Mental Stimulation And Intelligent Conversation In Thailand?

[dominique355]

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.

I agree with Forethat, there are several such clubs here. I joined the Rotary Club of Bangkok (English speaking club). Besides the good things this club does it also gives me excellent opportunities to meet interesting people and have intelligent conversations with them, leading to friendship and more intellectual stimulation.

[SGD]

If I thought the best intellectual stimulation I would get in retirement in Thailand was Thai Visa, I would save the airfare and drop off at Dignitas on the way.

[livinthailandos]

I like some other postings on here have gone the same way and have just given up. trying to find people to have conversations with is not easy. I realize its just easier to talk to my cat.

[andrewbkk]

I realize its just easier to talk to my cat.

I talk to my son. He's six. We talk about Terminator and Predator and James Bond and Shrek and Kung <deleted> Panda.

Sometimes -- when we're both feeling a bit intellectual -- we discuss KFC and Pepsi.

Thaivisa is very good. But I find that most people around here are too intelligent for me.

[Samuian]

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

And never have to face an opposing view!

[meom]

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

Try Yaba and you can have a group conversation with yourself.

[MAJIC]

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?

Probably because their English leaves a lot to be desired.

Edited July 2, 2011 by MAJIC

[zydeco]

Some people on this forum sound absolutely miserable with their lives. Read a book. Or buy a rope.

[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?

Probably because their English leaves a lot to be desired.

Or the farangs' Thai language skills leaves a lot to be desired.

[NancyL]

Are you guys living in the same country as me? I love this place! We're in CM and there's rich diversity to the expat community. Like a previous contributor to this thread, Hubby has joined a Rotary Int'l club that conducts business in both English and Thai. That's been a great way to become friends with university-educated Thais, in professional positions, often with international living experience. I study the Thai language, focusing on reading and writing since I have no need to speak at home. My teacher says I'm the best writer she's ever taught, among both Thai and foreign students. Well, I am a published writer (in English) and I could choose to become involved with the expat's English-language writer's club if I had the time.

The internet is a great tool. TV is just a small part of the way we use the internet. Everyday I download MP3s from various U.S. news shows and listen to them while I exercise at the health club. It's a great facility with many foreign members. I've had a few interesting conversations there and overheard more in the locker room.

Hubby likes to go out for a beer in the afternoon and he's found a few bars where he can enjoy conversations with the owner or their clients. He doesn't fall into the trap of staying late and drinking too much

There are several excellent used book stores and a couple of good English-language libraries. Friends keep encouraging us to get a Kindle or Ipad, but we haven't read all the stuff locally available.

[Richb2004v2]

Hubby likes to go out for a beer in the afternoon and he's found a few bars where he can enjoy conversations with the owner or their clients.

When hubby returns he has a lovely glow about him, and seems so relaxed and happy. Nothing can upset him, but he often needs to lay down for a while to recover after so much 'stimulating conversation'.

Only joking. Good for you.

[NancyL]

Hubby likes to go out for a beer in the afternoon and he's found a few bars where he can enjoy conversations with the owner or their clients.

When hubby returns he has a lovely glow about him, and seems so relaxed and happy. Nothing can upset him, but he often needs to lay down for a while to recover after so much 'stimulating conversation'.

Only joking. Good for you.

Oh, so you know him? Yes, often he does take a little nap while I prepare dinner.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

<br />

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

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.<br />

<br /><br /><br />

Another poster recommended Rotary, but other specific recommendations would be appreciated, particularly around Bangkok.

I'm personally interested in starting a "peer coaching self-improvement" group, possibly also a "learning Thai" group to share in the cost of a full-time teacher (10,000 per month?). I'm just south of Saphan Taksin BTS (Sathorn by the river). Also looking for another single father of toddlers to house share, childcare and teaching English available. PM me if anyone's interested.

[blazes]

I agree with those who ended up talking to the cat. I was a professor for forty years (started v young), and I must say I am v happy not to have to talk any longer to the feminists in my own university (or worse, to the Male feminists who were totally pussy-whipped by the female faculty.)

So, now, I am very happy (in Chiang Mai) to wait all day for my sweetheart to come home from work, while I spend an exhausting (retired) life reading books, writing books, watching Arsenal make fools of themselves (again), read the world news on many outlets (mostly BBC, Guardian, Independent and Canadian news) and go to the gym and worry about being so hypochondriac...

When she comes home, we kiss and I ask her how her day has been (mine is always the same), and then we decide whether to make love right there and then or go out for supper. At supper, the only stressful thing to occur is the choice whether to drink Singha or Leo (Heineken being piss), (btw, why does Thailand not import more (different) beers?) (Japanese, Chinese, Indian, above all, Czech....anything for a change).

And our conversation is limited to kindergarten vocabulary, though sometimes more difficult concepts can be put across by pointing to a word in the dictionary (which I carry everywhere). I guess I have found that I like women of few or fewER words.....I love the lack of political correctness (at least of the Western kind) in the Thai female.

I am happier than a pig in

[OlafStapleton]

Sex trumps conversation (of any level)

I happy to give up on conversation!

[Tanaka]

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,

Why on earth did he want to tell you that? Did he want you to share it with him or did he want your opinion on what to do?

[KeyserSoze01]

I agree with those who ended up talking to the cat. I was a professor for forty years (started v young), and I must say I am v happy not to have to talk any longer to the feminists in my own university (or worse, to the Male feminists who were totally pussy-whipped by the female faculty.)

So, now, I am very happy (in Chiang Mai) to wait all day for my sweetheart to come home from work, while I spend an exhausting (retired) life reading books, writing books, watching Arsenal make fools of themselves (again), read the world news on many outlets (mostly BBC, Guardian, Independent and Canadian news) and go to the gym and worry about being so hypochondriac...

When she comes home, we kiss and I ask her how her day has been (mine is always the same), and then we decide whether to make love right there and then or go out for supper. At supper, the only stressful thing to occur is the choice whether to drink Singha or Leo (Heineken being piss), (btw, why does Thailand not import more (different) beers?) (Japanese, Chinese, Indian, above all, Czech....anything for a change).

And our conversation is limited to kindergarten vocabulary, though sometimes more difficult concepts can be put across by pointing to a word in the dictionary (which I carry everywhere). I guess I have found that I like women of few or fewER words.....I love the lack of political correctness (at least of the Western kind) in the Thai female.

I am happier than a pig in

I agree wholeheartedly. After a lifetime of mental gymnastics, we have earned the right to just kick our brains into neutral and coast for a while. My most difficult daily decisions revolve around what I will have for supper and who my companion will be for the evening.

[Nawtier]

Mental Stimulation And Intelligent Conversation is over rated anyway....sex and dirty chat is way better.

That should get you fully fulfilled n all.

[Mossfinn]

Probably because their English leaves a lot to be desired.

Or the farangs' Thai language skills leaves a lot to be desired.

I thought he was referring to the English and their English language abilities

[OlafStapleton]

The internet is a great tool. TV is just a small part of the way we use the internet. Everyday I download MP3s from various U.S. news shows and listen to them while I exercise at the health club. It's a great facility with many foreign members. I've had a few interesting conversations there and overheard more in the locker room.

Subject 'intelligent conversation', what one person find intelligent, other person find dull.

When bore trap you in corner at party good for bore, not good for trap person.

[SAW]

Some people on this forum sound absolutely miserable with their lives. Read a book. Or buy a rope.

A good one for the Bib instead of the usual suicide with no explanation (although highly suspicious) just put it down to "lack of mental stimulation" with the monkey medics pointing in glee.

[Ijustwannateach]

I was extremely lucky to meet several fine groups of friends, including one that is based on Thaivisa. However, any time these groups attempt to expand one finds very questionable characters around, indeed. Most of them now require bona fides including over a year or two of at least one other person knowing them and vouching for them, and even that isn't always enough reassurance (especially when the 'one' person turns out himself to be going crazy or something like that).

So I can agree with both opinions- I certainly can find enough intellectual stimulation here; however, I always feel apprehensive about meeting new foreigners who don't come with a voucher from a reliable friend.

And that's true even if you don't hang out in tourist circles!

[92302]

I can sit and chat with the old skool folk all day long there aren't many of them left and once they're gone they're gone. Much rather that then some &lt;deleted&gt; with a PhD in twatiness whilst watching paint dry.

[WebBangkok]

I have a friend who always follows me around who I have great conversations with.

But the problem is nobody can see him which is weird.

[Nawtier]

I had a wonderful conversation with a uni grad today in Toyota....it went like this...

me...'The air vents have a smell of either burning rubber or cats piss coming from it when the engine is first started and this happens with the air on or off, outside vents open or closed, can you check what it may be and fix it'

'Sure, but you should only operate the aircon with the vent closed otherwise the bad air comes in with it'

'I understand this, but this happens with the air on and vents closed and off with the vents open and natural outside airflow, or with the vents closed and the recirculating air only'

'Yes, you should operate it with vents closed and no more bad smell'

'but we don't use the aircon very often, we prefer windows down and vents open'

'ok but if you wind up the windows and put the aircon on with vent closed it will be fine'

'ok thankyou, but can you fix it'

'fix what'

'the smell'

'close the vents'

'ok, but can you look at what is causing the smell from under the bonnet please'

'all cars when they get old smell like this'

'All cars smell like cats piss in the aircon and outside air vents'

'only old cars sir'

'but this is not an old car, only 2.5 years old and 100,000k's'

'yes sir, 100k's is old sir'

'Just look at it ok'

'ok, what time do you want to pick it up sir'

'12 noon'

'it will not be ready then sir, too much work, how about 3pm sir'

'Why so long ?'

'when would you like to pick it up then sir'

'1pm'

'no sir, our engineers do not get back to work from lunch until 1pm'

'so what time will you have it finished'

'what time would you like to come back sir'

'2pm'

'ok sir 2pm'

.....a phone call an hour later ...'sir, we found rats piss on the aircon filter, would you like a new one?'

[Darrel]

There are no proper ex pats clubs ........

Oh, there are.

They even video the meetings and show extracts on the local Pattaya TV channel.

As a warning, I suspect.

[Nawtier]

But do they have name tags....only real clubs worth their salt have name tags.

I would never join or attend a gathering that did not have name tags.

[OlafStapleton]

But do they have name tags....only real clubs worth their salt have name tags.

I would never join or attend a gathering that did not have name tags.

I would never join club that accept me as member.

[Nawtier]

You are not accepted.

Wanna join that club instead ?

[Darrel]

But do they have name tags....

They do, I think.

These clubs must be a great place to go for anyone who misses being sold life insurance, or double glazing, or (surprise, surprise) houses. Not sure how much mental stimulation there would be there though. Plenty of wallet stimulation.