Labour Government’s Bold Claim to “honesty with voters” Has Unraveled Quickly

[MantisMan]

If you think being addressed as "FRENCH" is bad, try living with people pointing, giggling and calling you "GAIJIN" literally meaning "non-Japanese who has no hell of a chance of understanding Japanese people nor it's things Japanese OUTSIDER" for 17 years.

On top of that, throw in "GWEILO" meaning Ghost by educated English speaking Hong Kongers for another 9 years.

I'd rather be called FRENCH the an outsider or White Devil anytime.

[Jingthing]

It doesn't really mean French but if that comforts some people to think so ... whatever ...

[thailiketoo]

It doesn't really mean French but if that comforts some people to think so ... whatever ...

Is that French pronounced with an r or l sound?

[mancub]

Like all things, it's all depends on whether said with or without intent to offend , and the correct interpretation of such .

One poster objects to the word septic ( Cockney rhyming slang - septic tank = Yank ).

Well, rhyming slang is light-hearted and not intentionally offensive. However, not being aware of this ,it would naturally cause offence to be taken.

If I came from the USA , I would rather be addressed as a "septic" ,by someone with a grin on their face , than as an " American " by someone with a sneer on their face.

The word itself is not offensive, the tone can be .

Hearing small children call out "falang" after you is certainly more endearing than hearing it from the motorcycle boys !

Immigration offices the world over have it nailed ...we should all just be called " alien " .

[Kilgore Trout]

width=32 alt=cheesy.gif pagespeed_url_hash=3951237149> I can just imagine how the Thais would react in the US if Americans used the word "Chinaman" toward Thais in the way and with the frequency that Thais use "falang" in Thailand.

In addition; you would be berated and have respect lost by most other Americans who heard.

Most people in the US I know bend over backwards to treat foreigners just like everyone else and to make sure they feel comfortable.

Apples and pears and you know it

I might be able to empathize with you wretched victims of racial abuse if ALL of you could actually agree that the word "farang" is offensive but you can't even do that, can you?

Honestly, if white people feel so bloody aggrieved by the word "farang", then start telling Thais - vocally and to their faces - to stop using it. Why not start banging the lights out of every Thai who persists in using it within earshot after being warned?

I mean, I know what I would do if every local in this country called me a nigger - a genuinely derogatory racial slur - I'd be on a plane out in seconds, bro.

<deleted> are you whinging saps still doing in Thailand if you're being so cruelly abused by the locals?

That's a serious question; let's have some answers

I don't think you are understanding my point. Let me clarify

First off, it doesn't bother me that much; I have learned to live with it. What bothers me are people like you who defend the use of the word as socially acceptable.

What Thais do and talk about amongst themselves is their own business, I could care less if they call me a falang till the cows come home

However, when purposely catering to tourists and westerners; talking about "falang" like they are objects is offensive. If you are going to advertise your business as an international standard then you need to have staff who speak and behave in an INTERNATIONALLY appropriate way, not like the people you are serving and taking money from are aliens from a distant planet.

Thailand CLEARLY wants to be looked at well by the world's eyes and be a top notch INTERNATIONAL destination. They should act like it. Classifying and referring to people by their race in front of their face is just not OK. Not in Thailand, not anywhere.

Hope you see the difference.

[thailiketoo]

Like all things, it's all depends on whether said with or without intent to offend , and the correct interpretation of such .

One poster objects to the word septic ( Cockney rhyming slang - septic tank = Yank ).

Well, rhyming slang is light-hearted and not intentionally offensive. However, not being aware of this ,it would naturally cause offence to be taken.

If I came from the USA , I would rather be addressed as a "septic" ,by someone with a grin on their face , than as an " American " by someone with a sneer on their face.

The word itself is not offensive, the tone can be .

Hearing small children call out "falang" after you is certainly more endearing than hearing it from the motorcycle boys !

Immigration offices the world over have it nailed ...we should all just be called " alien " .

So I take it that it is motivation rather than a specific word that causes offense? Septic Tank is OK because of the Australian sense of humor. Correct?

Remember the idea here is to explain what I said rather than launch an attack against me or America.

Edited January 21, 2014 by thailiketoo

[holeyman1]

To my thai friends, farang is actually a term of endearment...!

No local man will marry a local woman knowing full well she has children in tow and still pay sinsod.

Thai men love us farangs cos they know we love a good deal when we see one.

* think buy one get one free, buy one get two free etc*

Farangs take care of the children I fathered ha ha ha

Best regards

keyboard warrior

[transam]

To my thai friends, farang is actually a term of endearment...! No local man will marry a local woman knowing full well she has children in tow and still pay sinsod. Thai men love us farangs cos they know we love a good deal when we see one. * think buy one get one free, buy one get two free etc* Farangs take care of the children I fathered ha ha ha Best regards keyboard warrior

[mancub]

Like all things, it's all depends on whether said with or without intent to offend , and the correct interpretation of such .

One poster objects to the word septic ( Cockney rhyming slang - septic tank = Yank ).

Well, rhyming slang is light-hearted and not intentionally offensive. However, not being aware of this ,it would naturally cause offence to be taken.

If I came from the USA , I would rather be addressed as a "septic" ,by someone with a grin on their face , than as an " American " by someone with a sneer on their face.

The word itself is not offensive, the tone can be .

Hearing small children call out "falang" after you is certainly more endearing than hearing it from the motorcycle boys !

Immigration offices the world over have it nailed ...we should all just be called " alien " .

So I take it that it is motivation rather than a specific word that causes offense? Septic Tank is OK because of the Australian sense of humor. Correct?

Remember the idea here is to explain what I said rather than launch an attack against me or America.

You have just illustrated my point perfectly . Remember it is all in the interpretation , If, your sensibilities are so easily hurt that you believe I am about to invade America , then you should easily comprehend why some folk believe that the word "farang" can be used in a disdainful manner.

Further explanation for you, as requested;Cockney -originating from London ,England, not Wollongong NSW .

[HardenedSoul]

I don't think you are understanding my point. Let me clarify

First off, it doesn't bother me that much; I have learned to live with it. What bothers me are people like you who defend the use of the word as socially acceptable.

What Thais do and talk about amongst themselves is their own business, I could care less if they call me a falang till the cows come home

However, when purposely catering to tourists and westerners; talking about "falang" like they are objects is offensive. If you are going to advertise your business as an international standard then you need to have staff who speak and behave in an INTERNATIONALLY appropriate way, not like the people you are serving and taking money from are aliens from a distant planet.

Thailand CLEARLY wants to be looked at well by the world's eyes and be a top notch INTERNATIONAL destination. They should act like it. Classifying and referring to people by their race in front of their face is just not OK. Not in Thailand, not anywhere.

Hope you see the difference.

Like I said, if people are so offended, they really ought to leave.

Oh sorry, that's right . . . most white people aren't offended.

Something of an inconvenient truth for your argument, isn't it?

Edited January 21, 2014 by HardenedSoul

[thailiketoo]

Like all things, it's all depends on whether said with or without intent to offend , and the correct interpretation of such .

One poster objects to the word septic ( Cockney rhyming slang - septic tank = Yank ).

Well, rhyming slang is light-hearted and not intentionally offensive. However, not being aware of this ,it would naturally cause offence to be taken.

If I came from the USA , I would rather be addressed as a "septic" ,by someone with a grin on their face , than as an " American " by someone with a sneer on their face.

The word itself is not offensive, the tone can be .

Hearing small children call out "falang" after you is certainly more endearing than hearing it from the motorcycle boys !

Immigration offices the world over have it nailed ...we should all just be called " alien " .

So I take it that it is motivation rather than a specific word that causes offense? Septic Tank is OK because of the Australian sense of humor. Correct?

Remember the idea here is to explain what I said rather than launch an attack against me or America.

You have just illustrated my point perfectly . Remember it is all in the interpretation , If, your sensibilities are so easily hurt that you believe I am about to invade America , then you should easily comprehend why some folk believe that the word "farang" can be used in a disdainful manner.

Further explanation for you, as requested;Cockney -originating from London ,England, not Wollongong NSW .

Thank you for replying. We are getting close. You wrote, "it is all in the interpretation."

So I (white guy) see a group of black Americans. With a smile on my face I say, "How you N****** doing tonight?" Remember it is all in the interpretation as they beat me silly and the judge throws me in jail.

My point? It does not make a difference how funny you Aussies think you are. You can't call a black American a n*****. I don't care if the word rhymes with digger if you get my meaning.

And it's about time someone told you the same about Septic Tank. You think it's funny. Me and the N****** don't.

Edited January 21, 2014 by thailiketoo

[HardenedSoul]

But Septic tank isn't a racist term. It denotes country of origin, not race. You can have black septics, white septics . . . you see where I'm going with this?

N***** is universally known as a derogatory word for black people. I saw many a white guy carved up like a roast for using it back in the day because 100% of black people are offended by it

F***** is a word use to identify white people in a little country in the arse end of Asia. I've never seen a Thai laid out after using it here in their own country because only about 1,000 grumpy old white men on Thaivisa forums are offended by it and complain simply because they're not happy unless they're doing so.

Edited January 21, 2014 by HardenedSoul

[wym]

I don't think you are understanding my point. Let me clarify

First off, it doesn't bother me that much; I have learned to live with it. What bothers me are people like you who defend the use of the word as socially acceptable.

What Thais do and talk about amongst themselves is their own business, I could care less if they call me a falang till the cows come home

However, when purposely catering to tourists and westerners; talking about "falang" like they are objects is offensive. If you are going to advertise your business as an international standard then you need to have staff who speak and behave in an INTERNATIONALLY appropriate way, not like the people you are serving and taking money from are aliens from a distant planet.

Thailand CLEARLY wants to be looked at well by the world's eyes and be a top notch INTERNATIONAL destination. They should act like it. Classifying and referring to people by their race in front of their face is just not OK. Not in Thailand, not anywhere.

Hope you see the difference.

Says you. Thais think differently. This is their place. They don't mean any harm by it, you personally don't get offended by it, so you're just giving them some free consulting advice about how to run their country, culture, language because some PC idiot foreigner choose to take offense?

It IS socially acceptable, this is their society and they get to make the rules.

The fact that "international standards" are getting shoved down each individual country's throat is IMO a huge problem in the world, much more so than this picayune BS.

It's the DIFFERENCES in the world that make life interesting, between the sexes, between races and cultures, between each-unique individual. Treasure them rather than trying to wipe them out and you'll enjoy your time on this spec of dust we call home a little more.

[FiftyTwo]

But Septic tank isn't a racist term. It denotes country of origin, not race. You can have black septics, white septics . . . you see where I'm going with this?

N***** is universally known as a derogatory word for black people. I saw many a white guy carved up like a roast for using it back in the day because 100% of black people are offended by it

F***** is a word use to identify white people in a little country in the arse end of Asia. I've never seen a Thai laid out after using it here in their own country because only about 1,000 grumpy old white men on Thaivisa forums are offended by it and complain simply because they're not happy unless they're doing so.

White people rarely get so upset by racism, as black people.

Mainly because we are rarely on the receiving end.

Doesn't mean we have to be happy with it though.

[thailiketoo]

But Septic tank isn't a racist term. It denotes country of origin, not race. You can have black septics, white septics . . . you see where I'm going with this?

N***** is universally known as a derogatory word for black people. I saw many a white guy carved up like a roast for using it back in the day because 100% of black people are offended by it

F***** is a word use to identify white people in a little country in the arse end of Asia. I've never seen a Thai laid out after using it here in their own country because only about 1,000 grumpy old white men on Thaivisa forums are offended by it and complain simply because they're not happy unless they're doing so.

Thank you that was my point. Farang isin't a racist term. Farang is a word used to describe Europeans in Thailand and not racially motivated. The only people who are offended by it are about 1000 grumpy old white men on Thaivisa who are not happy unless they are complaining. Thai Visa has the definition of the word correct as do the majority of the posters.

Farang is basically a neutral word,

http://www.thaivisa.com/558-0.html

PS to all of my Aussie friends, I am neither offended by septic tank or farang. If I had to rank a word that had the potential for being offensive it would be septic tank #1 and farang #2. I know what a septic tank is. Farang is just a group of letters with no meaning beyond Thailand.

Edited January 21, 2014 by thailiketoo

[HardenedSoul]

But Septic tank isn't a racist term. It denotes country of origin, not race. You can have black septics, white septics . . . you see where I'm going with this?

N***** is universally known as a derogatory word for black people. I saw many a white guy carved up like a roast for using it back in the day because 100% of black people are offended by it

F***** is a word use to identify white people in a little country in the arse end of Asia. I've never seen a Thai laid out after using it here in their own country because only about 1,000 grumpy old white men on Thaivisa forums are offended by it and complain simply because they're not happy unless they're doing so.

White people rarely get so upset by racism, as black people.

Mainly because we are rarely on the receiving end.

Doesn't mean we have to be happy with it though.

Yeah I get it, Fifty but what I'm saying is if a white person IS on the receiving end of it and is so mortally wounded when they hear it, shouldn't he or she get their arse down to Swampy and on a plane out sharpish??

I could understand if the use of the word was accompanied by a denial of service in a bar, a punch in the face, a blade across the cheek, a globule of phlegm in one's pad thai or being chased down the street by an angry mob of Thai grand wizards but it isn't it?

[thailiketoo]

Who should decide? Septic Tank and Farang? If the Aussies decide if Septic Tank is offensive then the Thais should decide if Farang is offensive eh? I'll go with that determination.

Or are the Aussies better able to determine meanings of particularly Australian words than Thais are able to determine the meanings of particularly Thai words?

Edited January 21, 2014 by thailiketoo

[Jingthing]

Suggesting there is any equivalence of the word being discussed here and septic is absurd. As a septic on my one time visit to Australia the word was never used in my earshot even once. In Thailand you can't spit without hearing the word often used directly to or about Pegot individuals.

Case closed.

Edited January 21, 2014 by Jingthing

[ABCer]

I do not mind.

I refer to myself as 'farang'.

It confirms that I am 'different' and a 'foreigner' which I am and proud of it. It all depends on individual's self-esteem.

I happen to be glad being a farang in Thailand.

[wym]

And how many people do you know that don't mind being referred to as "prostitute" whether directly to their face or to others?

I chose an extreme example specifically to make my point. In fact I have had very open and honest discussions about the sex trade with hundreds of sex workers, and none have had any problem with calling a spade a spade, most likely because they realise I respect their choices and don't put a moral judgement on them.

Those girls who are financially motivated but not explicit sex workers would of course get upset, because Thais don't consider gold diggers to be prostitutes, in that case the actual meaning of the word is up for dispute.

In this case farang has a totally clear meaning - which unfortunately many people coming here often don't understand. So job one is to clear up that misunderstanding.

Next is to point out that to the extent there actually IS any derogatory meaning in a given context, it's very rare and coming from the fact that the speaker doesn't like farang for whatever reason, not anything inherent in the word from a linguistic POV - unlike the N-word for example.

The final issue, which you have outlined so clearly, is that some people think it's just not appropriate to use racial classifiers in public.

My response to that is "I don't agree" and obviously neither do the Thais, and trying to impose your view of morality and PC on others by trying to change the language they use is wrong and idiotic.

I can just imagine how the Thais would react in the US if Americans used the word "Chinaman" toward Thais in the way and with the frequency that Thais use "falang" in Thailand.

In addition; you would be berated and have respect lost by most other Americans who heard.

Most people in the US I know bend over backwards to treat foreigners just like everyone else and to make sure they feel comfortable.

Then you associate with a pretty refined and considerate subset of Americans. My experience is very different, especially toward other races and religions.

I know Muslim families that have been here for many decades, and they certainly aren't being treated well since 9-11.

And your example of a phrase being insulting because it is inaccurate has nothing to do with Thais using farang accurately. Substitute Asian and your point goes away.

And how do you think a group of people....let's say a Thai, a black American, and a hispanic would react if when lining up to order food, one server said to another (in front of said group) "you serve the black, I'll get the hispanic and the Asian"?

Something tells me they would not be too amused, but perhaps where you are from is different.

Yes, but you're talking about America. This is Thailand. Things are different here. By not accepting that fact you are IMO being far ruder than any Thai innocently being what you call "racist".

Thais eat bugs, spiders, larvae, snakes sometimes dogs. Thais in business where prices aren't marked try to extract the best price, taking advantage of the buyer's ignorance. Thais ask for a dowry if you want to marry their daughter. Thais are not bothered by, and often enjoy very loud noise and don't care if it affects the neighbors. Thais pick their nose in public. Thais are rabidly nationalistic and stick up for each other against outsiders without caring about who is "right". Thais are very classist and yes it is true somewhat racist.

So what? This is their country, they have the right to act as they like, visitors should just accept these differences and thank god every place isn't the same as back home.

More to the point, using "farang" as a vocabulary word to refer to caucasians isn't in itself racist at all. Sometimes it is used in a way that is meant to be offensive, but just recognizing the fact that we are bizarre aliens isn't.

They call me fat and old to my face, these are objectively true, and if not meant to be derogatory - which I know enough to spot the difference then I have learned to not take offense.

Taking offense is much worse than giving it, no one can give it unless you choose to take it.

[thailiketoo]

Suggesting there is any equivalence of the word being discussed here and septic is absurd. As a septic on my one time visit to Australia the word was never used in my earshot even once. In Thailand you can't spit without hearing the word often used directly to or about Pegot individuals.

Case closed.

Case closed? A bit pompous aren't we? It has nothing to do with your trip to Australia. You read it (septic tank) on Thai Visa daily.

So there.

PS the spit thing has to be one of the funniest things you have ever written.

Edited January 21, 2014 by thailiketoo

[Jingthing]

I do not mind.

I refer to myself as 'farang'.

It confirms that I am 'different' and a 'foreigner' which I am and proud of it. It all depends on individual's self-esteem.

I happen to be glad being a farang in Thailand.

That's interesting to me.

It sounds like you have adopted ethnic pride in your pan-European (white) ethnicity as simplistically defined by Thai culture.

I could never feel that way. Not in 1000 years.

I do have pride in my own ACTUAL ethnic identity, something 99.99 percent of Thais wouldn't have the first clue about or even curiosity.

Their word doesn't cover it by a long shot, I don't relate to it as having anything to do with me personally, so yes I do not like it.

However, I accept its usage here as one of the negative aspects of life in Thailand. Not the same as liking it and internalizing/adopting it. I also accept the existence of occasionally rabid soi dogs.

It might be different if I had aspirations to become a Thai and endeavored to THINK like a Thai (which is well known to be quite a schizophrenic endeavor for westerners).

Edited January 21, 2014 by Jingthing

[RichBKK]

Not bothered. It's a novelty thing in some ways. Out of the cities anyway. In the cities no one pays much attention. Apart from cute babies that is, much more attention paid than back home where children are tolerated (barely) rather than admired

Society here isn't too PC as anyone would know when watching TV and some things do seem a bit overblown whence comes to nationalism but can't say anyone has been too prejudiced to me. Though I am still young and don't have any tattoos

Different but as its mostly friendly and relaxed can't say any of the slightly strange things and odd remark is meant in a hostile fashion. More curiosity than anything malicious I think

[Saan]

Like all things, it's all depends on whether said with or without intent to offend , and the correct interpretation of such .

One poster objects to the word septic ( Cockney rhyming slang - septic tank = Yank ).

Well, rhyming slang is light-hearted and not intentionally offensive. However, not being aware of this ,it would naturally cause offence to be taken.

If I came from the USA , I would rather be addressed as a "septic" ,by someone with a grin on their face , than as an " American " by someone with a sneer on their face.

The word itself is not offensive, the tone can be .

Hearing small children call out "falang" after you is certainly more endearing than hearing it from the motorcycle boys !

Immigration offices the world over have it nailed ...we should all just be called " alien " .

I would be really offended if I was called an alien but E.T. would be OK.

In Australia in the 40's, 50's and probably into the early 60's people from Europe were referred to as refos, short for refugees. But we have moved ahead, become politically correct, and now the predominantly Muslin 'refors' are called illegal immigrants. But that is altogether another story.

[drx13]

Means nothing to me "A rose is just as sweet by any other name"

[Kilgore Trout]

I don't think you are understanding my point. Let me clarify

First off, it doesn't bother me that much; I have learned to live with it. What bothers me are people like you who defend the use of the word as socially acceptable.

What Thais do and talk about amongst themselves is their own business, I could care less if they call me a falang till the cows come home

However, when purposely catering to tourists and westerners; talking about "falang" like they are objects is offensive. If you are going to advertise your business as an international standard then you need to have staff who speak and behave in an INTERNATIONALLY appropriate way, not like the people you are serving and taking money from are aliens from a distant planet.

Thailand CLEARLY wants to be looked at well by the world's eyes and be a top notch INTERNATIONAL destination. They should act like it. Classifying and referring to people by their race in front of their face is just not OK. Not in Thailand, not anywhere.

Hope you see the difference.

Like I said, if people are so offended, they really ought to leave.

Oh sorry, that's right . . . most white people aren't offended.

Something of an inconvenient truth for your argument, isn't it?

The reason "most" white people are not offended is because they don't possess the language skills to know enough about what is being said.

If they did, they most certainly would be offended in many situations.

My life, job and family are here; I'm not going anywhere.

Would you tell immigrants in the US during the Bush administration that if they didn't like his policies they should leave? Is that the kind of person you are?

I have the right to express my opinion, and I have the right to be offended by things without having to leave.

You are quite the fascist, aren't you?

[Kilgore Trout]

And how many people do you know that don't mind being referred to as "prostitute" whether directly to their face or to others?

I chose an extreme example specifically to make my point. In fact I have had very open and honest discussions about the sex trade with hundreds of sex workers, and none have had any problem with calling a spade a spade, most likely because they realise I respect their choices and don't put a moral judgement on them.

Those girls who are financially motivated but not explicit sex workers would of course get upset, because Thais don't consider gold diggers to be prostitutes, in that case the actual meaning of the word is up for dispute.

In this case farang has a totally clear meaning - which unfortunately many people coming here often don't understand. So job one is to clear up that misunderstanding.

Next is to point out that to the extent there actually IS any derogatory meaning in a given context, it's very rare and coming from the fact that the speaker doesn't like farang for whatever reason, not anything inherent in the word from a linguistic POV - unlike the N-word for example.

The final issue, which you have outlined so clearly, is that some people think it's just not appropriate to use racial classifiers in public.

My response to that is "I don't agree" and obviously neither do the Thais, and trying to impose your view of morality and PC on others by trying to change the language they use is wrong and idiotic.

I can just imagine how the Thais would react in the US if Americans used the word "Chinaman" toward Thais in the way and with the frequency that Thais use "falang" in Thailand.

In addition; you would be berated and have respect lost by most other Americans who heard.

Most people in the US I know bend over backwards to treat foreigners just like everyone else and to make sure they feel comfortable.

Then you associate with a pretty refined and considerate subset of Americans. My experience is very different, especially toward other races and religions.

I know Muslim families that have been here for many decades, and they certainly aren't being treated well since 9-11.

And your example of a phrase being insulting because it is inaccurate has nothing to do with Thais using farang accurately. Substitute Asian and your point goes away.

And how do you think a group of people....let's say a Thai, a black American, and a hispanic would react if when lining up to order food, one server said to another (in front of said group) "you serve the black, I'll get the hispanic and the Asian"?

Something tells me they would not be too amused, but perhaps where you are from is different.

Yes, but you're talking about America. This is Thailand. Things are different here. By not accepting that fact you are IMO being far ruder than any Thai innocently being what you call "racist".

Thais eat bugs, spiders, larvae, snakes sometimes dogs. Thais in business where prices aren't marked try to extract the best price, taking advantage of the buyer's ignorance. Thais ask for a dowry if you want to marry their daughter. Thais are not bothered by, and often enjoy very loud noise and don't care if it affects the neighbors. Thais pick their nose in public. Thais are rabidly nationalistic and stick up for each other against outsiders without caring about who is "right". Thais are very classist and yes it is true somewhat racist.

So what? This is their country, they have the right to act as they like, visitors should just accept these differences and thank god every place isn't the same as back home.

More to the point, using "farang" as a vocabulary word to refer to caucasians isn't in itself racist at all. Sometimes it is used in a way that is meant to be offensive, but just recognizing the fact that we are bizarre aliens isn't.

They call me fat and old to my face, these are objectively true, and if not meant to be derogatory - which I know enough to spot the difference then I have learned to not take offense.

Taking offense is much worse than giving it, no one can give it unless you choose to take it.

Re-read your post and see if you can spot the contradictions. I can't be bothered to do it for you.

[wym]

"The right to be offended" 55555

[wym]

Re-read your post and see if you can spot the contradictions. I can't be bothered to do it for you.

Did but don't. Feel free to not bother.

[Berkshire]

I don't think you are understanding my point. Let me clarify

First off, it doesn't bother me that much; I have learned to live with it. What bothers me are people like you who defend the use of the word as socially acceptable.

What Thais do and talk about amongst themselves is their own business, I could care less if they call me a falang till the cows come home

However, when purposely catering to tourists and westerners; talking about "falang" like they are objects is offensive. If you are going to advertise your business as an international standard then you need to have staff who speak and behave in an INTERNATIONALLY appropriate way, not like the people you are serving and taking money from are aliens from a distant planet.

Thailand CLEARLY wants to be looked at well by the world's eyes and be a top notch INTERNATIONAL destination. They should act like it. Classifying and referring to people by their race in front of their face is just not OK. Not in Thailand, not anywhere.

Hope you see the difference.

Like I said, if people are so offended, they really ought to leave.

Oh sorry, that's right . . . most white people aren't offended.

Something of an inconvenient truth for your argument, isn't it?

The reason "most" white people are not offended is because they don't possess the language skills to know enough about what is being said.

If they did, they most certainly would be offended in many situations.

My life, job and family are here; I'm not going anywhere.

Would you tell immigrants in the US during the Bush administration that if they didn't like his policies they should leave? Is that the kind of person you are?

I have the right to express my opinion, and I have the right to be offended by things without having to leave.

You are quite the fascist, aren't you?

I think HS's point is why put up with such abuse if you have a choice. Surely you realize by now that you've lost this battle. The Thais (and most farangs) are not going to change their ways to appease you. It seems rather pointless for you to keep at it.

As for your USA example--if some foreigner was to come to America and criticize the way we do things, you bet your as* I would tell them to go the heck back to where they came from. I think most Americans would do the same.