Acknowleding Other Farangs With A Smile

[Phil Conners]

I don't see any reason why it's necessary to acknowledge other farangs in a different way from how we acknowledge -- or don't acknowledge -- Asians.  Just because they're skin is white?  I certainly don't feel any special camaraderie with someone just because they're the same race as I am.

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Hallelujah .. I never though we'd agree on something

[gburns57au]

When I am sitting in Best friend 16 or the Roo Bar (Aussie bars) in Pattaya I usually say G'day to other farangs in the bar, If I am in another bar, I usually dont unless in response.

I dont say G'day to people on the street unless I have met them before.

In the villages, I usually say G'day to other farangs if for instance we were in the same shop. Sometimes I say G'day and get no response...so I dont bother with that person again.

[autonomous_unit]

...

I think you both missed the point. I think there was no reference to Asians because they are happy to say hello. I find I have no trouble with that. I think I try to at least say hi to a farang more so someone in a work outfit of sorts. Gee, whats wrong with being nice anyway. On that the farangs I've seen recently don't read TV or perhaps its dickie and serendipstick. 

Cc

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Are you sure they missed the point? How many Thais/Asians do you see in a day? What percentage of them say hello, smile, or otherwise acknowledge you? I'm guessing of the five hundred or so Thais I saw yesterday going to an office, taking a few taxis, and then going through the local Tesco Lotus and walking home with arms full of groceries with my wife, maybe 1 or 2% tried to make eye contact and about half of them smiled while doing so. I'm counting only strangers, of course...

If I expected more than 2% of farang strangers to do the same, then I have an expectation that they should give me special treatment because I am a farang! Of course, since I see only a handful of farangs on a similarly busy day (let's say 5 for nice even numbers), that means I should not expect any farang acknowledgement on about 9/10 days in order to match the welcoming spirit of the locals.

[carlthailand]

...

I think you both missed the point. I think there was no reference to Asians because they are happy to say hello. I find I have no trouble with that. I think I try to at least say hi to a farang more so someone in a work outfit of sorts. Gee, whats wrong with being nice anyway. On that the farangs I've seen recently don't read TV or perhaps its dickie and serendipstick. 

Cc

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Are you sure they missed the point? How many Thais/Asians do you see in a day? What percentage of them say hello, smile, or otherwise acknowledge you? I'm guessing of the five hundred or so Thais I saw yesterday going to an office, taking a few taxis, and then going through the local Tesco Lotus and walking home with arms full of groceries with my wife, maybe 1 or 2% tried to make eye contact and about half of them smiled while doing so. I'm counting only strangers, of course...

Is that eye contact. I do not shy away if I have eye contact with someone. I always smile and give a nod or say hello. H3ll if I ran upto everybody in the street to say hi thats would be taking it too the extreme. You answered that yourself anyway. Do you expect everybody to make eye contact. I don't. I just think whether Thai or farang both get my equal time. Don't favor either. Perhaps I was a tad harsh with my comment to dickie and serendickie. So, I apologies.

Anyway, Hello.

Cc

If I expected more than 2% of farang strangers to do the same, then I have an expectation that they should give me special treatment because I am a farang! Of course, since I see only a handful of farangs on a similarly busy day (let's say 5 for nice even numbers), that means I should not expect any farang acknowledgement on about 9/10 days in order to match the welcoming spirit of the locals.

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[aletta]

In the cities don't smile as you would spend your whole time grinning and there are some very sad bods likely to want to be your best friend.

In a small village i smile at all and sundry,Thai and farang.

[Wash]

One other distinct possibility is that the other person just plain doesn't see you. I wear bi fical glasses and am so busy looking out where I am going, between foot obstacles and lower than expected overhead intrusions it is a full time task just to navigate.

I never intend to ignore anyone, farang or other but am just plain too busy moving around. Sorry about that. My wife usually tells me when there is a farang around but it is usually after the fact and well past the point of being able to acknowledge anyone.

So, please if you would be so kind, do tap me on the shoulder and say hello since I am not trying to be haughty or an isolationist at all, but am too busy keeping from getting more scars on my head from the overhanging low flying signs and merchandise. I welcome the contact with other farangs even though that is not why i live in Thailand.

[Jockstar]

I always try and smile or say hello to farang if i see them. Like this moring. Some farang guy came out of his room(not many farang live where i do but there is a couple) I actually had a chat with him. Turned out he was German and had a business here. Nice guy! Then when i was coming home from work . I passed another farang and said hello with a smile. Total Blank. No response. fukc it. No stress. i made the effort.

[Erwin1011]

I don't see any reason why it's necessary to acknowledge other farangs in a different way from how we acknowledge -- or don't acknowledge -- Asians.  Just because they're skin is white?  I certainly don't feel any special camaraderie with someone just because they're the same race as I am.

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ditto.

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concur

[bannork]

People smile at those they share something with: a job, friends, family, a club or joint\ vested interest, a village, a street or a house. To smile at every farang you see encompasses greeting a considerable percentage of the populations of Europe, north America and Australasia, far beyond any individual's psychological capacity.

[bossman]

I don't see any reason why it's necessary to acknowledge other farangs in a different way from how we acknowledge -- or don't acknowledge -- Asians.  Just because they're skin is white?  I certainly don't feel any special camaraderie with someone just because they're the same race as I am.

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I agree with this but i'd like to add that a number of farang in Thailand are kind of scummy. Not exactly the type of people i'd want to associate with normally. I'm more likely to smile and say hello to a passing thai than a farang.

[Totster]

It's a sad truth but some farangs think they are better than the rest....

totster 

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I agree with this but i'd like to add that a number of farang in Thailand are kind of scummy. Not exactly the type of people i'd want to associate with normally. I'm more likely to smile and say hello to a passing thai than a farang.

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I rest my case.....

totster

[meadish_sweetball]

I don't see any reason why it's necessary to acknowledge other farangs in a different way from how we acknowledge -- or don't acknowledge -- Asians.  Just because they're skin is white?  I certainly don't feel any special camaraderie with someone just because they're the same race as I am.

ditto.

concur

Erwin, I am sort of relieved to hear that, for your own personal well-being. If you felt otherwise, chances are you would feel depressed and lonely here, considering the average number of mountain gorillas I see in Thailand in a day. I have never been to Pattaya though.

[Harmonica]

Is it possible that some of these types don't want to acknowledge the fact that they aren't the only farang in town? That if they acknowledge another farang they are somehow giving up the exclusive nature of their private little relationship with Thailand?

Can you please stop giving us so much head?

[johnh101]

I am not going to copy everyone's previous messages but there are a lot good and some ...well not so good.

A smile costs nothing, if someone catches my eye I will always be polite and respond with like. If some one talks I will talk, sometimes I will instigate a conversation........But, as i said in a previous thread sometimes you end up with an a**hole hanging on to you.

My wife is extremely attractive and SOME people just assume that I am lieing and she is rented and it really pi**es me off (and her) when they start asking when I am leaving and what bar does she work in............well, that is when they should get taken out.

But I never invite that kind of sh*t these days and we always politely (I really try) make our excuses and leave.

You meet good and you meet bad wherever you go, filter out the sh*t and sometimes you meet people who become good friends.

Personally I shall carry on and continue my open friendly attitude and would hope that other good people do the same.

[aletta]

You may discover a new friend and it doesn't take too long to spot a wrong un and take your leave.

[The Gentleman Scamp]

I did a post on this subject once.

It really pisses me off, I think half the time they don't smile because like many farangs, they want the country to themselves and don't like the fact they have to share it with others who have made the same discovery and may know Thailand or speak Thai better than them.

Sad isn't it, however it is far more common in Bangkok than anywhere else.

[Oleg_Rus]

Thai men saying hello to me and striking up conversations are basically always gay.  I guess I drive the boys crazy.

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yep, also he could:

1. Practice english for free

2. Try to make some money

3. Has ADD

4. Wierdo

5. Sexually chalenged.

but he can be also just nice person in good mood slightly drunk (or slightly richer than before) who wants to share his happiness. Only one way to know is to say "hi, hawurdoin'", you can always retreat after.

[Boo]

LOL, funny situation in the MIL's town this last holiday. Hubby stopped the car at the local 7-11, as I got out I noticed a youngish looking farang guy standing outside with his g/f (wife??) I kind of looked at him as if to smile & he gave me a huge dirty look & turned away dunno, maybe he thought he was going to be the only farang in an issan town (as if, we are taking over the issan provinces ), or maybe it bothered him that not only wasn't he the only farang in the village but the the other one he saw was a farang women??!! Whatever, he lost out on a freindly smile, so balls to him.