Expat "Acid Test" Poll

[Jingthing]

For entertainment purposes only, I reckon this a pretty good "Acid Test" question to determine how much expats REALLY like living in Thailand.

Two choices only intentionally done. If you can't choose between these two hypothetical choices (and also if you are NOT an expat) just don't vote.

In theory anyway, genuine Thai-ier than Thai persons should vote for the be born a Thai option, yes?

We'll see.

Edited November 22, 2010 by Jingthing

[sarahsbloke]

Much better to be a colonial amongst the savages, than to be a savage.

I can't imagine anyone would vote to be born a savage.

Edited November 22, 2010 by sarahsbloke

[Jingthing]

Much better to be a colonial amongst the savages, than to be a savage.

That comment was delightfully un-PC. I think I need a shower after reading it.

[Ulysses G.]

I am forced to decline to vote as either answer is unacceptable.

[gotlost]

I thank some one has a bad gut ache

[Spoonman]

Living here fulltime and working within 20km's of home on a full expat salary works well for me..... not in the poll though....sigh.

[andrewbkk]

"For entertainment purposes only, I reckon this a pretty good "Acid Test" question to determine how much expats REALLY like living in Thailand."

I see where you're coming from but I don't think this is the best possible Acid Text.

How about: would you still live here if sexual relations between Thai people and foreigners were illegal?

Personally, I'd stay. But I think most wouldn't.

As for being born a Thai (as per you poll), I don't think too many TV members would be happy with the idea of trading in their jumbo sausage for a chipolata.

Edited November 22, 2010 by andrewbkk

[mallyrd]

I don't see anything in this poll that could be considered as an "Acid Test".

[onnut]

This is a good Poll JT, I love Thailand, I love living here but if that meant I had to be born here and be a real Thai then I think I would stick with my own country. no disrespect to the Thais, its just that my country can offer me more than Thailand could ever offer had I been a Thai. Education, Health service and the Benefits had I lost a job. you dont get this in Thailand, but as expats we dont need it as we all earn enough to cover our expenses OR should do.

For an expat, great! for a Thai, I dont think so.

Before anyone gets upset with my views, it would be nice to know what the Thais think and what they would do, I bet they would rather stay in Thailand if that meant they would of had to be born a falang!!!!!

[Jingthing]

Living here fulltime and working within 20km's of home on a full expat salary works well for me..... not in the poll though....sigh.

Intentionally so. Poll critics, send a letter to the Pattaya Mail along with comments on the maltreatment of Kentucky Fried chickens.

[Jingthing]

I am forced to decline to vote as either answer is unacceptable.

That's kind of the point. You need to choose. Get with the program. Think of it this way, it's kind of like most political elections, choice bad vs. choice even more bad. Edited November 22, 2010 by Jingthing

[Jingthing]

I don't see anything in this poll that could be considered as an "Acid Test".

In the Timothy Leary sense?

[maxman71]

The questions are skewed. To be born Thai in the context of this survey means you can never leave Thailand. To be born in your home country means you can still go anywhere else except Thailand. So the "survey" is not capturing those who may dislike living in their home countries, and while they love Thailand, they can still have other countries in which they can go live and work. Thailand is great and overall I really like it here, but it's not the only game on the planet worth playing besides my home country.

[Jingthing]

Yeah but the hypothetical choice isn't about leaving your home country to live anywhere else. It's about Thailand, a question for current expats in Thailand, many of whom obviously have a special feeling about Thailand. I also reject the idea of any implication that most westerners have a realistic option to live abroad in any country they choose. Most don't. Yes, yes, I know not all expats here are westerners ...

Edited November 22, 2010 by Jingthing

[Ulysses G.]

"

I see where you're coming from but I don't think this is the best possible Acid Text.

How about: would you still live here if sexual relations between Thai people and foreigners were illegal?

They already pretty much are as prostitution is illegal, but our Thai hosts have the good sense to ignore such ignorant and repressive laws which is why we love living here so much.

[Ulysses G.]

I am forced to decline to vote as either answer is unacceptable.

That's kind of the point. You need to choose. Get with the program.

Do I get to be fabulously wealthy? Do I get to lord it over the neighbors and and exploit my countrymen and countrywomen to a ridiculous degree? It is not a difficult choice.

Edited November 22, 2010 by Ulysses G.

[DP25]

Assuming everything else stayed basically the same and only my ethnicity changed, being a young, relatively wealthy Thai dude would be <deleted> sweet

Poll options aren't really the same though, born in Thailand and can never leave, or born in my home country and can go everywhere except Thailand.

[Jingthing]

Assuming everything else stayed basically the same and only my ethnicity changed, being a young, relatively wealthy Thai dude would be <deleted> sweet

Poll options aren't really the same though, born in Thailand and can never leave, or born in my home country and can go everywhere except Thailand.

That's because the poll is about how badly expats want to live in Thailand, not how much they want to live in Mexico, Malta, or Mongolia.

No assumption made that you would be a wealthy Thai. In fact, reading the choice, the implication is more like you wouldn't be a wealthy Thai. No chance of leaving Thailand. A wealthy Thai usually could leave Thailand if desired.

Next ...

Edited November 23, 2010 by Jingthing

[DP25]

A poor person could easily leave Thailand too if desired.

The first option would unacceptable no matter what country it was. Give up 95% of the world for the other 5%? No, there is no where on earth great enough to do that.

[Jingthing]

OK, if you don't think the poll asks an interesting or meaningful question in relation to expats in Thailand need/desire to be in Thailand, fine. However, I would like to see some of the poll critics create a different poll that deals with this issue better. I'm waiting.

[Thaddeus]

Sorry JT, too Kobayashi Maru, null vote.

[Jingthing]

Sorry JT, too Kobayashi Maru, null vote.

Made me google.

[GooEng]

the choices clearly do not reflect each and every member's IDEAL choice, but when are ever offered a multiple choice scenario that does? and as jingthing points out, the point is to make a choice from the two offered.

in my opinion it's a no brainer!

i've cast my vote, now where's my ACID ?

[Jingthing]

the choices clearly do not reflect each and every member's IDEAL choice, but when are ever offered a multiple choice scenario that does? and as jingthing points out, the point is to make a choice from the two offered.

in my opinion it's a no brainer!

i've cast my vote, now where's my ACID ?

No acid here, but you passed the test. May I suggest a lime?

[bkkjames]

May I suggest someone offer to consult JT prior to issuing his next pole, can be a thai in thailand or an expat who can't go home.

Those in favor vote 'A', those against vote 'B', those needing further clarification_are kindly invited to click on JT's add me as a friend link on his profile.

[Jingthing]

May I suggest someone offer to consult JT prior to issuing his next pole, can be a thai in thailand or an expat who can't go home.

Those in favor vote 'A', those against vote 'B', those needing further clarification_are kindly invited to click on JT's add me as a friend link on his profile.

Always looking for new ironic friends, but regret to say the Polish consulate is not welcome. Not that I don't savor a big thick juicy keilbasa as well as the next bloke ...

Edited November 24, 2010 by Jingthing

[Suradit]

I don't see anything in this poll that could be considered as an "Acid Test".

Exactly. It’s just someone who's bored playing make-believe close on the heels of Halloween.

If you’re a man who claims he loves women, is the acid test whether or not you’d want to be a woman? Presumably if you were one, with some exceptions, your fascination with them would cease.

If you love football, would you want to be one? Passionate about whales … how’d you feel if you had your very own blowhole?

I greatly enjoy living in Thailand, as I have enjoyed living in other places, at least in part because it is a change from where I have lived before. It’s mostly the people that I like, but also the weather, the geography, the cities, the beaches … the whole package … because of who I am and what I have previously experienced. Change who I am & what I have done in my life, and why would my likes and dislikes not change too?

[Jingthing]

If you’re a man who claims he loves women, is the acid test whether or not you’d want to be a woman? Presumably if you were one, with some exceptions, your fascination with them would cease.

Except if you are a lesbian. This poll ferrets out the Thailand "lesbians" as it were ... and based on the results, I continue to assert it IS a good acid test.

BTW, thanks for the bump!

Next ...

Edited November 28, 2010 by Jingthing

[craigt3365]

I am forced to decline to vote as either answer is unacceptable.

That's kind of the point. You need to choose. Get with the program.

Do I get to be fabulously wealthy? Do I get to lord it over the neighbors and and exploit my countrymen and countrywomen to a ridiculous degree? It is not a difficult choice.

Now that would be nice!!!!

A poor person could easily leave Thailand too if desired.

The first option would unacceptable no matter what country it was. Give up 95% of the world for the other 5%? No, there is no where on earth great enough to do that.

I don't know any poor Thai's who have ever left the country...unless with their boyfriend or after paying 60,000 baht for a job in Israel. Kinda hard to do on 200B per day salary.

[SteeleJoe]

I reckon this a pretty good "Acid Test" question to determine how much expats REALLY like living in Thailand.

Ummm...nope. It's only going to tell you if someone would rather be a Thai if they were not be allowed to be an expat living in Thailand.

I"ve lived here for a very long time and for the most part am glad I have. But given the choices you offer? Nope. No <deleted> way would I be here.