Like Zombies

[muythai2013]

I have noticed the habit of Thai people, particularly the older generation will often just stare at you with a dead pan zombie like look.

In Malls, Restaurants, Markets, anywhere they will just stare and not even attempt to hide it, Public transport is the worst for it.

Now Bangkok is no Stranger to Farangs so they should be used to us by now.

now I dress very well, and look normal, sometimes though they look at me like i'm the Elephant man, sometimes they smile, sometime they look in disgust for no reason other then i'm farang, but that zombie like no emotion like stare gets me.

looking at me in an I want you tonight kind of way is great, curiosity is fine to, looking at me in disgust does not bother me, it's the Zombie look the bugs me because I don't understand it, the thousand yard stare.

[Ulysses G.]

A lot of strange farangs stare too. What can you do?

[muythai2013]

A lot of strange farangs stare too. What can you do?

probably even more so now you mention it,lol

[Payboy]

They're just looking through you.

[daoyai]

...it is not about you, don't take it personally.

[FunFon]

-

Violating universal manners isn't rude when you're doing it to a "them", only within the "us" group.

Remember we're aliens, if you encountered a lizard-like alien creature, would you be self-conscious about staring at it?

[muythai2013]

...it is not about you, don't take it personally.

no I just find that deadpan stare strange, like what are you thinking, no sign of any emotion, I expect that in a war zone.

Edited April 20, 2013 by muythai2013

[Jingthing]

Maybe they see stuff we don't see.

[canuckamuck]

I have seen these zombies all over Asia, not a Thai thing, but it is a rude thing.

[muythai2013]

Maybe they see stuff we don't see.

maybe in the future I will show them something they can't yet see.lol.

[muythai2013]

In the country I expect it, not many Farang around on mass, but in the city its strange.

We don't walk around Sydney staring at Asians, Except the hot ones I want to chop into.

[David48]

Does that zombie look differ from City to Country?

In a large City, I can understand it ... in a rural village, less so.

.

[muythai2013]

I was sitting on a chair with nothing but a wall behind me, an old lady was in a chair in front, she turned to face me and was stairing right into my eyes for about 5 minutes before I had to say something.

In any culture or language, thats messed up, she was only a few feet away, I felt like a zoo exzibit.

what could she be thinking about for that entire time.

[thequietman]

I was sitting on a chair with nothing but a wall behind me, an old lady was in a chair in front, she turned to face me and was stairing right into my eyes for about 5 minutes before I had to say something.

In any culture or language, thats messed up, she was only a few feet away, I felt like a zoo exzibit.

what could she be thinking about for that entire time.

I was sitting on a chair with nothing but a wall behind me, an old lady was in a chair in front, she turned to face me and was stairing right into my eyes for about 5 minutes before I had to say something.

In any culture or language, thats messed up, she was only a few feet away, I felt like a zoo exzibit.

what could she be thinking about for that entire time.

You see............. there's your problem right there ! There is NO thought process. It is discouraged here. Kinda like the lights are on but nobodies at home.

[Loptr]

Could be worse. They could be picking their nose while staring at you.

[rene123]

When I get really tired I often go into a bit of a trance and just stare at nothing. I'm half way between being asleep and awake. Maybe that is what the cause was. Many Thais have very boring lives and maybe the guy was just in a trance between bordom and sleep.

[Star Dust]

I know this too well. Stare back. And I mean like STARE BACK......don't blink, SSTTTAAAARRRRREEEE....and look what happens.

It's fun, I'm telling you. Just try it.

[NancyL]

I agree with the assessment that someone is just tired or thinking about something else if this zombie staring happens on public transport. Just catch their eye and smile and people realize they've been starting, usually smiling back.

I worked with a guy who could really unnerve whatever secretary who was working outside his office. He had a habit of just staring straight ahead, like a zombie, when he was thinking. The poor gals thought he was looking at them, but in truth, they were just in his line-of-sight. He stared straight ahead even when no one was outside his office.

Edited April 20, 2013 by NancyL

[kevvy]

I have seen these zombies all over Asia, not a Thai thing, but it is a rude thing.

i have seen them all over the world not just Asia

[kevvy]

I was sitting on a chair with nothing but a wall behind me, an old lady was in a chair in front, she turned to face me and was stairing right into my eyes for about 5 minutes before I had to say something.

In any culture or language, thats messed up, she was only a few feet away, I felt like a zoo exzibit.

what could she be thinking about for that entire time.

how good looking you were .

[Kitsune]

When old guys stare at me I go and stand right behind them and stare at their back intensively, they can't turn around and do feel like an object in their turn...it drives them nut as it give them a taste of their own medicine.

[soi41]

I was sitting on a chair with nothing but a wall behind me, an old lady was in a chair in front, she turned to face me and was stairing right into my eyes for about 5 minutes before I had to say something.

In any culture or language, thats messed up, she was only a few feet away, I felt like a zoo exzibit.

what could she be thinking about for that entire time.

Ever considered not wearing your speedos in public ??

[Banzai99]

When old guys stare at me I go and stand right behind them and stare at their back intensively, they can't turn around and do feel like an object in their turn...it drives them nut as it give them a taste of their own medicine.

No you don't....

[Songhua]

I have seen these zombies all over Asia, not a Thai thing, but it is a rude thing.

i have seen them all over the world not just Asia

A foreigner can draw a crowd of dozens in China .... It's like the night of the living dead.

[boone57]

Would you rather be invisable like in your home country?

[ARISTIDE]

You can experience the blank stare to a greater degree in India or China. So I think it's an Asian thing. Additionally most Asians don't like bearded and hairy person regardless.

[shaggy1969]

Maybe they are just in awe of you !!!

Joking aside,I do know the look/stare you mean and have never encountered it anywhere else (thankfully)

[Eesat]

When old guys stare at me I go and stand right behind them and stare at their back intensively, they can't turn around and do feel like an object in their turn...it drives them nut as it give them a taste of their own medicine.

Why can't they turn around,am I missing something?

[kurnell]

You gotta be looking for it cos I can honestly say that I have never noticed a single stare in the last 5 years and I go out in public every day.

[Beetlejuice]

Now I dress very well, and look normal, sometimes though they look at me like i'm the Elephant man, sometimes they smile, sometime they look in disgust for no reason other then i'm farang, but that zombie like no emotion like stare gets me.

How do you know they are staring at you in disgust because you are a farang? Perhaps you do look a bit odd, as no one can picture themselves as others see them.

Sounds like an acute case of paranoia or the OP is suffering from an inferiority complex. Chill out and if you suspect Thai people are staring at you, just look the other way and act normal.

Edited April 20, 2013 by Beetlejuice