craigt3365 Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 This is a great thread....so one troll post has been deleted. Let's at least have one thread where it's doesn't get ruined by troll posts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 This is a great thread....so one troll post has been deleted. Let's at least have one thread where it's doesn't get ruined by troll posts. Ah, cummon now Craig... I got the troller And I got the bait... Except the bait is getting a bit old and it ain't as good as it used to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetotravel Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 I think that's a trawler...and the bait is still very effective, especially here in LOS! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 I think that's a trawler...and the bait is still very effective, especially here in LOS! No, it's NOT a trawler. A trawler is much bigger and pulls a funnel net to scoop up various species. I am VERY familiar with that particular red troller.We usually go out with just two of us, but sometimes with a third man. It is an old wooden boat. Most trawlers are made of steel or aluminum. We fish for salmon. Trawlers usually fish for hake. pollock and cod. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 This is a great thread....... Yes -- and all the nice do-gooders get a gold star next to their name on the bulletin board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 This is a great thread....... Yes -- and all the nice do-gooders get a gold star next to their name on the bulletin board. But that's not the idea of random acts of kindness. We don't give a shit about getting any recognician. The joy you get is doing the deed. I used to be a tightwad who watched every penny. Now I'm much happier giving my money away to people who need it more than me. It came like an epiphany for me and I've changed 180 degrees from what I was once like. And, I'm MUCH happier because of it.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Loz Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 I'm with Ian on this. Maybe because I too did a 180 about being materialistic. Its much better to give for giving's sake that to always looking for what you can get. Yesterday I had a new gear selector pedal put on my bike. the old one was left in the basket. I parked up near a scrap collector and saw they were a bit wary of me so I put the gear pedal near the bin and walked off. They came and took it and stowed it away. I was overcome with the desire to go back and give the poor dear my bike! You have to be careful! lol. it can get out of hand. I do now feel though, there is much more pleasure in giving than receiving. When they see you don't want anything in return, sometimes you get this look of confused wonder. Its worth the price right there. You've just shown someone that not everyone is self centred cu**! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirineou Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 As The OP stated "the art of gift giving", and it is an art. It is a component of the Politics of every day life. For some people these behaviors become part of their personality, and thus seem to move Effortless though life, others consider them "bribes". They don't understand the Economics of life, the "give and take". They keep spitting in the wind, and become bitter when the spit comes back and hits them in the face. It is a sad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JurgenG Posted April 23, 2011 Author Share Posted April 23, 2011 As The OP stated "the art of gift giving", and it is an art. It is a component of the Politics of every day life. For some people these behaviors become part of their personality, and thus seem to move Effortless though life, others consider them "bribes". They don't understand the Economics of life, the "give and take". They keep spitting in the wind, and become bitter when the spit comes back and hits them in the face. It is a sad I completely agree with you, it needs to become part of your personality, something you do naturally, not something forced because you expect something. People can feel the difference and won't answer the same way. This afternoon I went to this fair in Hong Kong to meet some people. I was wandering in the alleys when I met this italian guy selling coffee machines. He wasn't very happy because he didn't get any real good contacts this year. I joked a bit with him, telling him his machine was my favorite coffee maker (true) and how good it was. He was packing, he handed me one saying like this he wouldn't have to carry it back home . So now I've a brand new coffee machine free of charge. I'm sure if I had told him "get lost loser, everybody has his own problem" I wouldn't be so lucky ! Sorry, I wanted to post a picture of my new coffee machine. I keep on uploading the picture but then it disappears and I can't find it again. Suffice to say it's a nice traditional italian coffee machine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flatouthruthefog Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 <br /><br />Great approach. We usually give workers at our home a drink or a snack. When we need help, they are right there. It's not a bribe...just something nice being done for them and it goes a long way.<br /><br /><br /><br />Ah.... but you are expecting something in return, therefore is a "bribe" not a gift.....<img src='http://static.thaivisa.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br /><br /><br /><br />These few posts of yours here tell us all more about you than the whole of the topic. Thanks for revealing yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 As The OP stated "the art of gift giving", and it is an art. It is a component of the Politics of every day life. For some people these behaviors become part of their personality, and thus seem to move Effortless though life, others consider them "bribes". They don't understand the Economics of life, the "give and take". They keep spitting in the wind, and become bitter when the spit comes back and hits them in the face. It is a sad This is true. I'm just a pensioner with a limited income. But, it takes so little to help someone in Thailand that you can feel like a king by helping others. Sure I get something in return. I get the satisfaction of seeing a smile on someone's face. That makes my day. I seldom give to charities in North America because too many of them are just scams to pay people at the top large salaries. People already have too much in my country. The ones that don't are mostly there by choice. Canada already has a government run social network to help people in need. Unfortunately, most of the needy abuse the charity they receive and expect more. I've often thought that those Canadians on social assistence should spend a little time in Thailand to see how people survive and yet still have a smile on their face. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 23, 2011 Share Posted April 23, 2011 On the family side, to bring a gift is a simple way of showing you still think of people when you are not around........ In the case of the security guard/auto cleaner and gifts.............you are showing that their efforts are appreciated............... why not? Edit: don't forget, if you tip well, you are not only paying for the service you just had......... That is often the case. It's just showing someone that you thought about them when you were apart. It is a sign of showing respect. Respect for others is high on the list of Thai culture. I have a friend who owns a lady bar in Chiang Mai. He is happily married with children and he treats all the bar girls like they were his daughters. They return the favour and call him "Papa". If one of them has problems then he is there to help. It The trust is returned by his staff and the bar runs smoothly and efficiently when he is away. It is NOT a case of bribery. It is a sign of respect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigt3365 Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Several off topic posts deleted. Unfortunately, a few associated replies also. I knew this thread would go downhill eventually. Sad. But, congrats to the few who helped this thread along in a positive way... :jap: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckamuck Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Yes it is good to grease the wheels if you are looking for a smooth ride. Gifts are fun and it is good for the soul, my wife is a gifting addict. The disappointing part is when it becomes an expectation or a necessity. Like when I have to provide a gift to receive a service that I am already entitled to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JurgenG Posted April 24, 2011 Author Share Posted April 24, 2011 Yes it is good to grease the wheels if you are looking for a smooth ride. Gifts are fun and it is good for the soul, my wife is a gifting addict. The disappointing part is when it becomes an expectation or a necessity. Like when I have to provide a gift to receive a service that I am already entitled to. It's true, to follow up on my OP, the parking attendants kind of expects my gifts. When I park, they have a look, does he have something for us today? It's true I also kind of expect when the car park is full, they will find a space for me. But if they don't, it doesn't matter. Just the fact that when I park my car or take it back, everybody smile, waive and say hello is good enough. What I give them is nothing much, just from time to time a bag full of goodies. They especially likes the caps. When they see me, they point to the cap they're wearing with a big "thank you" smile. Just that really makes my day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Along with my family and some well-to-do friends I covered the stipend costs for a student who is blind after he won full academic merit scholarship for an advanced degree at a graduate research institute in Bangkok. I don't expect anything in return at least not until he becomes an MP or Bangkok Governor which -- considering what he has accomplished to date and that he already represents the Thai Government at International diplomatic functions -- is not so far fetched. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teddy_bare Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 This is a great thread....... Yes -- and all the nice do-gooders get a gold star next to their name on the bulletin board. But that's not the idea of random acts of kindness. We don't give a shit about getting any recognician. The joy you get is doing the deed. I used to be a tightwad who watched every penny. Now I'm much happier giving my money away to people who need it more than me. It came like an epiphany for me and I've changed 180 degrees from what I was once like. And, I'm MUCH happier because of it.. It's been psychologically proven that giving makes the individual giving happier than if they were receiving. I guess people like Buffet and Gates are leading the way in highlighting these finding. After I read the report, I tried it. It definately works. And as others have said, it works for them. I am not quite in a position where I can give loads away, but even the smallest of gifts makes someones day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzaa09 Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 This is a great thread....... Yes -- and all the nice do-gooders get a gold star next to their name on the bulletin board. But that's not the idea of random acts of kindness. We don't give a shit about getting any recognician. The joy you get is doing the deed. I used to be a tightwad who watched every penny. Now I'm much happier giving my money away to people who need it more than me. It came like an epiphany for me and I've changed 180 degrees from what I was once like. And, I'm MUCH happier because of it.. It's been psychologically proven that giving makes the individual giving happier than if they were receiving. I guess people like Buffet and Gates are leading the way in highlighting these finding. After I read the report, I tried it. It definately works. And as others have said, it works for them. I am not quite in a position where I can give loads away, but even the smallest of gifts makes someones day. And such lifting character doesn't even have to reflected with a physical gift - doing something nice for someone, helping out in time of need, activities of any assistance, etc. All positive forces to be gathered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 ... as attributed to former US President Harry S. Truman: “It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 ... as attributed to former US President Harry S. Truman: "It is amazing how much you can accomplish when it doesn't matter who gets the credit." Excellent statement. Didn't he also say... "Walk softly and carry a big stick"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 No, that was Teddy Roosevelt (not FDR) ... but Truman also said : "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 No, that was Teddy Roosevelt (not FDR) ... but Truman also said : "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." Thanks for the correction. They were both strong, wise men... loved by many and hated by some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jazzbo Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 (edited) ... and the 2 US Presidents were of a great contrast: Roosevelt was from a prominent wealthy Dutch family who settled in New York in the 1600s; Truman was a dirt poor failed haberdasher from small-town Missouri. My personal (and original) maxim for my NGO activities -- when dealing with the well-entrenched interests -- is: To be polite is to be ignored. ... You might be ignored anyway but those interests really hope by ignoring you, you might just go away. Edited April 24, 2011 by jazzbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anterian Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 i have a large toolkit, both hand and power tools, everyone borrows them, they come back cleaner than when lent, because I'm a lazy sod at maintenance I take photos of kids and village events, print them out and give them away. Being neighbourly is not bribery. A couple of years ago i rounded up all the stray tomcats in the village and had them neutered, not only did this stop an imminent feline population explosion, it made the nights quieter. I politely did not notice that many of the cats were not strays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mstribling Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 I buy the guards a bottle of whisky about every two weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 I buy the guards a bottle of whisky about every two weeks. Ahhhh, so NOW we know when all the break-ins occur! :lol: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sirineou Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 (edited) I buy the guards a bottle of whisky about every two weeks..Great Plan Pinky,, when they are drunk we are braking out Edited April 24, 2011 by sirineou Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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