I've worked in the service industry for 10 years in Thailand, dealing mainly with expats, but also their Thai employees. I also mix with these expats socially and at networking/chamber events. Generally expats are a good bunch because we are in a foreign country and have a lot in common no matter where you come from. However, there are certain fields of work that attract people that believe that they are far more important than anyone else and don't mind letting you know it. They are generally pampered with all manner of assistants waiting on them hand and foot and have lost touch with the real world. Having to deal with these people is a nightmare, because no matter how well they are treated, they find things to nitpick about. Even worse, if something goes wrong, or they simply believe that they are not being treated like the 'royalty' they are, all the toys come out of the pram and threats and accusations fly. This is usually the point where they threaten to use their influence to crush you and the company you work for.

For those of you that work in the service industry I am interested to know whether you encounter these sorts of people and which profession normally attracts these sort of fat heads. In my experience, it is never the nationality, more the position or their status that turns normal people into <deleted>.

I am interested in hearing exactly which professions are good and which are bad.

Chamber events - LOL - like incest, most are trying to sell each other something.

there are plenty of those self appointed very important people around all sort of specialists and professionals....

like in my own case for example.... LOL

there is absolutely no one, and may i repeat--no one on either this planet or on mercury,

who can sit up all night, every trading night, in thailand and trade the u.s. and euro markets

with profitability and consistency....

seriously now, those who are really indispensable usually do not have much time on their hands to

s h i t chat or is it chitchat....

whereas those who have plenty of time to socialize are usually trying to legitimize their own importance and indispensibility or is it invincibility....

in my own life time, i met many across various professional line of work....

that reminds me of what dr robert f said repeatedly while i was taking abnormal psy 601 that....

empty vassels sure make plenty of delightful noices

....

but for the super heavy weights in the world, they usually have their own circle of friends and preferred individuals to hang around with at their own conveniences.... mostly they detest interview, nosey people like myself....

L O L

"Having to deal with these people is a nightmare, because no matter how well they are treated, they find things to nitpick about. Even worse, if something goes wrong, or they simply believe that they are not being treated like the 'royalty' they are, all the toys come out of the pram and threats and accusations fly. This is usually the point where they threaten to use their influence to crush you and the company you work for."

you find these type of characters all over the world - its a behavior pattern like a kid without his/her candy.

I tend to steer clear from these types, but if it is your boss, then you either have to put up with it or move on.

Actually my dealing with diplomats and blue ribbon companies are always the most painful. The average expat is usually happy to be in Thailand so has a good attitude.