Why The Hate

[thehelmsman]

TigerWan -

I'll have to ask around some more when I get back to Thailand about the word Farang. I was just stating my experiences with the people where I stay. I've never had anyone directly call to me saying "Farang" If it is a derogatory term ? What's to be done.

[F1fanatic]

It's vicious circle, hard to not hate back when one is hated as a matter of nationalism.

When I first moved here, long- timers told me to not trust Thais, etc etc etc , I thought they were just racist or cynics, but after about well,... it took about 4 months of getting screwed over and the Thais constant inability to tell the truth for me to change my opinion of Thai as the " Oh, so polite and charming.." to my current opinion, which is a 180 degree deflection and far too strong to post here.

The forums are full of sexually obsessed men whining about predatory, whoring Thai women, somehow these traits are charming in the Asian female but hated in the western women.

Whole different set of standards in play when the constant and overwhelming male need for genitalia stimulation is involved. Lying is cute, conceit charming, subterfuge suddenly a prized element.

Maybe I can understand the beginning of why Thais have no respect when so many of the worst examples of western masculinity are desperate to reside here.

Shouldn't you really be asking "why do the Thai's dislike farangs" so much, farang pricing, farang are second class people, etc. etc. etc.?

I myself find this in about 20 -25% of Thais

This term really shows the depth of the racism against Caucasians here, perfectly acceptable to call people by the colour of their skin, in their presence even. " Farang "

When they do it to me I've started referring to them with a slang term right back - first they giggle , then do the blank- eyed- blink thing. A few actually comprehend my point, but most are utterly incapable of regarding me as an equal human, and not just " Whitey ATM "

Like you, I was warned by my brother that had lived here several years - but I just thought he was being a touch paranoid.

Unlike you, it took me at least a year to realise he was right!

[canuckamuck]

There are different faces of racism. If it is racism based solely on ignorance it can be without malice. If it comes from someone who should know better it is malicious.

Ignorance in Thailand is endemic and the use of the word farang is a classic example, but it is usually not meant to be insulting.

[F1fanatic]

TigerWan -

I'll have to ask around some more when I get back to Thailand about the word Farang. I was just stating my experiences with the people where I stay. I've never had anyone directly call to me saying "Farang" If it is a derogatory term ? What's to be done.

Absolutely nothing.

We are guests here in their country and have to learn to adapt.

[F1fanatic]

Do you refer to black men by a slang term in their presence? In your own country ,

It is not racist. We are not in our own country and the language, customs and proper manners are different here.

Exactly. 'Farang' is not exactly a positive term, and would be downright rude back in our own countries (i.e. foreigner), rather than that 'gentleman/lady'.

But things are v different here and we either learn to live with it or move elsewhere.

[473geo]

I shouldn't worry too much, the Thai are being slowly twisted into the western PC model

Only a matter of time before they are afraid to speak without consulting the PC guide for fear of offending one party or another

Only a matter of time before they walk past everybody looking at the ground beneath them for fear of raising aggression by making eye contact

Only a matter of time before they sit watching TV and play computer games in their homes and don't bother to socialise with neighbours

Only a matter of time before they become introverted and dull and the playful laughter and innocent joking disappears

and then it will not be Thailand as we have known it........enjoy what you have while it lasts

[DocN]

You know, what I really "hate"?

a) the kind of people who tell me, that if do not find each and everything in Thailand simply "amazing" (and state it so), I should just " go home"! Being German, I remember a tim in the 70's and 80's, when a similar thing was going on in my country. Whenever you stated some criticism on the Federal Republic of German, they toldyou "If you don't like it here, why don' you go over there?" "over there" being the German Democratic Republic, the socialist east!

people who tell me that I am overweight (I am), living in a tourist ghetto (I do: Bangkok, 5 mins walking from Patpong) and also otherwise a pathetic looser, who couldn't make "it" in his own country ("it" meaning girls, money etc) and I am now dating bar girls (have done so) who rip me off (maybe)...and THEREFOR are bitter and angry and that is why I hate Thailand.

Fact is: I was 40, when I got here. That means, I was born, brought up and educated in a western society. One that teaches you questioning, problems solution finding, political thinking...you name it.

My education and believes foot on the "fact" that all people are equal, I am being nice to everyone and I have good manners.

But that also means, that I will not "turn Thai", the moment I get here.

Of course I try to fit in, but I find it difficult.

And I am critizising, because I see things that are "wrong" or "questionable"...in my "western eyes"!

It has nothing to do with hate.

AT ALL!

[F1fanatic]

You know, what I really "hate"?

a) the kind of people who tell me, that if do not find each and everything in Thailand simply "amazing" (and state it so), I should just " go home"! Being German, I remember a tim in the 70's and 80's, when a similar thing was going on in my country. Whenever you stated some criticism on the Federal Republic of German, they toldyou "If you don't like it here, why don' you go over there?" "over there" being the German Democratic Republic, the socialist east!

people who tell me that I am overweight (I am), living in a tourist ghetto (I do: Bangkok, 5 mins walking from Patpong) and also otherwise a pathetic looser, who couldn't make "it" in his own country ("it" meaning girls, money etc) and I am now dating bar girls (have done so) who rip me off (maybe)...and THEREFOR are bitter and angry and that is why I hate Thailand.

Fact is: I was 40, when I got here. That means, I was born, brought up and educated in a western society. One that teaches you questioning, problems solution finding, political thinking...you name it.

My education and believes foot on the "fact" that all people are equal, I am being nice to everyone and I have good manners.

But that also means, that I will not "turn Thai", the moment I get here.

Of course I try to fit in, but I find it difficult.

And I am critizising, because I see things that are "wrong" or "questionable"...in my "western eyes"!

It has nothing to do with hate.

AT ALL!

Best to forget about 'fitting in' - it is extremely unlikely you will do so. Far better to accept the way things are here and enjoy the positives.

[ludditeman]

some are extremly close friends very close, they do use my name, but will often say farang as its easier for them, no big deal.

These people are not your friends.

[kerryk]

It is interesting to note on the first day of the year that 50% of the topics in the General Forum are critical of Thais and or Thailand.

Jomtien Bht Bus Rudeness

Please Tell Me Karma Exists

Thai Neignbors; Fireworks

Are Thais Unfit?

New Central Plaza Rama 9

Happy New Year?

In Memory Of The Rohingya. 3 Years Ago.

High School Fees At Government School

New Years Eve At Imperial Queens Park Hotel, Soi 22

[Ulysses G.]

Best to forget about 'fitting in' - it is extremely unlikely you will do so. Far better to accept the way things are here and enjoy the positives.

Exactly.

[TigerWan]

TigerWan -

I'll have to ask around some more when I get back to Thailand about the word Farang. I was just stating my experiences with the people where I stay. I've never had anyone directly call to me saying "Farang" If it is a derogatory term ? What's to be done.

Absolutely nothing.

We are guests here in their country and have to learn to adapt.

I cannot agree we are guests.I don't ask guests in my home to pay taxes. Sorry, I have to resist second class treatment , wherever encountered and it's rampant and I deal with it intensely, every single day. As a woman though, I'm certainly used to it.

A lot of the posters here are somewhat insulated as they have..., er personal assistant partners to do the grunt work. I wonder how they'd cope if they were out in it unassisted.

[kerryk]

TigerWan -

I'll have to ask around some more when I get back to Thailand about the word Farang. I was just stating my experiences with the people where I stay. I've never had anyone directly call to me saying "Farang" If it is a derogatory term ? What's to be done.

Absolutely nothing.

We are guests here in their country and have to learn to adapt.

I cannot agree we are guests.I don't ask guests in my home to pay taxes. Sorry, I have to resist second class treatment , wherever encountered and it's rampant and I deal with it intensely, every single day. As a woman though, I'm certainly used to it.

A lot of the posters here are somewhat insulated as they have..., er personal assistant partners to do the grunt work. I wonder how they'd cope if they were out in it unassisted.

That’s an interesting point. Living by myself is much easier than with a woman. Most of the work I do is for the lady. I just made dinner. Crab salad, Chicken with vegetables and fried rice and sliced fresh fruit with sauce for dessert. Alone I would have had a sandwich. Living alone I don’t iron much. Living alone I wash all my clothes in a machine and not some by hand. I don’t fold my underwear or socks. Sex for the single man in Thailand is convenient quick and reasonable. Shopping for me alone is simple and not a time consuming adventure. I could go on. My lady has a job in the day time and does not wait on me.

[StreetCowboy]

Best to forget about 'fitting in' - it is extremely unlikely you will do so. Far better to accept the way things are here and enjoy the positives.

Exactly.

I've never found it difficult to fit in, wherever I have been. I am the strange foreigner who does things differently, and doesn't understand the local customs and practices. We all have a role to fill, and if we are happy in that role, life is a lot easier than if we try to take someone else's role, or invent a role for ourselves.

I had a few television techinicians round the other day; their English was very limited, and so long as I refrained from trying to speak their language, we had few communication problems. When I spoke their language, they were completely unable even to identify what language I was speaking, since that was not my role.

SC

[thehelmsman]

Best to forget about 'fitting in' - it is extremely unlikely you will do so. Far better to accept the way things are here and enjoy the positives.

Exactly.

I've never found it difficult to fit in, wherever I have been. I am the strange foreigner who does things differently, and doesn't understand the local customs and practices. We all have a role to fill, and if we are happy in that role, life is a lot easier than if we try to take someone else's role, or invent a role for ourselves.

I had a few television techinicians round the other day; their English was very limited, and so long as I refrained from trying to speak their language, we had few communication problems. When I spoke their language, they were completely unable even to identify what language I was speaking, since that was not my role.

SC

Your wisdom is truely inspiring. In trying to please everyone we've created a society where we can't even say "Merry Christmas" without offending someone. Kids aren't allowed to say pledge of allegience at school because saying God offends. There's 12+ million illegals in America because we certainly don't want to profile because that would be offensive. And the list goes on and on. To many the adult nightlife in Thailand is offensive. Let's take away the poles from the beer-bars and do away with the go-go bars.

In Japan, foreigners aren't allowed into many bars and restaurants because they're not "Members". When my job takes me there I don't go out much because I don't like being treated like that and I would certainly would not consider living there.

So, if the word Farang infuriates some, so be it.

Now ring the bell once for me and have a Happy New Year.....................................

[Kilgore Trout]

Do you refer to black men by a slang term in their presence? In your own country ,

It is not racist. We are not in our own country and the language, customs and proper manners are different here.

I guarantee that if I spoke (in English) the way Thais do about people''s skin color or ethnicity, every westerner around would think I'm a monster.

What gets me is that when I tell some westerners what the Thais are saying; they either don't believe it or justify it somehow.

As much as I love Thailand; there is no denying that Thais are, for the most part, xenephobic and racist.

[ludditeman]

I was in the garden last night lighting a Khomloy with my family (3 Thais).

Neighbor sees and shouts to his friend "Farang ploy khom" (whitey is releasing a floating lantern)

Any decent person, if feeling a need to comment, would have said "the neighbors are releasing a khomloy"

[sbk]

11 pages of general negativity and nastiness. I think its time to start the New Year with a new attitude, so in that light lets do try to follow the forum rules and refrain from making derogatory racist generlizations about all Thais.

//CLOSED//