More Ups Than Downs Surviving In Isaan

[chris1dna]

Well I finally got around to asking my wife for clarification about the use if Mama an Papa. She states that when it's used between husband and wife it is certainly an expression of love and respect and endearment. However, when used by a bar girl it's often used in the derogatory as more likely referring to a 'sugar papa'. Source of money. She also stated you all "we" talk too much. Lol!

[rizla]

You need to train your darling not to surprise you.

Arrange your calendar at least one week in advance.

Any item she doesn't inform you of, one week in advance, will then be discovered to clash with an important meeting of yours.

(Immigration/bank manager/hospital/dentist/expats club meeting, etc)

You and your wallet can't go with her, bad luck darling, you should have told me earlier.

You should also teach her not to call you Papa, deeply disrespectful when used between sexual partners.

Papa is reserved for non-sexual relationships with men of an older generation.

Agree, l am in Isaan and the few times l have come across the Papa thing is when a guy looks old and his mrs doesn't . Seems to me that it's for the natives to think the old guy is a carer for the young native. If my mrs referred to me that way l would be a bit pissed off. I prefer darling, which is the norm (I think).

Correct answer Sir, that is exactly when it is used and should be used..

[SlyAnimal]

However, when used by a bar girl it's often used in the derogatory as more likely referring to a 'sugar papa'. Source of money.

bPaa is the Thai word for Sugar Daddy, pretty similar to the English word Papa too lol.

There's a couple of great music videos (first / second) by one of my favourite singers on Sabaidee TV about a Thai sugar daddy which are quite funny lol (I always love watching the funny music videos there lol, even if you can't understand all the words, you can work out the ones you don't from the video lolz)

Edited September 3, 2012 by SlyAnimal

[yasorab]

Welcome to the party, I thought it was only me !!lol. Sure this is not "same same " as thet back in the UK but is that not why we are here? Keep at it , speaking Issan Thai of Lao is not the same as the Kings Thai you get at school but if you can get around the Boa Boa you get after every phrase or saying you will eventually get it ( to some extent) Christ I have been in Thailand 17 years and I am still learning ! Good luck anyway and start charging for the taxi !! lol.

[svenivan]

Well I finally got around to asking my wife for clarification about the use if Mama an Papa. She states that when it's used between husband and wife it is certainly an exp<b></b>ression of love and respect and endearment. However, when used by a bar girl it's often used in the derogatory as more likely referring to a 'sugar papa'. Source of money. She also stated you all "we" talk too much. Lol!

I got the same information from my wife so now we know where Tommy and some other guys, that thinks Papa is disrepectful, are learning and practising their Thai language.

[blue eyes]

My wife just calls me by my first name.But some times she will call me Pe (first name).When she does that I know she is going to ask me for money for the extended family.Or for a good amount of money or to go some where on a trip.With me as the driver for the "group".As to the original post.The wife will look at me like she understands what I said and then do something different.I say do you understand me?And sure enough she will say yes.Even though she did not.I have found over the years it is best just to relaxe and try again.The funny thing is she reads,writes and speaks english great.

Edited September 13, 2012 by blue eyes

[gk10002000]

The best language skills in the world (yours or hers) will still not enable a Thai to plan beyond the next meal.

Hehe. Well stated. The result of growing up and doing daily shopping for fresh food. Going down to the market every day as a way of life. Sometimes not planning is great. I love a care free vacation. But the Thai scheduling, well, as you guys that live there are writing about is something to be experienced.