Will attitudes ever change ?

[CharlieH]

I have been here coming up 8 years, in the small village where I live I am known now as not being a tourist but a resident (although I do not have official residency) but everywhere else I go, and particularly the larger cities like Bangkok, it is assumed the moment they clap eyes on you that you must be a tourist, ripe for the picking.

You are to be charged whatever they can get away with, you dont need change and its a tip.

Everyone knows of the dual pricing in Thailand.

You are talked about as though you are not present.

If you are with the wife and need to go anywhere official, then usually they will totally ignore you, not even make eye contact.

If you make them aware you speak Thai, it makes little difference, they are just more careful about what is said or speak more quickly.

Smaller children often stand and stare, like we are "ET's" , who teaches them this ? I have seen kids literally run away crying and hiding like we eat them or something, where does that come from?

You probably have other examples you have seen or felt, my question is, do you think will this ever change?

For 8 years, other than my own ability to speak Thai, my own attitude change to one of being somewhat resigned to it now, although it still pi**es me off. I have seen no change in general attitude at all and cant see it ever will in my life time.

It all reminds me of the racial inaquality the black americans suffered back in the 50's/60's just substitue "ferang" where "ni**er" was used.

Whats your view? Can you see it changing in the future ?

Edited November 4, 2013 by CharlieH

[givenall]

Who cares. Don't worry be happy

[benalibina]

Somewhat resigned to it now ?

Fool yourself but not.........me, at least....

[soi41]

Having a bad morning CharlieH??

Cheer up, at least this tuk-tuk driver loves you.

[thailiketoo]

I felt like the OP when I first got to Thailand. Then I got a Thai dog. She loves and protects me. She risks her life for me almost daily. Last night a large black plastic flower pot fell off the wall; trying to kill me I'm sure. She jumped on the pot and with her strong teeth and front paws killed the pot and the flower in the pot. Plastic and flower were literally all over my yard. No danger from that pot anymore and she saved me again from a fate worth than death. Had she not been there today's headline might have been "Farang Maimed by Flying Flower Pot."

[trainman34014]

Go with the flow man ...and stop them negative vibes. To a lot of Thai's this is 'The World' and there isn't anything outside of it, so we are all Aliens from another Planet. Am I bovvered ? Nah; just open another beer.