Are you a more 'chilled' person In Thailand? If you are, why?

[Pilotman]

I tend to have a quickish temper with people and sitiations where I feel that I am being badly served or badly treated, its a real topic of conversation in my family. I also suffer from the age old problem of shouting and muttering to myself while driving, when I meet other drivers who are acting like idiots. Lots of us are like that I know. However, the strange thing is that in Thailand, where I have been a visitor and sometime short term resident for many years, I seem to calm down and accept many things that I would nenver dream of accepting in the UK, without a murmer and with more of a smile of resignation, than a burst of temper. Of course, I am well aware that prompting a confrontation in LOS is not a good idea at any time and maybe I have just taken that advice to heart, but it feels much more than that, almost like a personality change It doesn't seem to happen when I am on holiday in other places, so why in Thailand I wonder?

Has anyone else experienced this type of change of personality and is it lilkley to continue when I move to Thailand permanently? I would like to think so.?

[kblaze]

For some, it is easier to relax here because you are not being confronted with constant responsibility. You have a driver (taxi, bts, etc) take care of your transport. Your bills are minimal and there isn't an overwhelming stress to pay on time as the credit system here isn't like west. You aren't really "in control" due to language/cultural barriers, so you have no choice but to let go, and just see what happens. You can't beat yourself up about mistakes, because foreigners are expected to make them, whereas in your home country it is expected that you won't. There is also the fact that the country is very "feminine" with a focus on everything being "cutesy", so things have a more lighthearted nature vs. the aggressive masculinity of western countries.

However, my personal experience is that living here full time, you are likely to become more pessimistic as the day to day inefficiencies and "<deleted>" moments start to really affect your life. It becomes a bit of struggle to keep the rosy glasses on as the years go by and the underbelly of Thai society rears its ugly head. When it does though, there are plenty of places to go visit and things to do that will restore your positive feeling towards Thailand, but it does become more difficult.

[Soutpeel]

I am certainly more "chilled" but not sure if its becasue of living in Thailand or the fact I am getting older, and the things that used to set me off...dont bother me anymore.

although I will agree the longer you live here the more cynical/jaded you become..

[ABCer]

I tend to agree more with Soutpeel. As we grow older small problems of the outside world move to the background.

The all-important inevitability ahead helps the 'doesn't matter' attitude.

But a match is a match - and I still flare-up when stricken. I wouldn't call it 'chilled' but rather older.

[transam]

I am more chilled here until l am upset by nonsensical stuff comes along that never need come along.

[HeijoshinCool]

I always keep cool, anywhere I am. But I will concede that of late, Rhek Thum is testing that.

But so did Arkansas, when I drove through it a number of years ago.

[trainman34014]

For some, it is easier to relax here because you are not being confronted with constant responsibility. You have a driver (taxi, bts, etc) take care of your transport. Your bills are minimal and there isn't an overwhelming stress to pay on time as the credit system here isn't like west. You aren't really "in control" due to language/cultural barriers, so you have no choice but to let go, and just see what happens. You can't beat yourself up about mistakes, because foreigners are expected to make them, whereas in your home country it is expected that you won't. There is also the fact that the country is very "feminine" with a focus on everything being "cutesy", so things have a more lighthearted nature vs. the aggressive masculinity of western countries.

However, my personal experience is that living here full time, you are likely to become more pessimistic as the day to day inefficiencies and "<deleted>" moments start to really affect your life. It becomes a bit of struggle to keep the rosy glasses on as the years go by and the underbelly of Thai society rears its ugly head. When it does though, there are plenty of places to go visit and things to do that will restore your positive feeling towards Thailand, but it does become more difficult.

Spot on !

[NoshowJones]

I am a lot more chilled here in Thailand than when I was in Scotland, simply because of the Thai mentality of around six Thais to one Farang.

[AnotherOneAmerican]

Just the opposite,

I'm ready to pull my piece at the slightest problem, shoot them in the head, and then do a little victory dance as I walk away.

Same as the locals.

[somtampet]

I am certainly more "chilled" but not sure if its becasue of living in Thailand or the fact I am getting older, and the things that used to set me off...dont bother me anymore.

although I will agree the longer you live here the more cynical/jaded you become..

I havew been here 10 years and i get more chilled and less cynical,strange aint it.

[transam]

Just the opposite,

I'm ready to pull my piece at the slightest problem, shoot them in the head, and then do a little victory dance as I walk away.

Same as the locals.

Blimey, another post l agree with today. If one has been ''stuffed'' by a loved one in one's past life THEN one can now deal with any crap.

[NCC1701A]

I like the rain...

[HardenedSoul]

Definitely more relaxed here.

Back in Blighty, the nanny state with its CCTV eyes is everywhere. There's always some individual or organisation around every corner just waiting to fine or penalize you for some bullshit like overstaying a minute on a parking bay, or for buying the wrong ticket on the tube or for having to send you a letter about an overdraft or a cocked up payment.

Yes, of course I realise that some people get overcharged by mototaxis etc in Thailand but at least that's opportunistic and you can avoid it if you're so inclined.

In Blighty, the whole system's actually DESIGNED to separate you from your money and it's all freakin' LEGAL!!

Grrr. . . I'm getting angry just thinking about it

[The Deerhunter]

Wife is in LOS right now modifying house to falang ways so we can both move here in 3 -4 months. I sure hope you are right. I could defintely do with a lengthening of the fuse. I hope to knock off the antidepressants slowly after a few months.

[i claudius]

I think the only thing that gets to me here is the stupidity ,especially of the drivers ,but as was said before there is no bullshit like in the UK ,jobsworths around every corner ,but as i get older i find i am far more cynical ,

[Huayrat]

Driving on the roads here gets me angry everyday.. So the answer is no I'm worse

[GuestHouse]

I try to remember that getting irate in Thailand could very easily result in getting shot.

So.... yeh I chill and there's the reason why.

[NoshowJones]

I think the only thing that gets to me here is the stupidity ,especially of the drivers ,but as was said before there is no bullshit like in the UK ,jobsworths around every corner ,but as i get older i find i am far more cynical ,

I agree with every word you say.

[GirlDrinkDrunk]

i find if i am happy, im happy anywhere.

While visiting th LOS may b a panacea for a week, it will not solve any significant issues in the long run

[giggles]

i would say guys are more uptight as they have more hidden worries about the local women ,traffic jams ,money .etc

[Thaevid]

I get even more pissed off on Thailand they can't drive try and rip us off when they can everything's changing for the worse day by day . never use to be like that 10 yrs ago .. Go out few beers have a laugh then

[breadbin]

I agree with the op. in UK its a stressful place, shitty service, work, expenses etc.

When I'm in Thai I change, laid back, easy going, no stress.

Lived in Thai and holidayed.

Work for myself now as had a stressful job for 10 years which I hated, less stressed, less worry. Better life.

[WhingeingMoaners]

Judging by what I have read on this forum, I doubt that Farangs are more chilled in Thailand. The opposite is true, many are irascible and become unreasonably vexed with little provocation.

[Tafia]

One of the advantages of being retired, never in a hurry to go anywhere or do anything makes well for a stress free existence, Been here 5 yrs now and totally chilled.

[MrWorldwide]

Some interesting responses from certain regulars, several of whom come across on this forum as being extremely cranky old buggers

I wouldn't say 'chilled' personally - more careful about treading on the wrong set of toes, but that applies across the region. Conversely, I'm usually less wary of others than I am in Sydney and Melbourne, the exception being ATMs and any time I have to take my wallet out. Still much happier to wander around LOS at 3am than any Australian city.

[Dancealot]

I like the OP, it feels honest and true.

Living in Thailand allows me to be able to look at stressful situations in a more relaxed way.

Edited September 5, 2013 by Dancealot

[rene123]

I don't know if it is my red hair and Scottish-French back ground or not, but I was always a hothead and quick to temper. But, with the help of an older mentor, who taught me that boors are not worth spending energy on, I've gotten much better. He taught me to just laugh at the boors and idiots because it is their problem and not mine. I seem to have changed completely and very little bothers me anymore.

[InsideOut]

I always try to chill out. In all situations, at all times. No matter where I am in the world.

One thing I have to say though is, there is nothing more embarrassing than seeing a foreigner shouting and screaming at a Thai for bad service or similar nonsense.

Edited September 6, 2013 by InsideOut

[giggles]

judging by the numbers of balcony jumpers theyre far from being chilled ,exactly the opposite

[MrWorldwide]

judging by the numbers of balcony jumpers theyre far from being chilled ,exactly the opposite

Do you have an actual figure for said 'numbers' ? One a month usually doesn't represent a trend, but I'm not a statistician.