Does Being Called Farang Bother You?

[MonkeyMagic3]

I'm well aware of the different stories etc as to why all caucasians are called farang here and that it usually isn't used in a derogatory way but it does annoy me on occasion, how about you? To have a specific name for people based on skin colour is frowned upon in most countries yet here it is accepted. It wasn't so long ago that all people of African origin were labelled as n*****s and there are specific words to describe Asians and South Americans too but they are seldom used these days.

I was recently called Khun Farang in a government office even though they knew my name, similar story on a recent hospital visit. I hear it at schools, shopping centers, restaurants and even on the daft TV shows my wife likes to watch. It really doesn't bother me that much but on occasion I'd rather be called by my name if they know it or be asked my name so they can call me by my name instead of just 'farang'!

[brit1984]

No

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

[Pormax]

Generally no, I accept it is what Thais people use in a general way. However when I got married and went to live in the village it did p..s me off and I asked my wife to tell the family and rest in the village we come into contact regularly that I do have a name and would like them to use that. Since then not been a problem. If they don't know your name then it is excusable.

[Morakot]

I love guava. It's refreshingly tasty.

Edited September 7, 2012 by Morakot

[DMC1]

No. Some people are more touchy and don't like to hear it in certain situations like you mentioned above. Fair enough. You kind of know when someone is being rude though.

I think Andrew Biggs did a good little article about it in 'Brunch' a few months back.

[MonkeyMagic3]

No

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

Even if someone knows your name but they call you Mr farang or just farang?

[Pormax]

I love guava. It's refreshingly tasty.

What has this to do with the OP's topic!!!!!

[MonkeyMagic3]

I love guava. It's refreshingly tasty.

What has this to do with the OP's topic!!!!!

Thais call Guava farang, sit and eat one in the public and I'm sure you'll hear 'farang gin farang' 55555

[Nowhereman60]

No, it doesn't bother me. But what bother me is people who continually have to ask this question.

[Morakot]

I love guava. It's refreshingly tasty.

What has this to do with the OP's topic!!!!!

Welcome to Thailand.

[MonkeyMagic3]

No, it doesn't bother me. But what bother me is people who continually have to ask this question.

So being called a name based solely on the colour of your skin doesn't bother you but someone who is sometimes bothered by it bothers you?!

[Jingthing]

I hate it but accept it as one of the negative things about Thailand so I am well beyond being upset by it as that would be self defeating. There are pros and cons in any country.

Edited September 7, 2012 by Jingthing

[whistleblower]

If im in a taxi and the driver is saying on the phone he has a farang in the car- no not bothered

If i'm in a store and the assistand talks to another assistant and says 'the farang needs help' - no not bothered

when i go to a company and say " Hello my name is Mr. kjkjjiik I have an appointment with Khun Somchai" and the receptionist then phones that person and says a farang is here to see you - yes pisses me off totally

When Thais who know my name and still refer to me as Farang - yes pisses me off.

[Nowhereman60]

No, it doesn't bother me. But what bother me is people who continually have to ask this question.

So being called a name based solely on the colour of your skin doesn't bother you but someone who is sometimes bothered by it bothers you?!

yes

[smokie36]

Aah farang....love it....i am rich and handsome!

[Berkshire]

No, it doesn't bother me. But what bother me is people who continually have to ask this question.

So being called a name based solely on the colour of your skin doesn't bother you but someone who is sometimes bothered by it bothers you?!

So people who know you still call you farang? That's rather odd. Does your wife call you farang?

And your OP is really misleading and inaccurate. People in the US, for example, are referred to by skin color/ethnicity all the time, e.g., African-Americans, blacks, whites, Caucasians, Hispanics, etc. But you're bringing up derogatory racial slurs which "farang" definitely is not. Many have tried to play that game and it only demonstrates their ignorance.

If your only concern is that people who know you still call you farang, that's one thing (and again, highly unusual). But the term farang is not offensive.

[arthurwait]

No.

Anyone with an ounce of manners and class that knows my name calls me my name.

People that don't know my name that say farang is just because they don't know my name.

The permently pissed, mannerless slobs here that still call me farang I funnily enough don't care about.

[Morakot]

when i go to a company and say " Hello my name is Mr. kjkjjiik I have an appointment with Khun Somchai" and the receptionist then phones that person and says a farang is here to see you - yes pisses me off totally

Yes, that would be considered rude in Thai culture, knowing someone's name and not using it. Especially in a formal situation like this.

Edited September 7, 2012 by Morakot

[Jingthing]

I am annoyed by foreigners who have gone so "Thai-ier than thou" that they argue that the f-rang name calling is a great thing and never insulting and/or racist. I also don't think WE as foreigners should use the word talking about each other. Like I said I consider it a negative thing about Thailand. We can't change that, so it's wise to ACCEPT it, but to PROMOTE is a step nobody needs to take!

Edited September 7, 2012 by Jingthing

[Berkshire]

I am annoyed by foreigners who have gone so "Thai-ier than thou" that they argue that the f-rang name calling is a great thing and never insulting and/or racist. I also don't think WE as foreigners should use the word talking about each other. Like I said I consider it a negative thing about Thailand. We can't change that, so it's wise to ACCEPT it, but to PROMOTE is a step nobody needs to take!

JT, no one is "promoting" the use of the word....certainly not me. It is what it is. To me, farang is EXACTLY the same as the word Caucasian. Or Asian. Do you find those words offensive?

[bkkjames]

quick, somebody post the link to the last 4 topics about this very same topic...

[Morakot]

Like I said I consider it a negative thing about Thailand.

OK!

But you are aware that Thai people see it as neither negative nor positive. Aren't you? It is usually purely descriptive (unless used improperly). Unlike in many European and North American cultures, being openly descriptive, especially about psychical features is not considered to be rude in Thailand. You do know this, don't you?

Edited September 7, 2012 by Morakot

[Soutpeel]

quick, somebody post the link to the last 4 topics about this very same topic...

The last 4 topic's...this has been done about 4 million times on TV

[villagefarang]

I’m terribly offended when they drop “village” and only call me “farang”.

Come on already, their country, their language, their customs and their rules. They can call me anything they want but people who know me, always use my name. That includes the staff at Starbucks, even. I have questions about those who claim to be disrespected by Thais.

Edited September 7, 2012 by villagefarang

[bkkjames]

quick, somebody post the link to the last 4 topics about this very same topic...

The last 4 topic's...this has been done about 4 million times on TV

I appreciate that SP, just thought the last 4 topics would give those concerned with more up to date info. but then again I hate being called smart-ass farang. just call me smartass thanks!

[Tep]

I hate it but accept it as one of the negative things about Thailand so I am well beyond being upset by it as that would be self defeating. There are pros and cons in any country.

I agree. When addressed by Thai people, it is occasionally annoying but I see this as my problem. It mainly bothers me when non Thai's use it as I have seen it used many times in a derogatory way or to provoke a response by foreigners to each other on these types of forum boards.

[473geo]

If im in a taxi and the driver is saying on the phone he has a farang in the car- no not bothered

If i'm in a store and the assistand talks to another assistant and says 'the farang needs help' - no not bothered

when i go to a company and say " Hello my name is Mr. kjkjjiik I have an appointment with Khun Somchai" and the receptionist then phones that person and says a farang is here to see you - yes pisses me off totally

When Thais who know my name and still refer to me as Farang - yes pisses me off.

Cut the Thai some slack, even a native English speaker would struggle to pronounce that name

[KhaoNiaw]

A guy in the wife's village gets really upset about it because he's been living there for years and thinks people should use his name. Funny thing is, he can't remember many names of the locals apart from his wife's brothers and sisters.

[Morakot]

"It is generally believed that the word farang originated with the Indo-Persian word farangi, meaning foreigner. This in turn comes from the word Frank via the Arabic word firinjīyah, which was used to refer to the Franks, a West Germanic tribe that became the biggest political power in Western Europe during the early Middle Ages and from which France derives its name."

[whistleblower]

Like I said I consider it a negative thing about Thailand.

OK!

But you are aware that Thai people see it as neither negative nor positive. Aren't you? It is usually purely descriptive (unless used improperly). Unlike in many European and North American cultures, being openly descriptive, especially about psychical features is not considered to be rude in Thailand. You do know this, don't you?

But it is in other countries don't you know?