The Farang Can Speak Thai Hee Hee

[Neeranam]

I had a New Years/House Warming Party and invited some neighbours for a BBQ and drinks.

The first neighbour walked in waiing me and asked my wife what my name was. I shouted, "ask me yourself". She said,"the farang can speak Thai hee hee". I said nothing much more to this one and put it down to ignorance. An hour later another couple came when I was trying to light the bbq and introduced themselves and waiied and then the guy laughed and said, "look a farang lighting a BBQ". This time I was pissed and said sternly, "I don't see anything funny about that".

Someone also commented on the fact that I was eating something spicey.

I've never been to an Asian person's party(that I didn't know) in my country but imagine they would be pretty upset if I went in saying "the Asian can speak English etc" and laugh about it. Or "look the Asian/Thai is drinking whisky"

I suppose it's a case of Thailand being 50 years behind the rest of the world but I'm sure even then it would be rude to go to someones house for a party and laugh at them for speaking the local language.

Would you laugh about it or tell them to get the **** out your house?

[balo]

Maybe you just met the wrong uneducated Thais .

[chiang mai]

Issan Thai's?

[In Search of Space]

I work in, Silom office with 1,200 Thai staff most of whom have undergone university, many have studied in Europe, US and Australia, some have spent much of their lives in foreign schools - but all are astounded when they see me eating Thai food, can't believe that I don't eat sandwiches and hamburgers !

[beachproperty]

I am an American living in Thailand....my neighbor is an Englishman.

When I bought the property next to him ... I went by to introduce myself and say "Hi"........his FIRST words to me were "I hear your a man not to be Trusted"

So you see, rudeness spans the world ....and ignorance is not limited to Thai's

PS ...I haven't spoken to the ignorant rude Englishman since then (3 years)

[up-country_sinclair]

As mentioned above, some of your neighbors are unsophisticated. Try not to lose your patience with them, because you'll only make yourself look bad. But a well crafted piece of sarcasm at the right moment can feel very rewarding.

[10Yen]

I bet your BBQ's are a barrel of fun ..

[up-country_sinclair]

I am an American living in Thailand....my neighbor is an Englishman.

When I bought the property next to him ... I went by to introduce myself and say "Hi"........his FIRST words to me were "I hear your a man not to be Trusted"

Not attempting to hijack this thread, but there must be more to this story. What had he heard about you?

[Jasun]

She said,"the farang can speak Thai hee hee".

I hope that was all English.

[Mosha]

I am an American living in Thailand....my neighbor is an Englishman.

When I bought the property next to him ... I went by to introduce myself and say "Hi"........his FIRST words to me were "I hear your a man not to be Trusted"

Not attempting to hijack this thread, but there must be more to this story. What had he heard about you?

That is what he should have asked.

[villagefarang]

I have found that the Thai laugh is very much like the Thai smile, with more than one meaning. To feel offended or not, is really up to the individual.

[CharlieH]

Why are you surprised we are "ALIENS" , so they react and treat as such, everything is therefore "alien" to them !

[Neeranam]

She said,"the farang can speak Thai hee hee".

I hope that was all English.

No, she couldn't speak English

[beachproperty]

I am an American living in Thailand....my neighbor is an Englishman.

When I bought the property next to him ... I went by to introduce myself and say "Hi"........his FIRST words to me were "I hear your a man not to be Trusted"

Not attempting to hijack this thread, but there must be more to this story. What had he heard about you?

Yes there is....to make a long story short ....I used to live elsewhere in the neighborhood and there is another farang (Swiss) who thinks of himself as a big shot wheeler dealer....well ...I got the better of him once on a deal and he since bad mouthed me (not a problem though as he was a-hole and I didn't have to speak to him anymore either)

Point being is that the Englishman, who I used to just waive at, took the Swiss man's word...(didn't want to hear both sides of the story and THEN make a judgement)

if it were me .......I give people a chance and make my own judgement based on their interaction with me not hearsay from others.

[villagefarang]

I am an American living in Thailand....my neighbor is an Englishman.

When I bought the property next to him ... I went by to introduce myself and say "Hi"........his FIRST words to me were "I hear your a man not to be Trusted"

Not attempting to hijack this thread, but there must be more to this story. What had he heard about you?

Yes there is....to make a long story short ....I used to live elsewhere in the neighborhood and there is another farang (Swiss) who thinks of himself as a big shot wheeler dealer....well ...I got the better of him once on a deal and he since bad mouthed me (not a problem though as he was a-hole and I didn't have to speak to him anymore either)

Point being is that the Englishman, who I used to just waive at, took the Swiss man's word...(didn't want to hear both sides of the story and THEN make a judgement)

if it were me .......I give people a chance and make my own judgement based on their interaction with me not hearsay from others.

Unfortunately it seems to be human nature to be biased and judgmental. I have seen my fair share as well.

Edited January 1, 2014 by villagefarang

[Donnie Brasco]

Rules of conduct.

Learn to ignore their infantile exclusionary ritual.

Middle class Kikuyu in Nairobi are more inclusive and more soulful.

Never put yourself in their hands. Avoid it at all costs.

Don't allow yourself to believe for even one nano-second that the laws, ethics, mores, manners, etiquette or civility that you enjoy as a matter of course back in the Old Country will EVER be afforded to you here.

[Donnie Brasco]

I am an American living in Thailand....my neighbor is an Englishman.

When I bought the property next to him ... I went by to introduce myself and say "Hi"........his FIRST words to me were "I hear your a man not to be Trusted"

So you see, rudeness spans the world ....and ignorance is not limited to Thai's

PS ...I haven't spoken to the ignorant rude Englishman since then (3 years)

I suspect that your neighbour was attempting some of that ribald British humour we hear so much about.

THAT and/or some peckerwood, dooshbag Thai parochial warning his mates not to reveal themselves as idiots is, a large part of what passes for socializing here, I am afraid.

Unless one is keen on watching the footie with a yelling screaming pack of idiots, I'm afraid one must be quite selective in choosing one's homies. It's a fairly common warning among long term expats.

[Gsxrnz]

Thai is a language only spoken in one country (Laos being a minor exception). Thailand has had minimal exposure to foreign languages outside the tourist areas. Thais never see foreigners on TV speaking Thai. They never see programmes, news articles, or sports events from foreign sources spoken or narrated in Thai by foreigners.

There are very few (if any) 2nd generation foreigners in Thailand that were born here and speak Thai as a first language (and I don't mean Leuk Kruengs). I say this to compare to most western countries that have dozens of nationalities that are 2nd or 10th generation and English is their first language.

Thailand is therefore a very non-cosmopolitan (read: essentially closed to the West until the Vietnam war) type country and its people are naïve in the ways of the outside world with regard to interracial communications and customs.

I believe that the vast majority of Thais (the educated class excepted) would find it relatively inconceivable that a foreigner would therefore want to learn Thai, or even be capable of learning Thai.

Back home in NZ I find nothing unusual in seeing Chinese, Africans, Dutch, Thais speaking pure Kiwi English - they're Kiwis after all, and were born in New Zealand. But how many children are born and live in Thailand that are pure Dutch, African, New Zealand (or whatever race) descent? I suspect my right hand would have sufficient fingers to count them.

Now.....if I was being served by a Thai in Central Festival or the local Thai market, and he/she addressed me in 100% pure unadulterated Kiwi English, complete with slang and inflection, well, it would blow my socks off.

EG, If they said "Sorry sport, yus'll have to hang around here for a few secs till the boss shows up 'cos the sodding computers thrown a wobbly and I can't open the till. Anyway, see them Aussies get creamed at the Cakebox last night....?"

So in the case of the OP, it's probably largely understandable that his neighbours (who presumably are unworldly to a large extent) get a shock/surprise when a white foreigner speaks Thai. To them, it's almost like an African meeting Livingstone in the jungle and Livingstone spoke perfect Swahili or whatever - the African would be as shocked as hell.

I've come across it and my Thai is very limited. I'm guilty of telling some of them (the ones that are a little rude with it, not just surprised) that Thai is now being taught in all the European schools and in 10 years Thailand will be flooded with Europeans that speak Thai.......and they believe me, bless them.

[473geo]

Unbelievable, after all the crap we get on this forum from the poor little dears who are deeply offended when called Farang......

A Thai lady goes to the trouble of asking the name of a Farang, with, one might expect, the intention of using it......

What does she get, the farang suggesting she should have asked him and not his wife because he speaks Thai! Then when the lady comments that he speaks Thai, he takes offence! Could you not have joined the conversation by repeating your name enquiring the same from her!

No bloody wonder farangs have such a piss poor reputation! Do you not realise the starting point of a good party is to ensure people feel relaxed when they first arrive as they are usually a little nervous?

[Costas2008]

balo, on 01 Jan 2014 - 18:51, said:

Maybe you just met the wrong uneducated Thais .

Or, Maybe you need some valium to relax.

Life is short, my friend, enjoy it as much as you can.

Try to adjust to the "Mai Ben Rai" culture.

[1ma]

An hour later another couple came when I was trying to light the bbq and introduced themselves and waiied and then the guy laughed and said, "look a farang lighting a BBQ". This time I was pissed and said sternly, "I don't see anything funny about that".

I'm confused.

How can a farang speak Thai, but know so little about how to behave in Thailand.

Edited January 1, 2014 by 1ma

[krisb]

I woiuld have gotten drunk, stripped off naked and sang a mor lum in the backyard while it was raining. Now that would have left them dazed and confused.

[Neeranam]

Unbelievable, after all the crap we get on this forum from the poor little dears who are deeply offended when called Farang......

A Thai lady goes to the trouble of asking the name of a Farang, with, one might expect, the intention of using it......

What does she get, the farang suggesting she should have asked him and not his wife because he speaks Thai! Then when the lady comments that he speaks Thai, he takes offence! Could you not have joined the conversation by repeating your name enquiring the same from her!

No bloody wonder farangs have such a piss poor reputation! Do you not realise the starting point of a good party is to ensure people feel relaxed when they first arrive as they are usually a little nervous?

This woman certainly wasn't nervous, she was rude - she was acting as if I weren't there. Once she knew I could speak Thai, she continued talking about me and the other foreigners there.

[HardenedSoul]

Thai is a language only spoken in one country (Laos being a minor exception). Thailand has had minimal exposure to foreign languages outside the tourist areas. Thais never see foreigners on TV speaking Thai. They never see programmes, news articles, or sports events from foreign sources spoken or narrated in Thai by foreigners.

There are very few (if any) 2nd generation foreigners in Thailand that were born here and speak Thai as a first language (and I don't mean Leuk Kruengs). I say this to compare to most western countries that have dozens of nationalities that are 2nd or 10th generation and English is their first language.

Thailand is therefore a very non-cosmopolitan (read: essentially closed to the West until the Vietnam war) type country and its people are naïve in the ways of the outside world with regard to interracial communications and customs.

I believe that the vast majority of Thais (the educated class excepted) would find it relatively inconceivable that a foreigner would therefore want to learn Thai, or even be capable of learning Thai.

Back home in NZ I find nothing unusual in seeing Chinese, Africans, Dutch, Thais speaking pure Kiwi English - they're Kiwis after all, and were born in New Zealand. But how many children are born and live in Thailand that are pure Dutch, African, New Zealand (or whatever race) descent? I suspect my right hand would have sufficient fingers to count them.

Now.....if I was being served by a Thai in Central Festival or the local Thai market, and he/she addressed me in 100% pure unadulterated Kiwi English, complete with slang and inflection, well, it would blow my socks off.

EG, If they said "Sorry sport, yus'll have to hang around here for a few secs till the boss shows up 'cos the sodding computers thrown a wobbly and I can't open the till. Anyway, see them Aussies get creamed at the Cakebox last night....?"

So in the case of the OP, it's probably largely understandable that his neighbours (who presumably are unworldly to a large extent) get a shock/surprise when a white foreigner speaks Thai. To them, it's almost like an African meeting Livingstone in the jungle and Livingstone spoke perfect Swahili or whatever - the African would be as shocked as hell.

I've come across it and my Thai is very limited. I'm guilty of telling some of them (the ones that are a little rude with it, not just surprised) that Thai is now being taught in all the European schools and in 10 years Thailand will be flooded with Europeans that speak Thai.......and they believe me, bless them.

Nice

[1ma]

On the other hand I was dragged into a Thai party 2 nights ago as I was walking past, knew no one there, I waiied, had a laugh, was very humble of myself, praised them, praised their food and drink, Thais as a people and Thailand as a country when asked. All very happy and simple. Treat them like a little five year old that has drawn a picture and wants to praised about it.

So in reply to:

Would you laugh about it or tell them to get the **** out your house?

I would have laughed and said my Thai language skills are so bad. Their English skills are so good. And would they like some crayons and paper while I eat and drink.

[edwardandtubs]

I am an American living in Thailand....my neighbor is an Englishman.

When I bought the property next to him ... I went by to introduce myself and say "Hi"........his FIRST words to me were "I hear your a man not to be Trusted"

So you see, rudeness spans the world ....and ignorance is not limited to Thai's

PS ...I haven't spoken to the ignorant rude Englishman since then (3 years)

Sounds like the kind of thing I would say as a joke, along the lines "Who's this disreputable fellow walking along the street?". You're the ignorant one if you're offended by that.

[Neeranam]

balo, on 01 Jan 2014 - 18:51, said:

Maybe you just met the wrong uneducated Thais .

Or, Maybe you need some valium to relax.

Life is short, my friend, enjoy it as much as you can.

Try to adjust to the "Mai Ben Rai" culture.

I was on day 3 of quitting smoking - valium would have helped but been down that road before.

If someone disrespects me in my own home, I can't say "mai pen rai".

[Gsxrnz]

Neeranam - you have to accept that we English speakers enjoy the luxury of having the international language. We find it normal for foreigners of all races to speak English. You and I would not be in the least surprised to hear an Eskimo (I know that's now a politically incorrect term now, but I'm old school), speak English.

But I'd suggest to you that we would both be a little surprised to hear an Eskimo speak Thai. A Thai would be no more shocked at hearing an Eskimo speak Thai as hearing you speak Thai. Probably less so, because an Eskimo does look slightly Asian.

And compare the reaction that the French give to the English if an Englishman speaks French? I think we as native English speakers have a very unique conception of others speaking our language and find it difficult to comprehend surprise in other nationalities when their (obscure/unique/single country) language is spoken by a European.

Note: Absolutely no racial slurs are implied in the above.

Edited January 1, 2014 by Gsxrnz

[krisb]

Maybe you just met the wrong uneducated Thais .

Yep must have been you genius. Buffalo footprints left in the butter are a dead give away.

Cheap digs at those who can't afford an education are pathetic. Lower than a snakes belly.

[Neeranam]

Neeranam - you have to accept that we English speakers enjoy the luxury of having the international language. We find it normal for foreigners of all races to speak English. You and I would not be in the least surprised to hear an Eskimo (I know that's now a politically incorrect term now, but I'm old school), speak English.

But I'd suggest to you that we would both be a little surprised to hear an Eskimo speak Thai. A Thai would be no more shocked at hearing an Eskimo speak Thai as hearing you speak Thai. Probably less so, because an Eskimo does look slightly Asian.

Note: Absolutely no racial slurs are implied in the above.

Yes, I agree with your observations. I do understand WHY this happens. The main question is what do we do when it happens. Smile and say nothing?