Rant - What Is Wrong With The Tent Shop People In Chaweng?

[robsamui]

​I've just come back from the big city tearing hair and spitting teeth (mine - tho only just).

What the xxxxxxx is wrong with these people? The people who have little canvas and tin stalls on Chaweng Beach Road?

It's like they actually want you to go away and buy stuff somewhere else. Like they really enjoy being as rude and unpleasant as they can.

All I want to do is to price up a "bag". It's been 13 years since I needed to fly to a civilised country and I reckon the old army kitbag I came here with won't cut it any more. So I cruise down Chaweng Beach Road stopping everywhere there are bags on show. All I want to do is to get some idea if the thing I like the look of is going to cost me 500 baht or 5,000 baht - minus the haggling. I am going to buy just such a bag. But I am not going to do it right now, thank you. Anyone want lots of money from me?? All you have to do is smile, answer my questions and make me want to come back again.

I HATE LOATH AND DETEST people who speak perfect English and then when you ask the price print it on a giant calculator and wave it in your face. What is wrong with these people? Is it some kind of obscure Asian business principle? Do they get taught this in bag-sales school back home? So the first shop I go in I don't even find out the price of the one I like cos I won't take my eyes off the face of the dusky dude who is waving the calculator at me. I just keep asking him how much. And he keeps shaking the calculator in my face so I have to step backwards in order to keep eye contact. By the time I get out to the pavement he's still not telling me the price. So I step backwards a bit more and into a shop 2 doors down.

This guy at least is talking to me, even when I deliberately say I want to buy but I don't know what there is - can I look? He shrugs and hovers. I point to two and he says one is better. I ask why. (It's got four wheels not two and thus is 1,000 baht more. And it doesn't have the fake SAMSON-something label on it.) I say thanks and move down a bit. At this point I'm thinking he's a miserable git and I'm not coming back here again.

Next shop - I find the same bag/case/armoured-thingie with wheels and expandable zips and then say to the hovering dude - "this I like but I'm not going to buy today - I don't know what there is but I want to have a look, how much?" At which point the ignorant xxxxx just turns his back, walks away and sits down to watch TV. I follow him and ask again - how much is this? His reply? "I tell you when you want to buy." At which point I get a bit talkative and tell him that I won't come back if I don't know how much it is. He shrugs. I then say that he won't get the chance again cos I'm not going to come back - I'm going to come back to the nice man next door because I know how much he wants for his bags. And then the turd leaps up from his stool, all incensed, and follows me out onto the road yelling to my back something about "nice *!XXXX!@#" (I couldn't catch it cos of the honking taxis while I drove away.)

Note: first asking price of a big Samson-something aircraft case was 2,500 baht . . .

Then there's a long gap till i get somewhere after McDonald's and then there's two more bags shops close to each other. Same big bag and the woman pauses waves the calculator at me and we do the "what's suddenly up with your mouth" thing all over again. She finally splutters out 6,000 baht. I just screech out loud and walk out. She follows me bleating lower and lower prices and I turn round and am rude to her. I go into the next one.

What a nice change! A pleasant dusky person - I use this descriptor because not one of them has been Thai - they certainly were not European - and I have to idea what racial characteristics they might possess because I have no idea what race they might be, either severally or individually. I can only assume they are of that particular race that has tent shops on Chaweng Beach Road, and as such my prejudice is now evaporating. I began at the norther end of the street with the prejudiced assumption that such shop/tent keepers would be friendly and keen to make a sale. Now all these pre-judgements have gone, to be replaced with the informed opinion that this particular race of people have been forced to work here unwillingly as some kind of punishment from their (several) governments . . .

And this one smiles and is all chummy - he even holds the smile when I say that I'm just seeing what's on offer because I don't know what I want. When he tells me 5,000 baht I keep a serious face and say that I only want one . . . not two . . . and his grin cracks and he goes apesh*t. He starts shouting about genuine Samson-something (ha ha) and that I can't get this for less than 4,000 baht anywhere. I casually mention the guy selling at 2,500 just up the road and that this was the "first price" and this tips him into berserk mode. He follows me across the road to my motorbike, slavering and spitting with emotion and waving his arms. I have to drive the other way against the one-way traffic to get away from him.

What, what, what is wrong with these people? No wonder shopping in Chaweng has got a bad reputation. It's years since I've taken my own advice and not bought stuff there - and 6 or 7 years ago it wasn't anything like as unpleasant as this - just more pricey! It's like they are all full of thinly veiled repressed rage and they get vastly more pleasure annoying shoppers than they do selling anything. SHEESH!

And no - that last one wan't a real bag - the real ones are going on Amazon for 6,000 baht and up (equivalent).

Time for a trip to Nathon, I think . . . but at least I feel better now . . .

R

Edited May 30, 2012 by Rooo

[Rooo]

Thanks Rob, that made my day.

[zzaa09]

Having a bad day, are we?

[Galong]

That was fun reading.

[onionluke]

I don't mean to be cheeky , but do they have a McD on Ko Samui ?

[CARLIN]

Agree 100% Rob but you really should get out a bit more

It's been exactly like that for years

and I mean years

Oh and I don't do calculators either, just look away and say you have been talking to me since I walked in, why do you need a calculator now?

.

Edited May 30, 2012 by CARLIN

[robsamui]

Thanks Rob, that made my day.

I'm just the universal farang - just add white socks and sandals.

R

[robsamui]

Having a bad day, are we?

Dont be daft!

All gone now. My proctologist prescribed me large doses of TV as outlet therapy and it works.

Due to this my day has become as placid as A Swiss restaurant with no Formula 1.

R

[robsamui]

I don't mean to be cheeky , but do they have a McD on Ko Samui ?

Two, or so I hear. This the original.

http://www.geosamui.com/maps/mc-donalds-map.php

R

[robsamui]

Agree 100% Rob but you really should get out a bit more

It's been exactly like that for years

and I mean years

Oh and I don't do calculators either, just look away and say you have been talking to me since I walked in, why do you need a calculator now?

.

My work takes me frequently to the big city, but as to financial intercourse, I have steered clear of this aspect for half a (unexpected pregnancy) generation.

Give me Thai rude anyday. I can handle Thai rude. Passive-aggressive - bank teller carry on chomping on under-counter food/talking on phone - then serving Thai person who has barged me away from the window. I just sit quietly in the corner on a seat and pee down my shorts-leg on the floor before withdrawing, dignity intact. But these tent-people . . . the word Molotov springs unbidden to mind, for some reason . . .

R

[BangrakBob]

haha that was funny, cheers Rob.

Yes Nathon for sure, I know there are lots of bag shops there but there is one particular shop i've used and the quality, price and service was great and the bag has done some serious service on a weekly basis. If you come on to the beach road from Honda heading north towards Nathon Pier, it's on the second street on turning right and it is the first bag shop on the right, run by a nice Thai family. Not sure if it's the second or first street now...erm it's not the one where there is few small massage parlors down it, it is the next street up.

Edited May 30, 2012 by BangrakBob

[robsamui]

Please can anyone tell me where there is an online smiley I can use for xxxxxxx?

Sometimes xxxxxxx just isn't enough.

Rooo?

R

[robsamui]

haha that was funny, cheers Rob.

Yes Nathon for sure, I know there are lots of bag shops there but there is one particular shop i've used and the quality, price and service was great and the bag has done some serious service on a weekly basis. If you come on to the beach road from Honda heading north towards Nathon Pier, it's on the second street on turning right and it is the first bag shop on the right, run by a nice Thai family. Not sure if it's the second or first street now...erm it's not the one where there is few small massage parlors down it, it is the next street up.

ERM . . . chuckle - what?

Honda, north, pier. Second street turning - hold on, too many Changs happening here . . . Begin outside the Yamaha shop in the Middle Road, as that's where I GLEAN it might be. With my back to the shop I can go left up/down the Middle Road. And then I go . . . .

Do you perchance mean to refer to the "arcade" that's more or less opposite the Government building . . . ? (Buy you a beer if you can direct me . . . )

R

[robsamui]

Having a bad day, are we?

Come on curmon - you just gotta tell me how I can change the title above my aardvark - no, wossit - avatar - to something really good like what you got.

Gwan gwan gwan - tell me tell me!

R

[CARLIN]

Please can anyone tell me where there is an online smiley I can use for xxxxxxx?

Sometimes xxxxxxx just isn't enough.

Rooo?

R

Not sure what your trying to say Rob

but you could try Waitrose

.

.

[Virt]

Funny read but at the same moment a sad read.

As a tourist the tailors on chaweng road gives me the same feeling.

First trip to Samui i shook a tailors hand because i thought it was polite.

Wow was i in for a lesson there

Must admit that i find it a lot more pleasant to shop in for example Nathon.

They are not so aggresive over there imo.

I remember a specific good experience at Nathon where i visited some sort of home improvement shop that sold all kinds of wood,planks,signs etc.

Wanted to buy a sign saying "Watch your head" and give to a barowner in Chaweng cause i always bang my head into his doorframe when i go to the toilet

No signs at the shop saying that, but the kind thailady called her husband and handed me the phone, so i could try and explain to him what i was looking for

and if it was possible to carve a sign like that.

He couldn't make the sign, and i was leaving the shop again after saying goodbye to the thailady, which was still very polite and in a good mood.

If i ever need something i saw in their shop, i will go there and buy it, just cause i got treated well the first time, even when not buying anything.

Thumbs up for the shopkeepers who actually runs a business and treat their customers well, even those not buying anything.

[BangrakBob]

haha that was funny, cheers Rob.

Yes Nathon for sure, I know there are lots of bag shops there but there is one particular shop i've used and the quality, price and service was great and the bag has done some serious service on a weekly basis. If you come on to the beach road from Honda heading north towards Nathon Pier, it's on the second street on turning right and it is the first bag shop on the right, run by a nice Thai family. Not sure if it's the second or first street now...erm it's not the one where there is few small massage parlors down it, it is the next street up.

ERM . . . chuckle - what?

Honda, north, pier. Second street turning - hold on, too many Changs happening here . . . Begin outside the Yamaha shop in the Middle Road, as that's where I GLEAN it might be. With my back to the shop I can go left up/down the Middle Road. And then I go . . . .

Do you perchance mean to refer to the "arcade" that's more or less opposite the Government building . . . ? (Buy you a beer if you can direct me . . . )

R

haha yeah just read that again....ok if you are coming from the north and you hit Nathon town, the government building is on your left and the street becomes one-way and there is a right hand turn available, not there. Keep heading along and it is the first street on your right, follow it down to the beachfront and it is the last bag shop on your left.

[ydraw]

In almost every example, you were the person who was being rude.

[robsamui]

Please can anyone tell me where there is an online smiley I can use for xxxxxxx?

Sometimes xxxxxxx just isn't enough.

Rooo?

R

Not sure what your trying to say Rob

but you could try Waitrose

.

Nah - it's OK.

Every time I wrote xxxxxxxx Rooo edited it to xxxx. That's all!

R(ooo)

Edited May 30, 2012 by Rooo

[Tropicalevo]

Please can anyone tell me where there is an online smiley I can use for xxxxxxx?

Sometimes xxxxxxx just isn't enough.

Rooo?

R

Not sure what your trying to say Rob

but you could try Waitrose

.

Classic photo and well done Rob for the entertainment. But you actually did know better than to shop in Chewang.

[robsamui]

In almost every example, you were the person who was being rude.

I'd just adore an expansion of this.

I go into shop, say I'm only looking and the guy wanders off to watch TV. I ask how much and he says I'll tell you when you're buying. Then verbally abuses me when I tell him the guy next door is able to tell me this.

Another shop and the salesperson won't tell me the price. He has been trained to display this on a calculator and is unable to actually speak about the price.

Another shop and the salesperson states a price that is three times anywhere else, then, rather than discussing this in order to sell his own product, screams at me, follows me out yelling, and wont let me ride away.

Pray, do explain, just, in what aspects of my shopping, was I in any way rude? I am probably the least rude person you, even at your tender age, are ever likely to meet.I was trained at the tit to say please and thank you and open doors in front of Thai people who let them smack back into my face. I nod and bow automatically, even when it is not to my advantage to do so. I will even smile and say "please excuse me" before I hit someone - although I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for this now.

Other than to tell salespersons that there were not doing a very good job? (Without yelling, frothing, slavering, slavering, throwing things about, blocking the salesperson's egress, cursing about his origins, ethnicity, and options in his shopping choices? I call that rude.)

What's your definition?

Please, do tell. Can't wait to hear what you have to say. Though, on reflection, you're never going to find it in you to reply to this.

R

Edited May 30, 2012 by robsamui

[robsamui]

Please can anyone tell me where there is an online smiley I can use for xxxxxxx?

Sometimes xxxxxxx just isn't enough.

Rooo?

R

Not sure what your trying to say Rob

but you could try Waitrose

.

Classic photo and well done Rob for the entertainment. But you actually did know better than to shop in Chewang.

Sigh.

It's been a long time. Things change.

R

[robsamui]

Please can anyone tell me where there is an online smiley I can use for xxxxxxx?

Sometimes xxxxxxx just isn't enough.

Rooo?

R

Not sure what your trying to say Rob

but you could try Waitrose

.

.

They make Spam, no?

Edited May 30, 2012 by robsamui

[robsamui]

Funny read but at the same moment a sad read.

As a tourist the tailors on chaweng road gives me the same feeling.

First trip to Samui i shook a tailors hand because i thought it was polite.

Wow was i in for a lesson there

Must admit that i find it a lot more pleasant to shop in for example Nathon.

They are not so aggresive over there imo.

I remember a specific good experience at Nathon where i visited some sort of home improvement shop that sold all kinds of wood,planks,signs etc.

Wanted to buy a sign saying "Watch your head" and give to a barowner in Chaweng cause i always bang my head into his doorframe when i go to the toilet

No signs at the shop saying that, but the kind thailady called her husband and handed me the phone, so i could try and explain to him what i was looking for

and if it was possible to carve a sign like that.

He couldn't make the sign, and i was leaving the shop again after saying goodbye to the thailady, which was still very polite and in a good mood.

If i ever need something i saw in their shop, i will go there and buy it, just cause i got treated well the first time, even when not buying anything.

Thumbs up for the shopkeepers who actually runs a business and treat their customers well, even those not buying anything.

Hi Virt.

Yes, I think that the stallholders in Chaweng have become infected. Unless you are an obvious accountant and tourist just stepping out of a taxi, they have no interest. These guys are not stupid, even tho they are aggressive. They can read a customer instantly. I'm wearing black trousers, white shirt, have a laptop bag and holding car keys. Not interested to the point of aggressive rudeness.

Nathon is more pleasant in all respects!

R

[BigC]

Sometimes allot of these people are not Thai which annoys me more because they give it the large more than the Thai people.

I have been kicked out of stalls in all of Thailand for asking too many questions it is fustrating.

I miean the object of being a customer is to enquire about the product before buying it. specially as there is no set price just up to the shop keeper.

i was in lamden market trying to buy some gear. The man talked me into buying the stuff and before i had a chance to answer talked me not into buying it then before i even opened my mouth he kicked me out the shoo and told me he is not selling to me. i burst out laughing. what a tw=w=T

I said how much for the shirt and the toruser.

400 baht for shirt 400 for trousers. you want shirt or trousers?

You want shirt and trousers?

800 baht you give me 800 baht?

You want or not ?

Ok now i not sell you go ?

lol funny thing is the shop next foor sold everything the same for 200 baht each. i dunno.

[beachyman]

In almost every example, you were the person who was being rude.

I'd just adore an expansion of this.

I go into shop, say I'm only looking and the guy wanders off to watch TV. I ask how much and he says I'll tell you when you're buying. Then verbally abuses me when I tell him the guy next door is able to tell me this.

Another shop and the salesperson won't tell me the price. He has been trained to display this on a calculator and is unable to actually speak about the price.

Another shop and the salesperson states a price that is three times anywhere else, then, rather than discussing this in order to sell his own product, screams at me, follows me out yelling, and wont let me ride away.

Pray, do explain, just, in what aspects of my shopping, was I in any way rude? I am probably the least rude person you, even at your tender age, are ever likely to meet.I was trained at the tit to say please and thank you and open doors in front of Thai people who let them smack back into my face. I nod and bow automatically, even when it is not to my advantage to do so. I will even smile and say "please excuse me" before I hit someone - although I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for this now.

Other than to tell salespersons that there were not doing a very good job? (Without yelling, frothing, slavering, slavering, throwing things about, blocking the salesperson's egress, cursing about his origins, ethnicity, and options in his shopping choices? I call that rude.)

What's your definition?

Please, do tell. Can't wait to hear what you have to say. Though, on reflection, you're never going to find it in you to reply to this.

R

Why are you getting your panties in a twist about this? Yes, he is right. You are, and remain, the rude one.

He wrote the price on a calculator but since your a princess you needed him to say it to you. Dude, he deals with people who don't speak english as a primary language every day. The calculator doesn't lie so there is no arguments afterward about "you said 100" not "1000".

Afterward you get pissed because you specifically tell a guy who obviously does not own the shop that you won't buy anything but come here are negotiate with me anyways. Yeah, that sounds like fun.

In the last example you get mad because some girl high balls you on the price that you have been dying to get. Genius, that's parts of negotiation.

Stop ranting and start analyzing, because your angry, childish tantrums have nothing to do with "tent" people and more to do with your inability to "get respect" or whatever nonsense you think you deserve from decent strangers.

[robsamui]

haha that was funny, cheers Rob.

Yes Nathon for sure, I know there are lots of bag shops there but there is one particular shop i've used and the quality, price and service was great and the bag has done some serious service on a weekly basis. If you come on to the beach road from Honda heading north towards Nathon Pier, it's on the second street on turning right and it is the first bag shop on the right, run by a nice Thai family. Not sure if it's the second or first street now...erm it's not the one where there is few small massage parlors down it, it is the next street up.

ERM . . . chuckle - what?

Honda, north, pier. Second street turning - hold on, too many Changs happening here . . . Begin outside the Yamaha shop in the Middle Road, as that's where I GLEAN it might be. With my back to the shop I can go left up/down the Middle Road. And then I go . . . .

Do you perchance mean to refer to the "arcade" that's more or less opposite the Government building . . . ? (Buy you a beer if you can direct me . . . )

R

haha yeah just read that again....ok if you are coming from the north and you hit Nathon town, the government building is on your left and the street becomes one-way and there is a right hand turn available, not there. Keep heading along and it is the first street on your right, follow it down to the beachfront and it is the last bag shop on your left.

Bob - just got to have a beer with you one day (but it seems you'll be buying.) You give directions like a girl.

Not possible to follow what you say - will walk around and find a nice-person bag shop!

Ta anyway!

R

[BigC]

In almost every example, you were the person who was being rude.

I'd just adore an expansion of this.

I go into shop, say I'm only looking and the guy wanders off to watch TV. I ask how much and he says I'll tell you when you're buying. Then verbally abuses me when I tell him the guy next door is able to tell me this.

Another shop and the salesperson won't tell me the price. He has been trained to display this on a calculator and is unable to actually speak about the price.

Another shop and the salesperson states a price that is three times anywhere else, then, rather than discussing this in order to sell his own product, screams at me, follows me out yelling, and wont let me ride away.

Pray, do explain, just, in what aspects of my shopping, was I in any way rude? I am probably the least rude person you, even at your tender age, are ever likely to meet.I was trained at the tit to say please and thank you and open doors in front of Thai people who let them smack back into my face. I nod and bow automatically, even when it is not to my advantage to do so. I will even smile and say "please excuse me" before I hit someone - although I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for this now.

Other than to tell salespersons that there were not doing a very good job? (Without yelling, frothing, slavering, slavering, throwing things about, blocking the salesperson's egress, cursing about his origins, ethnicity, and options in his shopping choices? I call that rude.)

What's your definition?

Please, do tell. Can't wait to hear what you have to say. Though, on reflection, you're never going to find it in you to reply to this.

R

Why are you getting your panties in a twist about this? Yes, he is right. You are, and remain, the rude one.

He wrote the price on a calculator but since your a princess you needed him to say it to you. Dude, he deals with people who don't speak english as a primary language every day. The calculator doesn't lie so there is no arguments afterward about "you said 100" not "1000".

Afterward you get pissed because you specifically tell a guy who obviously does not own the shop that you won't buy anything but come here are negotiate with me anyways. Yeah, that sounds like fun.

In the last example you get mad because some girl high balls you on the price that you have been dying to get. Genius, that's parts of negotiation.

Stop ranting and start analyzing, because your angry, childish tantrums have nothing to do with "tent" people and more to do with your inability to "get respect" or whatever nonsense you think you deserve from decent strangers.

you sound like the perfect mug that these shop owners are looking for. people like you keep these rude <deleted> in business.

this is how they work. they do not like sensible forangs. they like buffalow forangs that just give them money and judging by the amount of rude market shops sellers and the fact they are still in business there clients must be based on one born every minute hence there is one on here. lol.

don'tget your nickers in a twist. it could cost you an arm and a leg tobuy a new pair

[robsamui]

In almost every example, you were the person who was being rude.

I'd just adore an expansion of this.

I go into shop, say I'm only looking and the guy wanders off to watch TV. I ask how much and he says I'll tell you when you're buying. Then verbally abuses me when I tell him the guy next door is able to tell me this.

Another shop and the salesperson won't tell me the price. He has been trained to display this on a calculator and is unable to actually speak about the price.

Another shop and the salesperson states a price that is three times anywhere else, then, rather than discussing this in order to sell his own product, screams at me, follows me out yelling, and wont let me ride away.

Pray, do explain, just, in what aspects of my shopping, was I in any way rude? I am probably the least rude person you, even at your tender age, are ever likely to meet.I was trained at the tit to say please and thank you and open doors in front of Thai people who let them smack back into my face. I nod and bow automatically, even when it is not to my advantage to do so. I will even smile and say "please excuse me" before I hit someone - although I'm getting a bit long in the tooth for this now.

Other than to tell salespersons that there were not doing a very good job? (Without yelling, frothing, slavering, slavering, throwing things about, blocking the salesperson's egress, cursing about his origins, ethnicity, and options in his shopping choices? I call that rude.)

What's your definition?

Please, do tell. Can't wait to hear what you have to say. Though, on reflection, you're never going to find it in you to reply to this.

R

Why are you getting your panties in a twist about this? Yes, he is right. You are, and remain, the rude one.

He wrote the price on a calculator but since your a princess you needed him to say it to you. Dude, he deals with people who don't speak english as a primary language every day. DUDE - he speaks with people everyday who's only common language IS English. If we have been chatting in English for 3 or 4 minutes first - why the calculator? The calculator doesn't lie so there is no arguments afterward about "you said 100" not "1000". Utter <deleted>.

Afterward you get pissed because you specifically tell a guy who obviously does not own the shop that you won't buy anything but come here are negotiate with me anyways. Yeah, that sounds like fun.

In the last example you get mad because some girl high balls you on the price that you have been dying to get. Come again? 2,500 is first price up the road. Means that the bottom line is 1,500 - 1,900 baht. How trained do you need to be to NOT start at 600% profit? Genius, that's parts of negotiation. In this case a very bad part of it.

Stop ranting and start analyzing, because your angry, childish tantrums have nothing to do with "tent" people and more to do with your inability to "get respect" or whatever nonsense you think you deserve from decent strangers.

Excuse me - when did I rant? Did I have a tantrum? All I did was laugh when someone offered me a 1,500 baht bag for 6,000 baht. Wasn't me that ran round on the road yelling and frothing!

[robsamui]

Hey - Beachyman and Ydraw is the same guy! Check the profiles!

That's why they share the same bad grammar and spelling mistakes. And points of view.

R