Mental Stimulation And Intelligent Conversation In Thailand?

[coolhandjoe]

I am interested in reading about what long time residents of Thailand do for mental stimulation and intelligent conversation in Thailand. Reading through TV forum there are a lot of knowlegable contributers. Is the stimulation all web based or are there groups of ex-pats who meet up. Just wondering if i could spend my retirement here and feel fully fullfilled.:jap:

[Soutpeel]

Well..there's your first mistake...looking for signs of intelligent conversation of TV, I suspect for the majority of our OAP's TV is the closest they get to any conversation in "proper" English while living in Issan.....

[Forethat]

Well..there's your first mistake...looking for signs of intelligent conversation of TV, I suspect for the majority of our OAP's TV is the closest they get to any conversation in "proper" English while living in Issan.....

I'm curious here - your post implies that an intelligent conversation must take place in English? More so, it has to be "proper English"?

[PattayaParent]

The only chance I have of getting any intelligent conversation is by talking to myself.

[Soutpeel]

Well..there's your first mistake...looking for signs of intelligent conversation of TV, I suspect for the majority of our OAP's TV is the closest they get to any conversation in "proper" English while living in Issan.....

I'm curious here - your post implies that an intelligent conversation must take place in English? More so, it has to be "proper English"?

Seeing as the OP posted in what appear to be native English one assumes the intelligent conversation he seeks would be in English as opposed to Swahili or other language,

proper English as opposed to the pigeon English variety which is commonly spoken by farangs who inhabit the wilds of Issan.

[Awohalitsiktoli]

It is impossible to have such a conversation with a Thai, and many expats are tired of intellectual conversations that lead nowhere. Consider yourself lucky is you can engage in any type of normal conversation with any person in Thailand that does not involves "save the world" or "politics." If you have a need, there are ways of filling it. Action is often a good remedy to endless debate.

[Tonto21]

'Mental stimulation and intelligent conversation in Thailand.' Don't want much…….Do you!

OK, joking aside, sure there are individuals living, or passing though Thailand with whom you could have, I'm sure a stimulation and intelligent 'chin wag' with. However finding said knowledgeable individual could be harder than finding a hairless Albanian.

IMHO there are 3 things working against you, starting with your main obstacles; lack ofyour own language speakers, then theirs the gene pool, (let's be honest, some people only have 2 brain cells, and 1 of them is used for keeping their eyes open) last,but not least, many a farang living in Thailand are fearful and suspicious of other foreigner. I think this feeling is pretty much across the board, to one degree or another, there are some real di*k-heads out here.

As for what Ex-pats do for mental stimulation……………Everything, what floats your boat? There's always TV, no not the 'idiots lantern' in the corner of your room, no mental stimulation there with 'true vision'…………'Thai Visa Forum' I must spend about an hour a day reading the well-crafted dribble and adding my own brand of 'poop' to the mix.

Whatever you do, good luck and stay busy!

Edited July 1, 2011 by Tonto21

[kerryk]

I help good looking Thai doctoral candidates write papers. Although this can be a bit dry it is stimulating. I also help female executives write English email proposals for construction projects. I advise a couple of Thai companies on international business dealings for which I normally get lunch or dinner and any local help I may need. Advising Thai companies is pretty easy, figure out who has the power and agree with him. I don't know anything about oil or gas so I don't talk to ex pats much as most of the ones in my area are in oil or gas.

I don't know much about Thai males but there are a lot of intelligent, educated Thai women who speak English and are usually open to a friendly relationship regardless of age. When I first got here that really struck me as odd. And I looked for all sorts of ulterior motives in the women's behavior but they only wanted friendship and some business insight. One added me to her face book page and from that I met a number of her friends also young ladies involved in corporate business.

I have been getting my hair cut at the same barber shop for three years and yesterday the men were discussing the upcoming election, same as any traditional barber shop around the world. I could have put in my 2 cents in Thai but he was shaving me and our opinions were not quite compatible.

I haven't had any stimulating conversations about ecology or feminism since I have been in Thailand.

Nor have I discussed literature, plays or films much but I have spent countless hours discussing why I like dark skinned women. Teaching jobs are easy to get if you don't care about the pay and a work permit. If you are lucky enough to have a BA in Education and a certification to teach in your native country then you can talk here all you want and get paid well for it. Teaching here is fun if you don't need the money.

[Forethat]

Well..there's your first mistake...looking for signs of intelligent conversation of TV, I suspect for the majority of our OAP's TV is the closest they get to any conversation in "proper" English while living in Issan.....

I'm curious here - your post implies that an intelligent conversation must take place in English? More so, it has to be "proper English"?

Seeing as the OP posted in what appear to be native English one assumes the intelligent conversation he seeks would be in English as opposed to Swahili or other language,

proper English as opposed to the pigeon English variety which is commonly spoken by farangs who inhabit the wilds of Issan.

So you DO imply that an intelligent conversation must take place in "proper" English? What if the conversation tool place in biblical hebrew? Will it have to be "proper" for the conversation to be intelligent?

[geriatrickid]

The cat offers interesting conversation at approximately 06:00 hours eavery day. Breakfast must be served. If I am not fast enough, the poking starts and then the "discussion".

The dog offers conversation too. Sometimes though when I ask where the heck did he find something so disgusting to put in his mouth I don't get a response. However, when I inquire as to his views on political issues, I find that we are usually in agreement.

The last human I nearly had a discussion with wanted to tell me about his diarrhea,

[Soutpeel]

What if the conversation tool place in biblical hebrew? Will it have to be "proper" for the conversation to be intelligent?

Didnt realise there were biblical Hebrewians living in Thailand, learn something new every day....

[Payboy]

Just wondering if i could spend my retirement here and feel fully fullfilled.

Luckily there are plenty of substitutes for intelligent conversation.

[Forethat]

For those who are interested in the mechanisms and role of language in intelligence here is a link to a great lecture. It deals with quesions like:

"How does language contribute to intelligence?" and "Does thought depend on language?"

http://ase.tufts.edu/cogstud/papers/rolelang.htm

Edited July 1, 2011 by Forethat

[Semper]

I am interested in reading about what long time residents of Thailand do for mental stimulation

Drinking beer helps to get through the day.

Can't help you with "Intelligent Conversation" part, as I failed the Mensa test.

Edited July 1, 2011 by Semper

[eyebee]

Try joining a quiz team. There are a number of quiz nights here in Pattaya, and several in Bangkok too. All the guys I know in the quiz teams are knowledgeable, intelligent, and enjoy a good conversation. We may not always agree on things, but it's always friendly. Quizzes also help mental stimulation and help stave off Alzheimer's! (or so I'm told).

After the quiz finishes we often discuss world and local politics, sport, history, religion, music and the price of beer! And it's often fun to discuss things with someone who has a totally different world-view to your own.

[Berkshire]

It is impossible to have such a conversation with a Thai,

Interestingly, I've had many Thais--especially Thai women--tell me that it's virtually impossible to have an intelligent conversation with most farangs. I wonder why that is?

[toybits]

Mental Stimulation and Intelligent Conversation on TV? I don't think so. Most people here are just waiting for the Phuyai Baan to post photos of pretty University co-eds, or b_tching about their girlfriend or being treated (in their opinion) as an ATM by their Thai wife.

Otherwise, it is to complain about not being able to find decent food, or finding things or about why Thais don't speak good English. Sometimes is about farangs complaining about the strange habits of the locals. Jeeez!!!

Intelligent Conversation????

Mental Stimulation????

On TV????

[kerryk]

It is impossible to have such a conversation with a Thai,

Interestingly, I've had many Thais--especially Thai women--tell me that it's virtually impossible to have an intelligent conversation with most farangs. I wonder why that is?

I don't know about you but I avoid talking to Thais about a lot of things because they have a very limited knowledge of history, especially Thai history and Buddhism and world politics. I act dumb when questioned or make up some simplistic answer. Business, entertainment or sex OK.

[cardholder]

Well..there's your first mistake...looking for signs of intelligent conversation of TV, I suspect for the majority of our OAP's TV is the closest they get to any conversation in "proper" English while living in Issan.....

I'm curious here - your post implies that an intelligent conversation must take place in English? More so, it has to be "proper English"?

Also intrigued that he was first off the mark - again !

[IMA_FARANG]

What do I do for Mental Stimulation and Intelligent Conversation in Thailand?

Well, for one thing I am a member of two Buddhist forums....and I am often on their chat room page.

I often post answers and opinions to a post on those forums also.

Not to mention ThaiVisa.

Then I subscribe to a "science" based daily newsltter (on-line) which gives me the latest science based news to consider and comment on.

Then also I subscribe on-line to a Zen monthly newsletter...much of which is based on articles and comments about Zen Buddhisim.

My hobby is genology and I often make comments on there with other people looking for their family and ancestors.

Another hobby is American History...and I belong to two discussion groups about the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.

And then there is my Facebook account and my family pages on facebook where I keep in touch with my cousins and my old school classmates.

And of course I communicate with my brother and sister via my hotmail.

Other than those, I have nothing to do for conversation and mental stimulation in English.

:jap:

[Beetlejuice]

Well..there's your first mistake...looking for signs of intelligent conversation of TV, I suspect for the majority of our OAP's TV is the closest they get to any conversation in "proper" English while living in Issan.....

I'm curious here - your post implies that an intelligent conversation must take place in English? More so, it has to be "proper English"?

Seeing as the OP posted in what appear to be native English one assumes the intelligent conversation he seeks would be in English as opposed to Swahili or other language,

proper English as opposed to the pigeon English variety which is commonly spoken by farangs who inhabit the wilds of Issan.

So you DO imply that an intelligent conversation must take place in "proper" English? What if the conversation tool place in biblical hebrew? Will it have to be "proper" for the conversation to be intelligent?

I don`t think the OP is implying that at all. I can see exactly where he’s coming from.

If you are moving to Thailand and do not already have established friends or contacts here, then you have to consider that making friends among the ex pats is extremely difficult.

Also the same with the Thai communities unless you can speak good enough Thai to hold a conversation.

There are no proper ex pats clubs or meeting places as such and this is probably why Thai visa is so popular.

For socialising there is always the bar scene, but this can prove expensive providing you’re into that sort of thing and don`t expect to have any in depth intelligent conversations in those sorts of establishments.

That’s the way it is.

Welcome to Thailand.

[Berkshire]

It is impossible to have such a conversation with a Thai,

Interestingly, I've had many Thais--especially Thai women--tell me that it's virtually impossible to have an intelligent conversation with most farangs. I wonder why that is?

I don't know about you but I avoid talking to Thais about a lot of things because they have a very limited knowledge of history, especially Thai history and Buddhism and world politics. I act dumb when questioned or make up some simplistic answer. Business, entertainment or sex OK.

The point I was trying to make is that you can in fact have an intelligent conversation with a Thai--if you can speak Thai.

[gburns57au]

If that is important to him then perhaps another country would be better for his retirement plans

[Travel2003]

I actually find it often very stimulating to participate here on TV.

Why?

I have over the years, due to the variety of knowledge/skills the members represent, learned a lot.

There is hardly anything one can not learn about here, or at least get a link to get underway to where one can read and learn about it.

Yes, we sometimes argue/fight and make stupid remarks, etc.

Some of us are here only to make other people angry.

Nevertheless, that too is stimulating for the mind.

Blow out steam is mentally stimulating.

Then there are the Sub Forums.

Some of them are very interesting and are purely info exchange sites.

Especially the Photo forum I like.

I look at myself as a medium intelligent person.

When not on the Forum I have intelligent conversations with my wife, brother, my friends, and colleagues (who live here).

I guess it doesnt matter what one talk about to make it an intelligent conversation.

I know the snobby intelligencia here will disagree.

The ones that claim TV is not a place for an intelligent conversation, but still they are here posting.

[lovelomsak]

Intelligent conversation is something I gave up along time ago. I found even the expats are difficult to have a real conversation with.

For mental stimulation I have only been able to find Shockwave Unlimited game site on the internet to stimulate me.

Most of my day to day stimulation comes from figuring out who is trying to scam me. Then finding a diplomatic way to have the scam go sideways. I enjoy interacting with people who survive by their wits.

[StreetCowboy]

The only chance I have of getting any intelligent conversation is by talking to myself.

You're lucky you can get a decent conversation; I'm stuck talking to a boring pedantic pretentious git.

SC

[true blue]

can not say tv members,have no sense of humour,though,some real funny posts on this subject.

[endure]

It is impossible to have such a conversation with a Thai, and many expats are tired of intellectual conversations that lead nowhere. Consider yourself lucky is you can engage in any type of normal conversation with any person in Thailand that does not involves "save the world" or "politics." If you have a need, there are ways of filling it. Action is often a good remedy to endless debate.

[Forethat]

There are no proper ex pats clubs or meeting places as such and this is probably why Thai visa is so popular.

Of course there are, I'm a member of several, and in addition to that I frequently socialise with alikes in many of the events organised by numerous chambers of commerce and trade councils in Thailand.

[KeyserSoze01]

Mental Stimulation and Intelligent Conversation on TV? I don't think so. Most people here are just waiting for the Phuyai Baan to post photos of pretty University co-eds, or b_tching about their girlfriend or being treated (in their opinion) as an ATM by their Thai wife.

Otherwise, it is to complain about not being able to find decent food, or finding things or about why Thais don't speak good English. Sometimes is about farangs complaining about the strange habits of the locals. Jeeez!!!

Intelligent Conversation????

Mental Stimulation????

On TV????

Case in point.

Expert opinion from another thread.

the only problem with that line of thinking is Palin did not come from money, earned and worked her way through politics to the ranks to a top state gov office and is more qualified to be president than Obama, where as t man is bank rolling his sister who has done zero, has zero history in govt but has run a business imo i would rather have a person who has a long history in creating jobs and making a payroll than someone like obama who has never made payroll or created a job. dont get me wrong i am not a reed shirt fan but palin has paid her dues.

Edited July 2, 2011 by KeyserSoze01