I'm 57 and I have been fortunate to have arrived in LOS 32 years ago. I never left. After a few years of the girlie bars and good times, I met a lovely Thai woman and we have two kids currently at Uni.

Thailand has helped me to:

Be far more tolerant of others.

understand that the moment is everything.

Accept certain things.

Seeing the good in everything.

Enjoy whatever life I have, irrespective.

Please add

jeez, you pretty well covered it

Not yet living in Thailand, but what I have learnt is that I am highly priviledged in many regards, from education to job to money to health to travel opportunities... I have seen and learnt with how few (compared to me) people can be happy. ... I have learnt that I should be grateful for what I have been given and not complain, whine and moan about the many things that Thailand "offers" that are different from back home.

And that probably distinguishes me from a great load of TV posters that I see on here...

And it is absolutely refreshing to see your post, dear geronimo

Giving me a second life. If not for a thai doctor, i would not be around anymore.

My beautiful children.

Its gonna give back, future, my only love.

Witnessing unbelievable lack of empathy related to children.

Witnessing true ignorance and selfishness with no shame to hide it.

Beautiful and helpfull people.

Fun and freedom.

Many smiles.

Kindness.

Not accepting certain things.

My own fallibility.

Schadenfreude is taking joy in the misery of others; taking joy in what you think is or should be the misery of others is something I have only ever encountered on this website.

Schadenfreude is taking joy in the misery of others; taking joy in what you think is or should be the misery of others is something I have only ever encountered on this website.

Is this something you have learned in Thailand?

I'd be happy at the North Pole as long as I've got my Thai beside me, but heck the weather is a lot more pleasant here so it's a win win.

I have learned that if I don't finish my meal I can take it home in a plastic bag

Before I came, my brain said the Buddha got it right. In Thailand my guts caught up with my brain

Sent from my GT-S7500 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Schadenfreude is taking joy in the misery of others; taking joy in what you think is or should be the misery of others is something I have only ever encountered on this website.

Is this something you have learned in Thailand?

Yes -- only since being in Thailand have I encountered situations wherein someone might say "My wife loves me" and someone else replies: Your wife actually cringes at your very touch and will dump you as soon as she has made sufficient arrangements to enjoy your money without having to co-habit.

 

Schadenfreude is taking joy in the misery of others; taking joy in what you think is or should be the misery of others is something I have only ever encountered on this website.

Is this something you have learned in Thailand?

Yes -- only since being in Thailand have I encountered situations wherein someone might say "My wife loves me" and someone else replies: Your wife actually cringes at your very touch and will dump you as soon as she has made sufficient arrangements to enjoy your money without having to co-habit.

 

It seems there are a lot of negative expats here, be tolerant of them, they have far more problems than you.

Thanks -- last time I wasn't so tolerant and it got me suspended.

Came to realise that life is short and precious and easy to waste on unimportant and trivial pursuits. That to love and be loved is a treasure beyond wealth or any reward. That forgiveness is better than revenge, that mercy is often preferable to justice, that material wealth is illusory, that to be kind at every opportunity without expectation of any return is a gift we give too little. Came to realise many of these truths living here and I am sure there are many more to learn.

As to life being short as attributed to John Lennon among others: Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.

... of course if you haven't made at least some plans for the maybe 10,000+ remaining days of your life, life can really get to be a downer.

I have learned that if I don't finish my meal I can take it home in a plastic bag

Yeah without appearing to be some sort of pikey.

As to life being short as attributed to John Lennon among others: Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans.

... of course if you haven't made at least some plans for the maybe 10,000+ remaining days of your life, life can really get to be a downer.

unless youre a monk

In Thailand I found the happiness that I have never found before, A wife I love, respect, honor and cherish. Thailand has allowed me to restore my faith in humanity.

Also taught me how it feels to finally be accepted in life simply by being myself, How to do things in a different way, that the old way of doing things is not the only way.

But most of all taught me tolerance in others customs and way of life. Has taught me to enjoy the moment, and appreciate every moment left in a short life.

Cheers:

Things I've learned?

1) Keep your personal life to yourself. People over here outside my immediate Thai friends and family and a couple of westerners I've known since I got here know sweet F.A. about anything regarding my or my family's private or working life, either here or back in my hometown.

2) Some people are poor for a reason. As the rather crude saying goes, if shit was money their <deleted> would be sewn shut.

3) Always look for a PTT station if you've got the squirts. Those toilets on the front for the elderly, disabled and pregnant are perfect. Face be damned granny I'm touching cloth and coming through!

These might be specific to living in Bangkok:

You can be surrounded by a lot of people and still be alone.

There is no real safe way to cross a street. Sometimes a little luck is required.

If you want Thais to talk to you, go to Home Pro. Those sales people are like sharks.

Most street food is better than in the fancier restaurants. (cheaper too).

I can drive for 1 hour and only go 5 km (or less).

Walking around is still the best way to experience normal Thai living.

7-11 will give you a straw when you buy a 2 liter bottle of milk.

OP, is it living "in Thailand" that has taught you those things? Seems to me, those are things learned by "living".

Living in Thailand taught me that a cement mixer truck can travel at 150 KPH.

There is no real safe way to cross a street. Sometimes a little luck is required.

I always look if there's an old street dog taking a wander across the road and follow them. If they've lived that long they must know all the safest routes.

Things I've learned?

1) Keep your personal life to yourself. People over here outside my immediate Thai friends and family and a couple of westerners I've known since I got here know sweet F.A. about anything regarding my or my family's private or working life, either here or back in my hometown.

2) Some people are poor for a reason. As the rather crude saying goes, if shit was money their arsehol_e would be sewn shut.

3) Always look for a PTT station if you've got the squirts. Those toilets on the front for the elderly, disabled and pregnant are perfect. Face be damned granny I'm touching cloth and coming through!

My Thai wife still doesn't understand what I do for a living. She knows it's dangerous and wants me to stop. Probably more sensible than I am.

It's not all about money.

Things I've learned?

1) Keep your personal life to yourself. People over here outside my immediate Thai friends and family and a couple of westerners I've known since I got here know sweet F.A. about anything regarding my or my family's private or working life, either here or back in my hometown.

2) Some people are poor for a reason. As the rather crude saying goes, if shit was money their arsehol_e would be sewn shut.

3) Always look for a PTT station if you've got the squirts. Those toilets on the front for the elderly, disabled and pregnant are perfect. Face be damned granny I'm touching cloth and coming through!

My Thai wife still doesn't understand what I do for a living. She knows it's dangerous and wants me to stop. Probably more sensible than I am.

It's not all about money.

You're not the guy with the balloon between his legs at a Patpong dart show are you mate?

Really happy to hear about these great experiences. There are lots of things that frustrate the hell out of us non Thais but I think the number one thing that stands out is tolerance and happiness - These are two things you can get out of Thailand for sure. Some of my best memories are in Thailand and I only worked there for a year.

They have a lovely language, I love it so much and always read a bit before going to sleep at night, they also have an absolutely fantastic music scene, if you dont know about this you are really missing out - Bossa Nova, Jazz, Rock, Metal you name it and it is addictive. I have over 40 CD's and listen to them all the time (Including now).

Anyway, hope one day I can do the same as our friend Geronimo.

I have learned that having your drink in a plastic bag is great, right up to the point where you need to put it down somewhere.

That most westerners were "born on third base" but far too many of them think their birth LUCK was their own doing.

Many posts have indicated that tolerance has been a valued attribute of their tenure in this country.

Perhaps it may be prudent to consider that this very tolerance that they aspire too may well be the reason that this country suffers from the problems it has.

That Thais are some of the most naturally positive people on earth. They seem to wake up in the morning, with a determination that today is going to be a wonderful day. They then proceed to have fun, remain lighthearted, take their problems in stride, attempt to not cause problems for others, and have alot of fun. They appear to be anchored in the moment, and my guess is this is what allows them so much joy. In my country (US) people seem to be naturally somber, overly serious, without humor, combative, aggressive, without joy, and always living in the past or the future. Of course, all of these are gross generalizations, but I have seen it in countless Thais, whether they be taxi drivers, merchants, girls hanging out in the bars, etc, etc. The Thais are very impressive in this regard.

I've learned not to listen to begrudgers,

to reign in my own temper,(after seeing how explosive the temper beyond the smile can be),

that Western Culture is corrosive,

that there are diamonds in the rough,and some who look like diamonds,and have everything,but should be reborn as Soi Dogs,cause their souls are corrupt,

that life is full of unexpected little gifts,but can be taken away from you in a heartbeat(literally),

that when they want to be,Thai people can be incredibly hard working,

and personally from TV(and Forums in general) I've learned never to argue with an Idiot,as from a distance it just looks like two idiots arguing,that keyboard warriors will say things on here that they'd never say to your face,and an idiot will drag you down to their level and beat you with experience.

I agree with OP about becoming more tolerant of others, except when I see an angry westerner shouting and acting a dick in public. Then it's time to tell them to <deleted>.