Just got back from a silly season party where I met many local mates and seasonal associates. As I keep to myself alot, I don't often invest in long and winding discussions. Tonight was an exception.

I spoke to a lot of males this evening (both local and seasonal expats who visit each year for varying lengths of stay) on all manner of topics. A discussion arose about female expats and how we cope with living in a largely male dominated society (here in Thailand).

I asked the guys how they they view us long-term female expats as opposed to their local partners here in LOS and their female compatriots in their homelands. They told me how much they admire us, they said:

"You've got balls. And we don't understand how you do it and why you stay because this is a male domain" !!!

But, they elaborated, "we find that both admirable and scary". They couldn't really explain any further (maybe the beer had something to do with that?) .... although they tried!

The reason I posted this in Ladies, is because I want the opinions of ladies and guys that care to venture into this part of the forum.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A WOMAN TO "HAVE BALLS" & WHY IS IT SO SCARY?

Any comments most welcome.....

I think prob what is meant that it takes a very strong woman to make a go at Thailand by herself. Most definitely I'd consider this a compliment.

Edited December 15, 200520 yr by britmaveric

I think it means the women in question frequently go to jenny star bar.

I think it means the women in question frequently go to jenny star bar.

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I think it means the women in question frequently go to jenny star bar.

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Che? Balls at Jenny's?? Please explain!

Just got back from a silly season party where I met many local mates and seasonal associates. As I keep to myself alot, I don't often invest in long and winding discussions. Tonight was an exception.

I spoke to a lot of males this evening (both local and seasonal expats who visit each year for varying lengths of stay) on all manner of topics. A discussion arose about female expats and how we cope with living in a largely male dominated society (here in Thailand).

I asked the guys how they they view us long-term female expats as opposed to their local partners here in LOS and their female compatriots in their homelands. They told me how much they admire us, they said:

"You've got balls. And we don't understand how you do it and why you stay because this is a male domain" !!!

But, they elaborated, "we find that both admirable and scary". They couldn't really explain any further (maybe the beer had something to do with that?) .... although they tried!

The reason I posted this in Ladies, is because I want the opinions of ladies and guys that care to venture into this part of the forum.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A WOMAN TO "HAVE BALLS" & WHY IS IT SO SCARY?

It's only scary because they are too caught up in perceived gender differences. They don't think a woman can do what you do, so when you do what you do they are impressed. It's like believing a cat can't swim, just because you've always been told they hate water.Any comments most welcome..... 

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Funnily enough, I was thinking about a similar topic recently, after a chat with Khall as it happens. If you don't mind, my own question which kinda relates to this topic.

Do you think the average female expat over here is (or needs to be) a stronger person than the average male expat, and if so why?

I asked the guys how they they view us long-term female expats as opposed to their local partners here in LOS and their female compatriots in their homelands. They told me how much they admire us, they said:

"You've got balls. And we don't understand how you do it and why you stay because this is a male domain" !!!

I reckon they must have been wearing the beer goggles...

Or... they haven't spent a lot of time far from the glam and glitter of Bangkok's expatriate scene...

Maybe a premature judgement... but that's what it seems to me on face value.

Tell me khall... what sort of work environment are you in?

If you can divulge that kind of information without giving too much away...

I asked the guys how they they view us long-term female expats as opposed to their local partners here in LOS and their female compatriots in their homelands. They told me how much they admire us, they said:

"You've got balls. And we don't understand how you do it and why you stay because this is a male domain" !!!

I reckon they must have wearing the beer goggles...

Or... they haven't spent a lot of time far from the glam and glitter of Bangkok's expatriate scene...

Maybe a premature judgement... but that's what it seems to me on face value.

Tell me khall... what sort of work environment are you in?

If you can divulge that kind of information without giving too much away...

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If chattering crabs are any indication....

They think you're courageous to be able to handle the expat thing in a largely male dominated country and they're slightly miffed that you are able to handle it because they think that it's not really a 'woman' thing.

I asked the guys how they they view us long-term female expats as opposed to their local partners here in LOS and their female compatriots in their homelands. They told me how much they admire us, they said:

"You've got balls. And we don't understand how you do it and why you stay because this is a male domain" !!!

I reckon they must have wearing the beer goggles...

Or... they haven't spent a lot of time far from the glam and glitter of Bangkok's expatriate scene...

Maybe a premature judgement... but that's what it seems to me on face value.

Tell me khall... what sort of work environment are you in?

If you can divulge that kind of information without giving too much away...

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If chattering crabs are any indication....

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Shoosh BritM.... the crab doesn't chatter he's a maitre'd.

Jai Dee, I'm a freelance writer/ editor, so I deal with hotel managers through property developers, tsunami support groups, yachties, crabs, turtle activists and emerging fashion designers just for starters..... Stories are all around us but how much are the stories worth and who wants to know? That is the question!!!

OK then... a job is a job isn't it?

So maybe they are saying (in a roundabout sort of way) that they are admiring your sense of devotion to your work... and they are envious because of their attention to local distractions?

Just a thought...

Sorry ... you were seeking feminine input by posting this topic here... I'll bow out now.

I REPEAT:

The reason I posted this in Ladies, is because I want the opinions of ladies and guys that care to venture into this part of the forum.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A WOMAN TO "HAVE BALLS" & WHY IS IT SO SCARY?

Any comments most welcome.....

Do you think the average female expat over here is (or needs to be) a stronger person than the average male expat, and if so why?

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ask Kat ..she is my heroine

Do you think the average female expat over here is (or needs to be) a stronger person than the average male expat, and if so why?

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ask Kat ..she is my heroine

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I'm sure she'll sniff this topic out tomoz, right up her street.

Funnily enough, I was thinking about a similar topic recently, after a chat with Khall as it happens.  If you don't mind, my own question which kinda relates to this topic.

Do you think the average female expat over here is (or needs to be) a stronger person than the average male expat, and if so why?

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Personally, I believe there are no average (?) female expats. We are a class to ourselves - single or partnered. As a single, not-average- female expat here - I believe that we have to remember why we came here in the first place. Life can get confusing in the interim. But we must remember to be true to ourselves!

The best formula I can recommend is to remember what brought us here in the first place and expand on it. Take the good with the confusing, rise above it and use our experience to expand our own realms. If/ when we return to our homelands - take our experiences and apply them to hopefully better the multi-ethnic societies from which we are born.

In the meantime, ladies, let's enjoy our lives wherever we call home... that's my perfect reality. I've always wanted to live and work all over the world and now I'm finally doing it. YAY!!!!!!!!!!

I'm sure she'll sniff this topic out tomoz, right up her street.

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tik tok tik tok

maddy are u ready? ? tomorrow u will be beated by my lovely wonder woman

not Linda Carter 4sure....jeeeezzz im excited ...

/edit typo

Edited December 15, 200520 yr by BambinA

Personally, I believe there are no average  (?) female expats. We are a class to ourselves - single or partnered. As a single, not-average- female expat here - I believe that we have to remember why we came here in the first place. Life can get confusing in the interim. But we must remember to be true to ourselves!

What I mean by average, is just a pick of ten farang women expats and ten men expats, do you think on the whole that the farang woman expat is stronger minded than the expat man? Do you think women need to be stronger out here to live and be happy?

Many people believe its a bit of a mans world out here and as your friends stated by saying 'you got balls' they also think its tougher for a woman to survive and do well in Thailand than men.

maddy are u ready? ? tomorrow u will be beated by my lovely wonder woman

Eh? Beat me for what?

Edited December 15, 200520 yr by bkkmadness

What I mean by average, is just a pick of ten farang women expats and ten men expats, do you think on the whole that the farang woman expat is stronger minded than the expat man?  Do you think women need to be stronger out here to live and be happy?

i'm not a feminist ... and i dont think all women are stronger than guy (even Farang or Thai)

but obviously some women are ..(we have no oedipus plexus)

unluckily..we girls dont have big muscle, not that strong,..it's just limited by physiology and anatomy ... but for brian ..methinks plenty girls can be a winner though

QUOTING BKKMADNESS:

"What I mean by average, is just a pick of ten farang women expats and ten men expats, do you think on the whole that the farang woman expat is stronger minded than the expat man? Do you think women need to be stronger out here to live and be happy?

Many people believe its a bit of a mans world out here and as your friends stated by saying 'you got balls' they also think its tougher for a woman to survive and do well in Thailand than men."

Not by picking ten expat gals and ten expat guys but ............. on the average, I do believe the gals will win hands down. Cos we have the disdvantage: minimal support, lesser salaries, lesser social network and so much more of a negative media representation.

But, I still love it!!!

Edited December 15, 200520 yr by khall64au

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A WOMAN TO "HAVE BALLS" & WHY IS IT SO SCARY?

mean a chick who tuck willy ...

scary??

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A WOMAN TO "HAVE BALLS" & WHY IS IT SO SCARY?

mean a chick who tuck willy ...

scary??

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Bambi, if that's what they mean, then I ain't talkin' to em anymore!!!

But you know what, that's not what they mean... I KNOW that much. These guys are scared cos they can't handle the fact that we are here in the first place. My question is: Why?

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR A WOMAN TO "HAVE BALLS" & WHY IS IT SO SCARY?

mean a chick who tuck willy ...

scary??

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Bambi, if that's what they mean, then I ain't talkin' to em anymore!!!

But you know what, that's not what they mean... I KNOW that much. These guys are scared cos they can't handle the fact that we are here in the first place. My question is: Why?

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Because it puts a little dent in the beliefs that have been instilled into them regarding the appropriate functions of men and women?

I think it takes balls for a Westerner to live in Thailand longer than a year, single or married, male or female. But it's an even gutsier thing to do when it's a single woman. It's also easier for a single woman to live in Thailand this century than in the 90s as the working world is no longer as dominated by males, Thai or farang.

Now I see farang men and women, and Thai women in a wider range of skilled occupations as opposed to the stock standard selection in the 90s: engineers, teachers, airline industry employees, Embassy staff and aid workers.

Not by picking ten expat gals and ten expat guys but ............. on the average, I do believe the gals will win hands down. Cos we have the disdvantage: minimal support, lesser salaries, lesser social network and so much more of a negative media representation.

Do you get lesser salaries out here? Even as a freelance worker?

What's the minimal support thing about, expand please (its 4am!)?

Is there a negative media representation of farang women expats here?

Why the lesser social network as well?

Not by picking ten expat gals and ten expat guys but ............. on the average, I do believe the gals will win hands down. Cos we have the disdvantage: minimal support, lesser salaries, lesser social network and so much more of a negative media representation.

Do you get lesser salaries out here? Even as a freelance worker?

What's the minimal support thing about, expand please (its 4am!)?

Is there a negative media representation of farang women expats here?

Why the lesser social network as well?

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U want a thesis? For a start, freelancers are treated as word factories in this game.... don't wanna go there. Some industries pay "farang" well but, ... for some reason... highly educated writers (with degrees in many fields) are paid very poorly. Don't know why! Things will change very soon though, because standards are changing.... the demographic economy is changing and soon the intellect will shift!!!

But men get paid the same as women right?

Hey, heres an idea, why dont you write for my site?

I can pay you.....

with compliments!

I've got an idea..................... why don't I write for OUR site?????????

Of course I wan't there, but....

I don't think it is "scary". I think perhaps they admire what they perceive as a greater sense of individualism and determination required for a woman expat to succeed in Thailand (or in many other places) and perhaps also stems from a certain arrogance on the part of some guys which leads them to assume that it is somehow easier for us to book a flight, find an apartment and get a job than it is for a "poor defenceless female". After all, girls can't put up toilet seats, so how could they possibly become expats ?

Your'e sacked!!!