Country Of Origin, How Important ?

[soi41]

I often see on threads here, posters defending the virtues/values of their homecountries. Especially the Brits and the Americans here are very good at telling the rest of us, how "perfect" the system is in their respective countries. Contradicting that is, that some of most balanced and knowledgeable posters here, with a really good understanding of Thai society are IMO the Brits and Scots(blether for the "like" ealier).

Been here for a little more than 10 years, best years of my life , and I never look back. Whatever little family, I still keep in touch with, visits me here. But I don't feel the need to "sell" the system of my country of origin to other posters. For better or worse Thailand is home , so my passport is really just a piece of paper, nothing to do with where my heart is. Only thing I regret, is that I didn't come here earlier.

So my question is, how important is your country of origin for you being you? And how does that form your POV on living in Thailand?

[rodentwarrior]

Of course your original Country will provide you with a reference regarding a point of view about another Country.

I have recently left Thailand after 8 very happy years. I have moved to the Philippines for more reasons than I wish to go into now. Luckily my financial position means that I can live where I want to, not often the case for older retired guys in LOS.

As a Brit, my experience of life in the UK is positive to a certain extent, but I certainly wouldn't consider living there again. Of course UK is damned attractive to a lot of immigrants because of the welfare system, National Health, education, benefits for life etc etc. But it's far from Nirvana!

[Ulysses G.]

I am American and glad that is where I was born and spent much of my life. However. I much rather live in Thailand now, but I do not want to be Thai. Being a stranger in a strange land suits me just fine.

Edited July 8, 2012 by Ulysses G.

[MJP]

Countries don't actually exist. They're an illusion. Constructs of a collective madness.

Saying that, most of my friends in Thailand are American or Scandinavian, two close friends (lifetime expats) are British, one Japanese, a few close friends are Thai . . . it turns out we're all the same, so doesn't really matter.

Edited July 8, 2012 by MJP

[villagefarang]

I have lived in Thailand much longer than I lived in my country of birth. I have little interest in politics, religion, organizations or belief systems. I don’t believe I am overly influenced by my place of birth and take full responsibility for any nonsense that comes forth from my keyboard.

Edited July 8, 2012 by villagefarang

[MJP]

have lived in Thailand much longer than I lived in my country of birth. I have little interest in politics, religion, organizations or belief systems. I don’t believe I am overly influenced by my place of birth and take full responsibility for any nonsense that comes forth from my keyboard.

I generally can't be ar$ed either.

Good plan.

Edited July 8, 2012 by MJP

[ripstanley]

I am from Australia. I like to keep aware of what is happenning down there but I now live in Thailand and consider this as home. I have a wife and a child on the way. I am lucky to live in the north where it is non touristy. Have lived in Phuket. The Thai people are very friendly and make me feel welcome up here. . There are some aspects I have to get use to (especially driving) but i am learning. If you think your country is so great why move?

[seasia]

It`s not really important to me.

I describe England/Britain as the country of my birth, it is no more than that.

Overall and so far I prefer Thailand for living in.

[chops]

Not much. I have no more affinity to America than I do to a pair of underwear.

[Cobalt60]

Whatever you feel now, your country of birth gave you the opportunity to learn and earn so you could make the choices you take now.

I am sure someone born to poverty struck parents in Somalia for instance, would be more than grateful to have the choice to dis own their birth place.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Thaivisa Connect App

[cdnmatt]

Ever notice that the people from countries who have the best standard of living in the world never brag about it?

You don't ever (or very rarely) hear any Swedes, Norwegians, Finnish, etc..., or anyone else bragging about how amazing their country is.

[transam]

Ever notice that the people from countries who have the best standard of living in the world never brag about it?

You don't ever (or very rarely) hear any Swedes, Norwegians, Finnish, etc..., or anyone else bragging about how amazing their country is.

So who in your opinion brags about their country. ?

[TommoPhysicist]

I think JT should do a poll.

I could start it off, I'm from England, and I think it's a shit-hole.

Now anyone want to tell us their country is great or garbage?

If I could choose my country of birth, France or Germany or Switzerland.

Edited July 8, 2012 by TommoPhysicist

[transam]

I think JT should do a poll.

I could start it off, I'm from England, and I think it's a shit-hole.

Now anyone want to tell us their country is great or garbage?

If I could choose my country of birth, France or Germany or Switzerland.

Why. ?

[Scott]

Some of us have more than one country.

We all have a frame of reference that comes from our background. Somethings work well and smoothly, some don't.

Thailand is not my home country, never will be. At some point I will return to my home.

Life here was easier 20 years ago. I've always felt like a guest. Twenty years ago, I felt like a welcomed guest, now I am not so sure.

[trainman34014]

I'm a Brit' and I love my Mother country. In years past I would have been prepared to fight and die for it. However; since the 1980's it's been going slowly down hill until there is almost nothing left worth fighting for. I decided to quit the country around the time of the millenium but then good,sensible planning took over and I finally left in 2008. I go back sometimes for family reasons but now have no desire to live there ever again.

Wherever you decide to live there is no such thing as perfect. Life is what you make it and anyone who comes to Thailand from the West is bound to make comparisons. Personally; I have found that the more time passes the more you adapt to your new lifestyle and forget about all the comparison hang-ups.

[MJP]

Some of us have more than one country.

We all have a frame of reference that comes from our background. Somethings work well and smoothly, some don't.

Thailand is not my home country, never will be. At some point I will return to my home.

Life here was easier 20 years ago. I've always felt like a guest. Twenty years ago, I felt like a welcomed guest, now I am not so sure.

Sadly, East meets West in Thailand turned out to be a disappointing mix of suspicion, stereotyping and xenophobia, mostly down to the rapid growth in sex tourism and the flood of foreign criminals from the petty to the organised. The flaunting of wealth by Westerners also didn't help either.

[rijb]

I don't agree that expats represent, or sell, their the country as the "perfect" system. Experienced expats know that every place has its strengths and weaknesses.

Nothing wrong with constructive criticism. But, I have no respect for insecure expats that just show off by bad mouthing their home country, or the country they live in.

[DP25]

Especially the Brits and the Americans here are very good at telling the rest of us, how "perfect" the system is in their respective countries.

Doesn't sound like most Brits I know. When they're not moaning about Thailand they're moaning about the UK

[MJP]

Especially the Brits and the Americans here are very good at telling the rest of us, how "perfect" the system is in their respective countries.

Doesn't sound like most Brits I know. When they're not moaning about Thailand they're moaning about the UK

Oh we do love a good old moan, we do.

And a cuppa tea . . . you forgot to mention moaning over a cuppa tea.

[arminbkk]

Life here was easier 20 years ago. I've always felt like a guest. Twenty years ago, I felt like a welcomed guest, now I am not so sure.

+1 but 10 years

[arminbkk]

Things are not perfect in my home country, things are not perfect in Thailand.

Some things from my home country would be good for Thailand (health care system, welfare system, no or less corruption, fair politics, less class system like society, no patronage system, old age pension scheme, real law enforcement etc.), but then again, Thailand wouldn't be Thailand anymore, certainly more expensive. But it would be fairer and better for Thai people and their living conditions.

On the other hand, in Thailand you have more choice where to eat, where to shop, how to travel about. People will not likely bother you for lack of having something better to do, or because they don't like the shirt you're wearing. Thais have less macho behavior (although I see that changing a bit).

And of course there are more pretty and fit girls walking around

But the same goes for Thailand that goes for other countries: the more money you have, the more comfortable you can make it yourself.

Unfortunately I am not a rich expat

As for the OP: I'm glad I am from where I am from. It's not perfect, but I would not bash my home country.

Then again, I am going back there in a month for a few weeks, so I might change my POV toward my home country.

I usually find myself missing my home country when I am not there, or better, certain things and people there, but missing Thailand when I am there.

[brit1984]

Most of us (consciously or subconsciously) compare Thailand to other countries where we have lived (including our "home country").

I like the fact that this forum has an international membership base, all with different viewpoints (shaped by personal circumstances).

Sent from iPhone; please forgive any typos or violations of forum rules

[TommoPhysicist]

I think JT should do a poll.

I could start it off, I'm from England, and I think it's a shit-hole.

Now anyone want to tell us their country is great or garbage?

If I could choose my country of birth, France or Germany or Switzerland.

Why. ?

France for having similar divorce laws as Thailand (you keep what was yours)

Germany for being the rulers of Europe (and snappy Nazi uniforms)

Switzerland for the money, chocolate and skiing (and gun ownership)

Edited July 9, 2012 by TommoPhysicist

[robblok]

Every country has its advantages and disadvantages but obviously we like Thailand the best else we would not live here.

[StreetCowboy]

Ever notice that the people from countries who have the best standard of living in the world never brag about it?

You don't ever (or very rarely) hear any Swedes, Norwegians, Finnish, etc..., or anyone else bragging about how amazing their country is.

So who in your opinion brags about their country. ?

Scots. I suppose we've just got more to brag about. Rain. Midges. Alex Salmond. Wind. Rain. Wind and Rain. Hangovers....

SC

[draftvader]

I'm always curious about these negative "home-country" comments on TV. As a Brit I very often read other Brits bashing the UK and think "That's not what I know or have experienced". The truth is that saying "Thailand is x,y,z and the UK is x,y,z" is never going to lead anywhere. Let me explain my thoughts.

Just come back from 22 days in England, taking our new daughter to see our families and friends. We spent 5 days in Burnham (near Slough (don't go into it, Burnham is a beautiful way away from Slough)), a couple of days on the outskirts of Woking, 10 days in Devon, then back through Woking again to Burnham for another 5 days.

On my first full day in the UK the wife, daughter and mother-in-law went on a girly shopping trip, leaving me knocking about their house alone so I decided to check out Burnham market. It was a small affair, but such wonderful goods. Everybody I met down the market was friendly and genuinely interested in our little chats. The place is spotlessly clean and the weather broke to sunshine a fair amount.

Woking was the same. Devon is incredibly friendly throughout.

So, where are all these negative views coming from?

If I lived in Slough and based my life around Slough I too would hate the UK. If I was raised on the worst estates in London, Nottingham, Manchester, Liverpool, etc, etc I would hate the UK too. As it was we barely scratched London this time, just popping to a friend's in Brixton for Sunday lunch and spent most of out time in small towns and villages that have not been overly affected by issues of immigration, increasing crime, etc, etc. (by the way I personally can't have a negative opinion about immigration...I am an immigrant (described as Non-Immi, but I keep on staying!)).

Maybe the question shouldn't be "Country of Origin", but "Town/District" of origin. After all I live in a lovely part of West Bangkok, but there are PLENTY of parts of BKK that I wouldn't have a great life in. There are plenty of other factors to include here too, like job, housing type, neighbours, etc that would also influence your experience.

This is why there is such variety in the views of expats about their home countries. London is NOT the UK (former Londoner here) and BKK is NOT Thailand (I'm a Bangkokian now).

[h90]

Of course I compare Thailand with my home country.

But I find things that are better here and things that are better at home.

Good would be to combine the good things and drop the bad in both countries......

Of course there is the trap that people glorify their past experience....

[chrisinth]

Having a talk with the missus the other week there, and we discovered that for me, from the age of 16, where I currently live in Thailand has been the longest time spent in one place since I left home to work. I am now 55.

Having been born on an island called Ireland, but because I was born in the north I was classed as British, so I have been confused about my origin all my life. Lessons learned from this? To me anyway, my country of origin only means support if everything comes off the rails. Am I proud to be British (or Irish for that matter!)? Good question. And this is after serving in the armed forces for 23 years; for me, difficult to answer.

Not sure if anyone else has found this, but for me living outside my home country has given me a clearer view on what is happening domestically and politically in that country. I put it down to be outside the mainstream where just accepting changes without questioning why are they doing that which normally after some moaning is what happens. I now find myself asking why the people would let their elected representitives even consider some of their decisions. Mankind is a bovine race in that it needs leaders and generally, we will follow the path of least resistance. This is how governments control.

I have always followed that where you live (not originate from) is where you live! After all, it is the rules of that place that you follow at the time and they should never be related to the rules of your original country.

Just my tuppence worth.

[pattayadingo]

I am proud to be British. Being British. To list a few things about Being British it gave me a good education, taught me fairness and manners and about different cultures and societies around the world. When I was down it helped me back on my feet. It gave me freedom of movement and many different opportunities in life too. So I use my home country's ideals and values as a reference to whatever other country I am in.

Britain is not perfect but what country is?