wherever he had been hiding and finally led me to the service desk.

Paid for the fridge but couldn't pay for a small item I'd picked up unless I agreed to leave it to be delivered as well! Went to the next service desk where a different guy took down my address (written in Thai) for delivery. The address was on quite a major road, but although he knew the road and knew the landmarks I said I lived near to he didn't know where it was. About 15 minutes of me drawing maps ensued covering 4 sheets of paper, but he finally agreed he knew where to go.

I head off satisfied in my accomplishments for the day in buying a fridge and do some shopping in other parts of the store. So about 30 minutes later I've just returned to my car and am climbing in when my phone rings and its Tesco Lotus. Can I come back to the service desk.

OK, back I go to the service desk to be greeted by a completely new guy. He also has no idea where my address is, (Although he also knows the road and the landmarks nearby) so I redo my map drawing until I have a brain wave and get out my phone and show him exactly the route on Nokia maps with Thai road names.

Despite all this I am completely confident my fridge will arrive on time tomorrow as I've been through this before. They seem completely clueless and even brain damaged at times but everything gets done just fine.

Just to update. Fridge arrived exactly on time.

Went to buy some furniture today from the factories around Lamphun and what a terrific service!

Having bought furniture in the UK and always having to wait 1-3 months for delivery, even if you say you'll take the display model in the store today was a breath of fresh air.

I pointed out half a dozen items I wanted and went back to the office to pay the bill and arrange delivery. A bit more map making, but not nearly as much as in Tesco the previous day. I then asked when delivery would be. "Between 3:30 and 4 p.m."

"Ok, but what day?"

"Today"

Bear in mind I ordered the furniture at about 1:30 p.m and even my driving quite fast its 30+ minutes from the factory to my home.

They also surprised me as I got out my money to pay the whole bill and they told me no! I only pay a small deposit and pay the full amount after its delivered.

Got to give credit where its due sometimes. The factory outlets provide terrific service.

[Bagwan]

He almost screamed at us wanting to know why we were perusing the menus when we were not going to eat.

Wow. Was he afraid you would wear out his precious menu by turning the pages? I peruse menus quite frequently when I am not hungry, just to check out what a place has for future reference. I have never ever had a restauranteur abuse me for doing so. I would actually like to know the name of this place, they deserve special attention for that outrage. Cheers.

It is the last fish restaurant on Walking Street on the seaward side going towards Bali Hai pier.

Bali Hai? Anybody who saw the film 'South Pacific' would roll their eyes at the very thought. BTW the thought of France Nuyen who played Liat still stirs my loins 50 years on.

My all time record disaster was the Euro restaurant on the front at Jomtien. I finished my three course meal and was outside enjoying a post prandial smoke before anybody else was served with their first course. I used to dine there regularly as the food was good but never went back after that.

[ThaiBasil]

That "golden"moment was when, in the corner of my eye, I saw a stray dog peeing in the dishwater.

...... nasty, were you just finished eating or was about to order???

[Birdman]

Realising the exorbitant prizes at a major foreign self service coffee chain and getting for that a sub standard ice coffee.

[mysterybkk]

i love how so many of you are complaining about the bad service and the horrible standards you are receiving and how this would never happen "back home". if you like back home so much then you should move back there. but i'm guessing you cant feed your whole family over there for 400 baht.

of course we have some horror stories, it happens once in a while. bad service? it's called thai service, it's not that they are all out to give you bad service, it's just how it's done in this country.

lack of hygiene? take a look around. we're not in europe, what do you expect in this country? that every roadside restaurant have a clean kitchen and that they wash their dishes with soap?

i've experienced it all, from hair in my food, to bugs on the table, dogs peeing on chairs and rude staff. so what, i'm in thailand. if i want to live in my sterile little protective bubble i can go move to europe. but where's the fun in that?

[Groongthep]

Realising the exorbitant prizes at a major foreign self service coffee chain and getting for that a sub standard ice coffee.

If the place is self service then wouldn't you have made the iced coffee yourself?

[TheWalkingMan]

A lot of the complaints are really about common sense things. Anyone who cannot see this mystifies. Sure Thailand is not the West or Japan but a little common sense would eliminate a lot of the complaints. I really do not have a problem with people complaining as common sense should be something of a global standard and not excluded with the excuse TiT or if you don't like it leave.

TheWalkingMan

Edited July 19, 2009 by TheWalkingMan

[Soutpeel]

if you like back home so much then you should move back there.

What an original comment....think it up all by yourself did you???

[mysterybkk]

if you like back home so much then you should move back there.

What an original comment....think it up all by yourself did you???

mommy had to help with that one.

[caf]

if you like back home so much then you should move back there.

What an original comment....think it up all by yourself did you???

mommy had to help with that one.

2 people in the same family without a brain. What about the rest of the brood if there is one

[Soutpeel]

if you like back home so much then you should move back there.

What an original comment....think it up all by yourself did you???

mommy had to help with that one.

2 people in the same family without a brain. What about the rest of the brood if there is one

[Latindancer]

One evening 'er that does the ironing and I were strolling along the south end of Walking Street on our way home. I noticed an attractive looking seafood restaurant on the seaward side and I pointed out that it might make a good venue for a celebratory dinner for her birthday the following week when we usually entertain some of her friends. We stopped and started to review the bill of fare that was on show.

A Thai guy who I assumed was the proprietor emerged and watched us as we scanned the menu and beckoned us to come inside. I smiled and shook my head. My wife spoke to him in Thai and said that we had already eaten. She was about to tell him that we would probably come back on her birthday with a few friends but he lost all reason and started to rant and rave. He almost screamed at us wanting to know why we were perusing the menus when we were not going to eat. He finished his outburst with the phrase '<deleted> off', the only bit that I understood. I was gobsmacked and ready the chin the prat, but not my treasure. Normally the most placid of people, even for a Thai, she launched into a furious tirade. I heard her call him 'kwai' a few times, but the rest was lost on me. She told me afterwards that she told him why we were looking and his attitude had ensured that we would never darken his doors. He had lost about 8-10 prospective diners the following week.

He quietened down and offered to shake my hand. I refused, muttered 'va t'en', and we departed. I do hope somebody explained to him what I had said.

It's quite probable that he suffers from a mental disorder such as Bipolar Disorder, and needs medication, rather than "special attention". The same type of thing happened to me in Australia, but as I have a bipolar friend, I recognized the signs in the restaurant owner's behaviour.