What Traditions As Ex Pats Do You Bring To Your Host Country?

[theblether]

See, told you the English were good at moaning

I take it then, you've never met a Scot in London.....?

BTW Halloween was a Roman concept (Pormona/Pomona) introduced when they came to keep out the Scots (but failed in spite of that bloody great wall)...which was probably then nicked by the Druids firstly then passed on to the Celts

You live and learn with Thai Visa...

'The sky is blue, the grass is green,

May I get my pormona pormona?'

Nope......not getting it.

And another thing!! You would moan too if you went down to London to visit the superb sights and our wonderful English cousins, just to find that all the English have deserted the place.

False advertising I call it.

Edited June 9, 2012 by theblether

[kerryk]

Go Go bars

[DP25]

Christmas and Halloween can be a good party in Thailand so I'll celebrate those two somewhat. Other ones like Easter and Thanksgiving are completely off the radar here and I don't usually even notice they've happened.

[aneliane]

Whilst I am not an expat I'm pretty sure in my mind that some of Thailands expats were responsible for bringing the disgusting habit IMO of wearing flip flops and white socks half way up to their knees.

Sent from my GT-N7000 using Thaivisa Connect App

Thats so gross!

nothing gross, it comes from Japan

http://purplume.file...<!--NoParse3-->

My sister in law is Japanese and this is acceptable.

flip flops and socks are not a la vogue!

a la mode !! not a la vogue !!

tell us how much you know about mode

[tinfoilhat]

I despise almost everything about the UK.

The blatant greed and materialism of it's holidays like Christmas, Easter, Mothers day, Fathers day.

And it's overly moralistic and judgmental capitalist society.

All people in the UK care about is themselves, how much their house is worth and how many holidays a year they can have.

Thatcher's Britain, the country of ME ME ME.

I've dumped the lot.

See, told you the English were good at moaning

yes, and world renowned for their manners

[edwinclapham]

Aneliane Thank you for your non contribution, as usual delivered by your never ending cynical self!

[xthAi76s]

I bring to Thailand the tradition of using my brain.

[DowntownAl]

Courtesy.

[Zatoichi]

I'm American so we do 4th of July BBQs and Thanksgiving Dinner with the turkey. Some of our family on my Wife's (Thai) side have already been to the States and are accustom to many of these holidays. The one I will miss the most when my daughter gets older is Halloween . Who dosn't like free candy and spooky dress up ?

I HATE Halloween with a passion - although I think the States does it better than Britain.

It is another tradition that Britain has lost control/sight of.

In the UK it has become the equivalent of demanding money with menaces.

Gangs of teenagers will harangue local residents (often pensioners) with demands for money/gifts under the guise of "trick or treat". All manner of retribution follows if you don't send them away with arms full of goodies.

Bah Humbug to Halloween !

I don't know what kinda place you live in but in Philadelphia and the surrounding area where I grew up at. It's Kids, in costume, with their parents, asking for candy. And it's cute, and fun to enjoy as a child and later as a parent with your kids. Must be a British thing.

[BigJohnnyBKK]

I don't know what kinda place you live in but in Philadelphia and the surrounding area where I grew up at. It's Kids, in costume, with their parents, asking for candy. And it's cute, and fun to enjoy as a child and later as a parent with your kids. Must be a British thing.

Althought it's ancient roots are international, the modern "trick or treat" phenomenon is strictly North American.

This has, like much Yank commercial-fueled consumerist so-called "culture", been exported via media imperialism, and is therefore is often much resented by the local traditionalists - relevant link. The fact that there is an Irish/Catholic vs Protestant connection to the historical revisionism of the original tradition may also be relevant?

Especially in places where its relatively innocent spirit has become corrupted into some sort of protection racket - although this also used to happen in the US suburbs when I was a kid, not just TPing and shaving cream property damage done.

Edited June 11, 2012 by BigJohnnyBKK

[Soutpeel]

Althought it's ancient roots are international, the modern "trick or treat" phenomenon is strictly North American.

Pretty much like Christmas celebrations...after all who put Father Christmas (Santa Claus) on a Coke can ?

Xmas was strictly a European (German) thing...the Xmas tree tradition in the UK came via Prince Albert/ Queen Victoria as I understand it

[edwinclapham]

As Google has it...

From about the 1500s or the 1600s, Christmas trees were being used in the Rhineland in Germany.

There is some dispute as to whether the tradition started in Germany (in the 1500s, or possibly the 1600s) or earlier in Latvia and Estonia. The German claim is thought to have more credibility.

In about 1815, after attempting to stamp out the practice and failing, the Roman Catholic church adopted Yuletide trees as their own, and used them as part of the Christian tradition, with the growth of the fir tree symbolising the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

When the Hannovers became the English Royal family, the practice spread to the United Kingdom.

Read more:

http://wiki.answers....d#ixzz1xSKAINne

The Christmas tree was introduced separately in different US cities by German immigrants, most likely in the mid 1700's. Several US cities claim to have had the first Christmas tree in America. Bethlehem, PA appears to have had the first decorated Christmas tree in 1747 at the German Moravian Church settlement, however it was made by putting evergreen branches on a wooden pyramid! Windsor Locks, CT claims they have earliest date in 1777, while Easton, PA also claims the first Christmas tree in 1816! Since these first real Christmas trees, there have been many changes leading to

today's modern Christmas tree!

Edited June 11, 2012 by edwinclapham

[smokie36]

Shall we have some haggis?

No way! Let's have a tagine and baba ganoush.

I am not a traditionalist. Saying that I retain the ability to mock the afflicted...

[edwinclapham]

Shall we have some haggis?

No way! Let's have a tagine and baba ganoush.

I am not a traditionalist. Saying that I retain the ability to mock the afflicted...

Morning Smokie!

[David48]

Why all the angst?

Mind you ... I do agree with theblether and many others here about the commercialisation of what are really 'Peoples' days'.

First real celebration was Easter 2 years again ... my entire carry-on luggage was Easter Eggs.

Would have loved to have done an Easter Egg hunt around the Farm ... but not in 40C Songkran heat.

The Kids liked it .. but all they saw was Chocolate.

Christmas was a different story though ... absoloutly Brilliant, but another story.

Yeh, Yeh ... I know it's uncool to say that you enjoy playing the kids etc ... I get a real kick out the genuine enjoyment they feel.

[theblether]

You know already David that you can get the best laughs of your life from kids. I was at a wedding on Saturday and my wee niece guessed my mothers age at 83. My 67 year old mother wasn't impressed, my niece compounded it by saying that if she wore make up she would look younger. ROFL.

Painting the egg at easter, hunting the egg, rolling the egg, all great fun, I remember many a day doing that with my parents and then with my kids. Unforgettable for me and hopefully unforgettable for them too.

[edwinclapham]

Why all the angst?

Mind you ... I do agree with theblether and many others here about the commercialisation of what are really 'Peoples' days'.

First real celebration was Easter 2 years again ... my entire carry-on luggage was Easter Eggs.

Would have loved to have done an Easter Egg hunt around the Farm ... but not in 40C Songkran heat.

The Kids liked it .. but all they saw was Chocolate.

Christmas was a different story though ... absoloutly Brilliant, but another story.

Yeh, Yeh ... I know it's uncool to say that you enjoy playing the kids etc ... I get a real kick out the genuine enjoyment they feel.

I have never veered towards the commercialism aspect of any feast, but more the togetherness as a group of family and friends. We dont mix with the masses on these massive shopping sprees but would rather spend time in the work shop with the sounds on, making that special something for that special someone.

We had our Easter hunts amidst air conditioning as it was too hot this year, equally good fun with eggs we made ourselves, minus the packing and horrendous commericial charges.

I fully respect people who disregard the western festivities, its a matter of choice but as kids we had such a wonderful time, why not pass this down to our next generation and we have yet to be disappointed.

[edwinclapham]

You know already David that you can get the best laughs of your life from kids. I was at a wedding on Saturday and my wee niece guessed my mothers age at 83. My 67 year old mother wasn't impressed, my niece compounded it by saying that if she wore make up she would look younger. ROFL.

Painting the egg at easter, hunting the egg, rolling the egg, all great fun, I remember many a day doing that with my parents and then with my kids. Unforgettable for me and hopefully unforgettable for them too.

And unforgettable for me, and mind blowing for me seeing my lad's faces and hearing their chuckles.. absolutely pricelsss!

[tutsiwarrior]

in Bolivia in 1966 I had already forgotten about the Easter holiday and then the GF said: 'we haveta been seen together at church for Midnight Mass so please prepare...'...me: 'whaaa?'...and then she said: 'it's Easter, you fool so get ready for our display in public...'

and then later after I left the US I forgot about the holiday altogether and the only reminder were the chocolate eggs in the supermarket...'hmmm...it must be Easter...'

when I was a kid at Easter I hadta put on a suit for photographs and then me Bolivian mum's folks would come over and argue about money and I would stay in my room and then they would say: 'see that??!! it's Easter and your children have no repect!' whadda bunch of &lt;deleted&gt;...me dad always sneaked out and got drunk and then he would argue later with me mum and then things became really unpleasant...except fer the extra days off school I never remember Easter as a pleasant time...and when I wanted to go surfin' me mum said that the activity would be disrespectful to 'el Senor'...jezuz...

[edwinclapham]

in Bolivia in 1966 I had already forgotten about the Easter holiday and then the GF said: 'we haveta been seen together at church for Midnight Mass so please prepare...'...me: 'whaaa?'...and then she said: 'it's Easter, you fool so get ready for our display in public...'

and then later after I left the US I forgot about the holiday altogether and the only reminder were the chocolate eggs in the supermarket...'hmmm...it must be Easter...'

when I was a kid at Easter I hadta put on a suit for photographs and then me Bolivian mum's folks would come over and argue about money and I would stay in my room and then they would say: 'see that??!! it's Easter and your children have no repect!' whadda bunch of &lt;deleted&gt;...me dad always sneaked out and got drunk and then he would argue later with me mum and then things became really unpleasant...except fer the extra days off school I never remember Easter as a pleasant time...and when I wanted to go surfin' me mum said that the activity would be disrespectful to 'el Senor'...jezuz...

I do believe also that on feasts like Christmas for example, a high proportion of murders are committed .. Alcohol fueled/ monetary pressures etc. The homeless are not to be forgotten, the old and the lonely... yep they can be very strange times indeed.

[nietzche]

The only grand holiday tradition that I bring from the old country is going out for Chinese food on Christmas Eve and day.

Next ...

Was that joke stolen from Elena Kagan who used it during her interview with congress back in 2009 while being considered as a potential Supreme Court Justice? See below:

Sen. Lindsey Graham asked Kagan, in relation to a question about the Christmas Day Bomber, “where were you on Christmas day?” Responded Kagan, to a deserved round of applause: “You know, like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant.”

[tutsiwarrior]

The only grand holiday tradition that I bring from the old country is going out for Chinese food on Christmas Eve and day.

Next ...

Was that joke stolen from Elena Kagan who used it during her interview with congress back in 2009 while being considered as a potential Supreme Court Justice? See below:

Sen. Lindsey Graham asked Kagan, in relation to a question about the Christmas Day Bomber, “where were you on Christmas day?” Responded Kagan, to a deserved round of applause: “You know, like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant.”

I once declined Christmas dinner at me mum's house and said that if any of her stupid family were to attend then I would not...ended up alone in a chinese restaurant....the restaurant staff had their meal together after all the other customers had left and they gave me a free bowl of lychees in the spirit of the holiday...

[xthAi76s]

I bring the tradition of actual politeness, rather than the fake smiles and fake politeness so popular here in Thailand.

[thequietman]

i am very traditional as regards xmas and we celebrate it every year at home here in Thailand.. Turkey, stuffing, the lot. As I come from the old sod, I bring my love of drinking and socialising to my host country. The thais are good drinkers but they dont seem to hold their drink very well. The drunker I get, the happier I get. Its the opposite with thai guys.

Reminds me of the time I celebrated xmas with my wife in Chaingmai. We had xmas lunch there and then a few pints. A really loud American guy bet me I couldnt drink 10 pints of the blackstuff in one go, one after the other. he said if I could he would give me 3,000 baht and pay for the drinks.

Everyone in the bar was egging me on, so I left.

However I came back in about an hour and asked the yank if the bet was still on. He said yes.

I sat down with 10 pints in front of me and drank the lot. I couldn't believe it.

As the american was handing over the 3000 baht and paying the bill, he asked me where I had gone for the hour.

I told him that I had just popped down to another bar 3 doors down to see if I could do it.

[Jingthing]

The only grand holiday tradition that I bring from the old country is going out for Chinese food on Christmas Eve and day.

Next ...

Was that joke stolen from Elena Kagan who used it during her interview with congress back in 2009 while being considered as a potential Supreme Court Justice? See below:

Sen. Lindsey Graham asked Kagan, in relation to a question about the Christmas Day Bomber, “where were you on Christmas day?” Responded Kagan, to a deserved round of applause: “You know, like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant.”

Not a joke. Not stolen. It's an authentic tradition. Duh!

Edited June 11, 2012 by Jingthing

[DavidSL]

I despise almost everything about the UK.

The blatant greed and materialism of it's holidays like Christmas, Easter, Mothers day, Fathers day.

And it's overly moralistic and judgmental capitalist society.

All people in the UK care about is themselves, how much their house is worth and how many holidays a year they can have.

Thatcher's Britain, the country of ME ME ME.

I've dumped the lot.

I don't disagree that Britain is a broken Country/society at all, and I certainly moved away because I feel worn down by Western society, but I can't go without protecting our Country somewhat.

'The blatant greed and materialism of it's holidays like Christmas, Easter, Mothers day, Fathers day.'

This is both true and not. There are plenty of people who HATE every holiday season, but the cynics make the holidays just as bad as those who 'buy into it'. Father's Day and Mother's Day for me are two days on the calendar that remind us to thank our parents for being our parents. Easter and Christmas are religious holidays deeply ingrained in our history, that have become more about spending money than anything else, but for many the traditions are still there. Christmas is my favourite time of the year, and not because I am in any way religious. I love the atmosphere, I love the cold, dark nights lit by the glow of the tree and decorations around the house. I love the music, I love the movies, I love being around people who also share my enjoyment of it. Sure, you might hate these holidays for real, but if you're just being cynical, you are part of the reason the holidays are no longer like they used to be.

'All people in the UK care about is themselves, how much their house is worth and how many holidays a year they can have.'

Won't argue with this. We live in a horrible society right now. I don't miss people's attitudes in England. I don't miss dreading going to work every day, and I don't miss seeing public arguments and nastiness every week (maybe I'm exaggerating a little).

But I do miss home. And I do miss my traditions. I miss it most around Christmas time, which is why I'm taking a two week holiday home for Christmas this year.

[tutsiwarrior]

i am very traditional as regards xmas and we celebrate it every year at home here in Thailand.. Turkey, stuffing, the lot. As I come from the old sod, I bring my love of drinking and socialising to my host country. The thais are good drinkers but they dont seem to hold their drink very well. The drunker I get, the happier I get. Its the opposite with thai guys.

Reminds me of the time I celebrated xmas with my wife in Chaingmai. We had xmas lunch there and then a few pints. A really loud American guy bet me I couldnt drink 10 pints of the blackstuff in one go, one after the other. he said if I could he would give me 3,000 baht and pay for the drinks.

Everyone in the bar was egging me on, so I left.

However I came back in about an hour and asked the yank if the bet was still on. He said yes.

I sat down with 10 pints in front of me and drank the lot. I couldn't believe it.

As the american was handing over the 3000 baht and paying the bill, he asked me where I had gone for the hour.

I told him that I had just popped down to another bar 3 doors down to see if I could do it.

ugh...that sounds like a guy in Bolivia who choosed me off to a drinking contest with 'guarapo'; unfermented wine juice but highly alcoholic...and he said: 'arrogant gringo! you think that you can waltz in here and take all the women with impunity?' and he wanted us to drink steadily until we dropped and I suggested that we drink like gentlemen until the first passed out...and then my suggestion was accepted by the observers...he dropped out after a couple of hours and I was generous in triumph: 'get this sack of shit outta here...'...

and then they loaded his insensible ass back on the bus and we headed back to Cochabamba...we were students about 16 y.o. on a country excursion...

[nietzche]

I despise almost everything about the UK.

The blatant greed and materialism of it's holidays like Christmas, Easter, Mothers day, Fathers day.

And it's overly moralistic and judgmental capitalist society.

All people in the UK care about is themselves, how much their house is worth and how many holidays a year they can have.

Thatcher's Britain, the country of ME ME ME.

I've dumped the lot.

I don't disagree that Britain is a broken Country/society at all, and I certainly moved away because I feel worn down by Western society, but I can't go without protecting our Country somewhat.

'The blatant greed and materialism of it's holidays like Christmas, Easter, Mothers day, Fathers day.'

This is both true and not. There are plenty of people who HATE every holiday season, but the cynics make the holidays just as bad as those who 'buy into it'. Father's Day and Mother's Day for me are two days on the calendar that remind us to thank our parents for being our parents. Easter and Christmas are religious holidays deeply ingrained in our history, that have become more about spending money than anything else, but for many the traditions are still there. Christmas is my favourite time of the year, and not because I am in any way religious. I love the atmosphere, I love the cold, dark nights lit by the glow of the tree and decorations around the house. I love the music, I love the movies, I love being around people who also share my enjoyment of it. Sure, you might hate these holidays for real, but if you're just being cynical, you are part of the reason the holidays are no longer like they used to be.

'All people in the UK care about is themselves, how much their house is worth and how many holidays a year they can have.'

Won't argue with this. We live in a horrible society right now. I don't miss people's attitudes in England. I don't miss dreading going to work every day, and I don't miss seeing public arguments and nastiness every week (maybe I'm exaggerating a little).

But I do miss home. And I do miss my traditions. I miss it most around Christmas time, which is why I'm taking a two week holiday home for Christmas this year.

I agree that Britain is a completely broken country, and it's citizens blatant lust for materialism is disgraceful. Shame on you all!

[transam]

I despise almost everything about the UK.

The blatant greed and materialism of it's holidays like Christmas, Easter, Mothers day, Fathers day.

And it's overly moralistic and judgmental capitalist society.

All people in the UK care about is themselves, how much their house is worth and how many holidays a year they can have.

Thatcher's Britain, the country of ME ME ME.

I've dumped the lot.

I don't disagree that Britain is a broken Country/society at all, and I certainly moved away because I feel worn down by Western society, but I can't go without protecting our Country somewhat.

'The blatant greed and materialism of it's holidays like Christmas, Easter, Mothers day, Fathers day.'

This is both true and not. There are plenty of people who HATE every holiday season, but the cynics make the holidays just as bad as those who 'buy into it'. Father's Day and Mother's Day for me are two days on the calendar that remind us to thank our parents for being our parents. Easter and Christmas are religious holidays deeply ingrained in our history, that have become more about spending money than anything else, but for many the traditions are still there. Christmas is my favourite time of the year, and not because I am in any way religious. I love the atmosphere, I love the cold, dark nights lit by the glow of the tree and decorations around the house. I love the music, I love the movies, I love being around people who also share my enjoyment of it. Sure, you might hate these holidays for real, but if you're just being cynical, you are part of the reason the holidays are no longer like they used to be.

'All people in the UK care about is themselves, how much their house is worth and how many holidays a year they can have.'

Won't argue with this. We live in a horrible society right now. I don't miss people's attitudes in England. I don't miss dreading going to work every day, and I don't miss seeing public arguments and nastiness every week (maybe I'm exaggerating a little).

But I do miss home. And I do miss my traditions. I miss it most around Christmas time, which is why I'm taking a two week holiday home for Christmas this year.

I agree that Britain is a completely broken country, and it's citizens blatant lust for materialism is disgraceful. Shame on you all!

But the USA did that stuff decades ago. LOS is doing the same thing now with Noooooo cash to back it up eh.

[edwinclapham]

I despise almost everything about the UK.

The blatant greed and materialism of it's holidays like Christmas, Easter, Mothers day, Fathers day.

And it's overly moralistic and judgmental capitalist society.

All people in the UK care about is themselves, how much their house is worth and how many holidays a year they can have.

Thatcher's Britain, the country of ME ME ME.

I've dumped the lot.

I don't disagree that Britain is a broken Country/society at all, and I certainly moved away because I feel worn down by Western society, but I can't go without protecting our Country somewhat.

'The blatant greed and materialism of it's holidays like Christmas, Easter, Mothers day, Fathers day.'

This is both true and not. There are plenty of people who HATE every holiday season, but the cynics make the holidays just as bad as those who 'buy into it'. Father's Day and Mother's Day for me are two days on the calendar that remind us to thank our parents for being our parents. Easter and Christmas are religious holidays deeply ingrained in our history, that have become more about spending money than anything else, but for many the traditions are still there. Christmas is my favourite time of the year, and not because I am in any way religious. I love the atmosphere, I love the cold, dark nights lit by the glow of the tree and decorations around the house. I love the music, I love the movies, I love being around people who also share my enjoyment of it. Sure, you might hate these holidays for real, but if you're just being cynical, you are part of the reason the holidays are no longer like they used to be.

'All people in the UK care about is themselves, how much their house is worth and how many holidays a year they can have.'

Won't argue with this. We live in a horrible society right now. I don't miss people's attitudes in England. I don't miss dreading going to work every day, and I don't miss seeing public arguments and nastiness every week (maybe I'm exaggerating a little).

But I do miss home. And I do miss my traditions. I miss it most around Christmas time, which is why I'm taking a two week holiday home for Christmas this year.

Excellent post David, thank you so much