Surrounded By "enemy" Nationals On A Baht Bus; Confused As To Proper Etiquette

[Jingthing]

Pattaya is in Thailand and Thailand has peaceful/friendly relations internationally BUT many of the nationals visiting Pattaya ... don't.

So last night I boarded a baht bus and it was chock full with drunken, singing happy IRANIAN young men (30ish) having a grand tourism time.

Nothing against these blokes as PEOPLE, but my country's government and their country's government are in my opinion engaged in a long standing SOFT WAR.

So I felt awkward.

I know some people will say, it's the governments in conflict NOT the people, BUT you can't know their politics, even though you do know their fundamentalism is under doubt considering the open beer bottles and drunkenness.

Yes of course but surely they are still NATIONALIST. That is only natural. Anyway, you can make assumptions and guesses about their politics all day long, but you don't KNOW.

Then there are my issues: I support my government's efforts against the Iranian government. I am NOT apolitical about this at all.

So then a Russian and/or Bulgarian lady boards and she is loving the scene. She thinks I am one of them. She determines the men are from Iran and expresses her friendship towards Iran and they make it clear I am NOT one of them.

The entire bus now is pointing me out, the one who isn't with the group, what nationality am I, how do I fit into all this scene on the baht bus.

I acted dumb and zoned out. I didn't have the energy to play the I'M CANADIAN game though even if I'm not above that in a pinch. Turned on my smart phone and opened Thaivisa. NO WAY was I going to come out as American surrounded by drunken Iranians. I know many people would feel OK to say I'm American to these guys and would call me paranoid. But I wasn't comfortable coming out as American in that situation, and it seemed the smart reaction at that time.

It's not the drunken Iranian's fault. But its the real world and the real world still exists in Pattaya, drunkenness or not.

So I remain CONFUSED about the proper etiquette when surrounded by "enemy" nationals on a baht bus. I'm sure this isn't the last time (not the first either) such situations are going to come up here, being American and all ...

Edited May 31, 2013 by Jingthing

[OMGImInPattaya]

I think you did the right thing...many Iranians, don't support their government, but you don't know about this group. Lasso, most people, regardless of the state of relations between their respective governments, are curious about Americans as individuals and don't have an animus against us.

However, you never know, especially when alcohol is mixed in. Nothing to be ashamed of in your taking the actions you did or didn't do.

[Jingthing]

There were multiple factors. The drunkenness and their large overwhelming numbers. They were definitely FRIENDLY but with all that booze, friendliness can turn. I suppose some people might say I'm American but I don't support my governments actions towards your country. But in my case that would be a LIE and I didn't even have the energy to play the Canuck card, much less lie about my politics.

Again, I'm sure many people are going to label this paranoid behavior. What would the American embassy advise, do you reckon? I'm sure they would advise: AVOID potential conflict of this nature to the best of your ability and that's what I did.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Jingthing

[sotsira]

So we have one more reason why it's safer to ride a motorcycle than use the baht buses.

Especially if your American or Israeli.

[itchybum]

Its ok to be scared.

Embrace it.

Suck those cheeks in.

[Naam]

Again, I'm sure many people are going to label this paranoid behavior.
What would the American embassy advise, do you reckon? I'm sure they
would advise: AVOID potential conflict of this nature to the best of
your ability and that's what I did.

there is no doubt that you are a politically correct hero.

[RabC]

So we have one more reason why it's safer to ride a motorcycle than use the baht buses.

Especially if your American or Israeli.

Or a total whimp.

[Pattaya28]

Self preservation is very important in a society when anything can happen. Hidden dangers are everywhere.

Alcohol fueled Iranians would bother me, whether I was an American or not.

I would have got off the baht-bus.

Though with my luck, the next baht-bus would have been loaded with drunk Russians

[rijb]

Next time, scream 'death to America'!! And throw stones at the lady.

[avander]

You took the best option. Discretion is the better part of valour (or stupidity).

No need to chance open invitations for trouble unless you know you can come out on top.

[Jayman]

Next time, scream 'death to America'!! And throw stones at the lady.

Thank you for that. I actually laughed aloud when I read that.

[meatballs]

I always tell people I'm from Canada. Works pretty well most of them time. Sometimes they'll get suspicious and start asking me questions about Canada I don't know. Or they'll tell my my accent is definitely not Canadian.

[MrZM]

Try telling them your Jewish.

Took me a nearly a year before I told my Iraqi friend. I was pleasantly surprised by his reaction.

You just can't tell, sometimes it's best to be honest.

[wwex]

Im sorry I wasted my time reading that

[Jingthing]

Try telling them your Jewish.

Took me a nearly a year before I told my Iraqi friend. I was pleasantly surprised by his reaction.

You just can't tell, sometimes it's best to be honest.

It took you a year to tell a friend? Okie Dokie.

Perhaps I should have announced to the drunken gang on the bus:

I'm a gay married Israeli IDF fighter pilot!

[Thailaw]

You shared a Baht bus with these guys. You didn't have sex with any of them (did you?). It is really none of their business who you are, where you are from or what your nationality is. A polite smile, with a blank stare , suggesting that you really don't understand the question/speak his language, should be more than adequate (and, given the number of Russians here that don't speak a word of English, not an unexpected reaction). Neither Emily Post or Miss Manners would require more, and probably wouldn't require that.

[Jingthing]

You shared a Baht bus with these guys. You didn't have sex with any of them (did you?). It is really none of their business who you are, where you are from or what your nationality is. A polite smile, with a blank stare , suggesting that you really don't understand the question/speak his language, should be more than adequate (and, given the number of Russians here that don't speak a word of English, not an unexpected reaction). Neither Emily Post or Miss Manners would require more, and probably wouldn't require that.

That's pretty close to what I did but it was obvious I knew what was up but didn't want to engage. I am perfectly aware by clamming up like that I missed an opportunity to bond with a drunken gaggle of Persians and that we could have been friends for life, but I just wasn't into it. I sometimes see bohemian looking Iranians (in smaller numbers of course) that I would be interested in talking to. But that situation was just too much. In general, I very much enjoy the diversity of nationalities in Pattaya (my main objection to the Russians is their dominance dilutes that diversity) but then there are moments of discomfort.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Jingthing

[watcharacters]

So we have one more reason why it's safer to ride a motorcycle than use the baht buses.

Especially if your American or Israeli.

Or a total whimp.

.

I'm going to guess you wouldn't favor being a sacrificial lamb, would you?

[manarak]

I bet JT felt lucky to come across a topic for his next post on TV.

[Jingthing]

I bet JT felt lucky to come across a topic for his next post on TV.

The baht buses appear to be the mother lode.

This isn't really something new to my consciousness -- the mixing of "enemy" nationals in the international city here.

Edited May 31, 2013 by Jingthing

[Barack]

Try telling them your Jewish.

Took me a nearly a year before I told my Iraqi friend. I was pleasantly surprised by his reaction.

You just can't tell, sometimes it's best to be honest.

It took you a year to tell a friend? Okie Dokie.

Perhaps I should have announced to the drunken gang on the bus:

I'm a gay married Israeli IDF fighter pilot!

Blown opportunity JT. You had your smartphone, GPS coordinates, etc.;if notified I would have ordered a drone strike thereby eliminating potential terrorists and anything else would be considered collateral damage. Another blessing it would have brought an end to this thread.

[gmac]

Try telling them your Jewish.

Took me a nearly a year before I told my Iraqi friend. I was pleasantly surprised by his reaction.

You just can't tell, sometimes it's best to be honest.

It took you a year to tell a friend? Okie Dokie.

Perhaps I should have announced to the drunken gang on the bus:

I'm a gay married Israeli IDF fighter pilot!

Blown opportunity JT. You had your smartphone, GPS coordinates, etc.;if notified I would have ordered a drone strike thereby eliminating potential terrorists and anything else would be considered collateral damage. Another blessing it would have brought an end to this thread.

......and Jingthing!!

[kotsak]

I don't know if playing the Canadian would go down well with the Iranians either.. :>

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Could have been worse, they could have thought you were gay!

[Tywais]

Not quite the same situation as JT but we had a seminar a few years ago (IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency) and I sat down with a couple of guys from the seminar on our office balcony and started up a conversation. The question of nationality came up and one said Iranian and the other said Cuban. Well being an American my comfort level did a bit of a shift toward the awkward side. I was at a loss for words but things went ok after that brief moment.

[MrZM]

Try telling them your Jewish.

Took me a nearly a year before I told my Iraqi friend. I was pleasantly surprised by his reaction.

You just can't tell, sometimes it's best to be honest.

It took you a year to tell a friend? Okie Dokie.

Perhaps I should have announced to the drunken gang on the bus:

I'm a gay married Israeli IDF fighter pilot!

And obviously a racist.

I use baht buses most days and nights. Sitting on there with all sorts are nationals from different countries.

They are about as interested in you as you are in them.

Jinghting is it the fact the Thai lady that joined the bus ignored you and wanted a bit of an Iranian. Are you a bit jealous, that your baht bus hunt for a drunken woman failed last night. Then you thought lets go to my secret place TV.

You could be sat there with a Tshirt half swastika, half Star of David. They wouldn't give a monkeys.

We all have 2 legs, 2 arms, 2 eyes etc.. We're all human at the end of the day.

If it bothers you so much walk home next time, then you can save your 10 baht, be careful though I have heard they are going to start charging 20 baht soon and the pork sticks on the market are going up another 2 baht. Oh dear

[rijb]

I'll bet they were both interested in the nuclear energy seminars...

[Tywais]

I'll bet they were both interested in the nuclear energy seminars...

Yeah, that was the ironic part.

[Loptr]

You did the right thing JT. No knowing what their demeanor might have been with their drunken state had you let them know you are from the evil empire. I have no problem in certain settings letting anyone know where I'm from. I find that most regular citizens around the world all have the same common dreams and goals, it's the freaking governments that attempt to keep all of us at odds with each other. I usually agree with those that go off on the US because most of the time they have a valid point and I agree with them.

[watcharacters]

Try telling them your Jewish.

Took me a nearly a year before I told my Iraqi friend. I was pleasantly surprised by his reaction.

You just can't tell, sometimes it's best to be honest.

It took you a year to tell a friend? Okie Dokie.

Perhaps I should have announced to the drunken gang on the bus:

I'm a gay married Israeli IDF fighter pilot!

And obviously a racist.

I use baht buses most days and nights. Sitting on there with all sorts are nationals from different countries.

They are about as interested in you as you are in them.

Jinghting is it the fact the Thai lady that joined the bus ignored you and wanted a bit of an Iranian. Are you a bit jealous, that your baht bus hunt for a drunken woman failed last night. Then you thought lets go to my secret place TV.

You could be sat there with a Tshirt half swastika, half Star of David. They wouldn't give a monkeys.

We all have 2 legs, 2 arms, 2 eyes etc.. We're all human at the end of the day.

If it bothers you so much walk home next time, then you can save your 10 baht, be careful though I have heard they are going to start charging 20 baht soon and the pork sticks on the market are going up another 2 baht. Oh dear

.

I think JT pulled another on us. At least he keeps up both his post count while at the same time pulling some posters out of they're lethargy.

He's all right..

Edited May 31, 2013 by watcharacters