Thai butting in line - how would you have handled this?

[Tmymaimee]

McDonalds on the Pattaya - Bangkok tollway. Waiting next in line and some young, pun ass kid (15- 16 years old) walks up, physically pushes me aside with his should and waits for a cashier. There were only 2 of us in line. I just figure he was waiting for a previously placed order, but then he begins to give his order.

I start by poking his shoulder and asking him if he knows how a line works. He ignores this. Then I ask him why he is such a <deleted>. He stares straight ahead with a absolutely blank face. I then give him a hard shove and ask him again why he doesn't have any manners. Same blank stupid stare with zero acknowledgement, almost like he's a zombie or something. Won't even look at me when I am speaking in his ear 3" away.

I really wanted to punch him in the face as he just completely disrespected me. I'm sure he does this regularly and I have no idea where he learned this type of behaviour from. He has no clue that in some cities like Philadelphia, this would be enough to actually be shot in the parking lot if you did it to the wrong guy. Absolutely clueless of any consequences to his behaviour.

After I received my order, I went to talk to his parents but he had already left. I figured they would at least understand why he may one day be hurt very badly if he doesn't change and maybe his blank stare straight ahead method doesn't quite work with his dad.

Without physically hitting him, what more could I have done? He had to be taught a lesson for his own safety but I don't know how to react differently if it happened again.

[chiang mai]

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

[enuff said]

.

when in Rome...

'nuff said

~

[art vandelay]

if you're going to spend any amount of time here you need to smarten up and calm down. learn more about thai culture otherwise however in the right you are showing anger and displaying aggression will always make you the loser.

[Neeranam]

Can you speak Thai?

If a McDonalds in Glasgow was frequented by foreign sexpats who made no effort to learn English, they'd be treated a lot worse.

[Gsxrnz]

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

That's very sage advice.

"Shot over the matter of a Big Mac" wouldn't look good on his tombstone.

[Tmymaimee]

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

Ah, you're wrong, its not the norm. Been living here 7 months and never encountered this before. Shakey ground? What happens when he visits America and tries this with the wrong guy? He will be severely injured or even killed.

I couldn't be quicker as the cashiers were busy assembling orders. I think speaking to his parents for his own safety would have worked if they were still there but outside of that, why the blank, straight ahead expressionless stare? Anywhere else in the world, the person butting in line would have said sorry or at least looked at you when they were being questioned.

[Pralaad]

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

Totally agree, personally, i would grab him by the ear and drag him to the back of the line

[Tmymaimee]

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

That's very sage advice.

"Shot over the matter of a Big Mac" wouldn't look good on his tombstone.

You can be shot now for not looking away at someone as they walk past you. Eye contact implies disrespect. He has to understand that outside Thailand, rudeness has consequences and if he can't change, one day someone will abruptly change him in a painful way.

[beachproperty]

.

when in Rome...

'nuff said

~

Well....when I was in Florence 20 years ago and wanted to go to the Ufizi I went at 8 0'clock. Was about 10th in line. Just before opening, the line got to be about 100 people and that's when a women cut right in front of me. I tried to talk to her ...."Hey..what do you think you're doing" etc. ....when I got a tap on my shoulder, so I turned around and the person said to me "She's German ....they think the rules don't apply to them"

So ....not just the Thai's acting like this ....Its just rude people ...period!

[Tmymaimee]

Can you speak Thai?

If a McDonalds in Glasgow was frequented by foreign sexpats who made no effort to learn English, they'd be treated a lot worse.

How would he know if I spoke Thai or not when he butted in line? What does that have to do with his behaviour? So its okay to butt in line i from of someone if they can't speak your local lingo? Yes, I can speak Thai but some Thai people choose to not understand me when its convenient for them. And he can speak English - its taught in schools over here now in 2014.

[Pralaad]

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

Ah, you're wrong, its not the norm. Been living here 7 months and never encountered this before. Shakey ground? What happens when he visits America and tries this with the wrong guy? He will be severely injured or even killed.

I couldn't be quicker as the cashiers were busy assembling orders. I think speaking to his parents for his own safety would have worked if they were still there but outside of that, why the blank, straight ahead expressionless stare? Anywhere else in the world, the person butting in line would have said sorry or at least looked at you when they were being questioned.

The only thing you are wrong about is that you think parents would listen or care.

Many here are simply incapable of comprehension and never had any manners to start with

[chiang mai]

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

Ah, you're wrong, its not the norm. Been living here 7 months and never encountered this before. Shakey ground? What happens when he visits America and tries this with the wrong guy? He will be severely injured or even killed.

I couldn't be quicker as the cashiers were busy assembling orders. I think speaking to his parents for his own safety would have worked if they were still there but outside of that, why the blank, straight ahead expressionless stare? Anywhere else in the world, the person butting in line would have said sorry or at least looked at you when they were being questioned.

This isn't Kansas (or Philly) and if this is the first time you've ever seen this in seven months, you need to get out more. Queuing is a Western trait that is not well understood in Asia or the Far East and is rarely practiced here, get used to it. And you might think that laying your hands on a local lad is warranted, his father, friends and others will disagree and it's the sort of behavior that could see a person get shot or attacked so please, for your own sake, don't do it.

EDIT: and the reason he didn't look at you is because it would have indicated confrontation and as far as he (and 90% of the population) was concerned he was not doing anything wrong.

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

Ah, you're wrong, its not the norm. Been living here 7 months and never encountered this before. Shakey ground? What happens when he visits America and tries this with the wrong guy? He will be severely injured or even killed.

I couldn't be quicker as the cashiers were busy assembling orders. I think speaking to his parents for his own safety would have worked if they were still there but outside of that, why the blank, straight ahead expressionless stare? Anywhere else in the world, the person butting in line would have said sorry or at least looked at you when they were being questioned.

Big mouthy talk will get you into some very serious trouble here,especially if pushing and poking accompany the offensive rants.

Nothing a gang of Thais enjoy better than teaching a disrespectful foreigner a lesson.

A week or so in hospital should see you right !

[Tmymaimee]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

Ah, you're wrong, its not the norm. Been living here 7 months and never encountered this before. Shakey ground? What happens when he visits America and tries this with the wrong guy? He will be severely injured or even killed.

I couldn't be quicker as the cashiers were busy assembling orders. I think speaking to his parents for his own safety would have worked if they were still there but outside of that, why the blank, straight ahead expressionless stare? Anywhere else in the world, the person butting in line would have said sorry or at least looked at you when they were being questioned.

Big mouthy talk will get you into some very serious trouble here,especially if pushing and poking accompany the offensive rants.

Nothing a gang of Thais enjoy better than teaching a disrespectful foreigner a lesson.

A week or so in hospital should see you right !

And you don't think that if he tried this outside of Thailand, he wouldn't be the one in the hospital?

I wasn't big and mouthy...I did nothing wrong. What would his response have been if I butted in line ahead of him?

[Totster]

And he can speak English - its taught in schools over here now in 2014.

English may be taught in schools, but it is not learnt.

OP - you handled this quite badly. Accept this fact, calm down and take the advice given from other posters. Seriously you cannot go around poking people on shoulders, yelling abuse at them and wanting to punch a 15 year old child. If you carry on like this it "will have consequences and if you can't change, one day someone will abruptly change you in a painful way."

totster

[Tmymaimee]

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

Ah, you're wrong, its not the norm. Been living here 7 months and never encountered this before. Shakey ground? What happens when he visits America and tries this with the wrong guy? He will be severely injured or even killed.

I couldn't be quicker as the cashiers were busy assembling orders. I think speaking to his parents for his own safety would have worked if they were still there but outside of that, why the blank, straight ahead expressionless stare? Anywhere else in the world, the person butting in line would have said sorry or at least looked at you when they were being questioned.

The only thing you are wrong about is that you think parents would listen or care.

Many here are simply incapable of comprehension and never had any manners to start with

You don't think his parents would be concerned if he tried this on the wrong person in the future and was punished? I would be very concerned if my son was disrespectful to someone and would ensure he didn't repeat it.

[chiang mai]

The thing is he didn't try it outside of Thailand, you were the one who went against local culture and you fail to understand that. And you seem to think that he understood English because it's taught in schools here in 2014, how many times do you want to be wrong on all of this!

[Tmymaimee]

And he can speak English - its taught in schools over here now in 2014.

English may be taught in schools, but it is not learnt.

OP - you handled this quite badly. Accept this fact, calm down and take the advice given from other posters. Seriously you cannot go around poking people on shoulders, yelling abuse at them and wanting to punch a 15 year old child. If you carry on like this it "will have consequences and if you can't change, one day someone will abruptly change you in a painful way."

totster

So based on your experience, it would have been acceptable to give him equal disrespect by pushing in front of him and avoiding any confrontation?

[Tmymaimee]

The thing is he didn't try it outside of Thailand, you were the one who went against local culture and you fail to understand that. And you seem to think that he understood English because it's taught in schools here in 2014, how many times do you want to be wrong on all of this!

So if local culture is acceptance of butting in line, I would have been in my right to treat him in a similar manner? Or is this one of those forms of Thainess that is 1 way?

[snairb]

tap him on the shoulder and ask him "does he have a monkey on his back" in English of course make sure thais around hear you if that doesnt work grap him and pull him back

see no reason to kow tow to thai culture when thai culture is rude just be rude back

. had a passenger on a aircraft side swipe me with his bag

my reply was " you must be American"

Being English helps as we are known for our arrogance so why behave any different ?

sent from my hospital bed

[Johnniey]

OP are you a Yank? Is this your 1st time away from home?

Sent from my GT-I9152 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[chiang mai]

The thing is he didn't try it outside of Thailand, you were the one who went against local culture and you fail to understand that. And you seem to think that he understood English because it's taught in schools here in 2014, how many times do you want to be wrong on all of this!

So if local culture is acceptance of butting in line, I would have been in my right to treat him in a similar manner? Or is this one of those forms of Thainess that is 1 way?

Correct. Except we like to think that our upbringing has taught us to perhaps handle things differently.

[Totster]

And he can speak English - its taught in schools over here now in 2014.

English may be taught in schools, but it is not learnt.

OP - you handled this quite badly. Accept this fact, calm down and take the advice given from other posters. Seriously you cannot go around poking people on shoulders, yelling abuse at them and wanting to punch a 15 year old child. If you carry on like this it "will have consequences and if you can't change, one day someone will abruptly change you in a painful way."

totster

So based on your experience, it would have been acceptable to give him equal disrespect by pushing in front of him and avoiding any confrontation?

My advice in this situation would be to just ignore it (this is avoiding confrontation). I'm sure you can wait the extra couple of minutes for your big mac fix.

totster

[thepool]

<script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script>

The thing is he didn't try it outside of Thailand, you were the one who went against local culture and you fail to understand that. And you seem to think that he understood English because it's taught in schools here in 2014, how many times do you want to be wrong on all of this!

So if local culture is acceptance of butting in line, I would have been in my right to treat him in a similar manner? Or is this one of those forms of Thainess that is 1 way?

Best give it a rest.

Your bad behavior will find little support here

[JLCrab]

After a while you will sense them coming and just be able to maneuver yourself to block them and not have to say anything.

[Pralaad]

You've got much to learn about behavior and culture here, what you experienced is the norm, what the young local lad experienced is very very much the exception, the fact that you attacked him puts you on very shakey ground with all of this. Next time, why not try being polite about it all, if that fails then simply be quicker with your order and cut him off that way.

Ah, you're wrong, its not the norm. Been living here 7 months and never encountered this before. Shakey ground? What happens when he visits America and tries this with the wrong guy? He will be severely injured or even killed.

I couldn't be quicker as the cashiers were busy assembling orders. I think speaking to his parents for his own safety would have worked if they were still there but outside of that, why the blank, straight ahead expressionless stare? Anywhere else in the world, the person butting in line would have said sorry or at least looked at you when they were being questioned.

The only thing you are wrong about is that you think parents would listen or care.

Many here are simply incapable of comprehension and never had any manners to start with

You don't think his parents would be concerned if he tried this on the wrong person in the future and was punished? I would be very concerned if my son was disrespectful to someone and would ensure he didn't repeat it.

You trying to see too much reason. Many parents here give their 11 year old kids motorbikes to ride.

[Tmymaimee]

The thing is he didn't try it outside of Thailand, you were the one who went against local culture and you fail to understand that. And you seem to think that he understood English because it's taught in schools here in 2014, how many times do you want to be wrong on all of this!

So if local culture is acceptance of butting in line, I would have been in my right to treat him in a similar manner? Or is this one of those forms of Thainess that is 1 way?

Correct. Except we like to think that our upbringing has taught us to perhaps handle things differently.

So next time I see a lineup, according to Thai culture, I would be well within my right to butt into the front and then stare straight ahead with a blank expression as the people waiting longer expressed their displeasure? You're right, there is much to learn about Thai culture. As I haven't encountered this up to now, I would rather think it was a single kid that needs to be taught some manners as I just don't see this from other Thai people.

[Totster]

So next time I see a lineup, according to Thai culture, I would be well within my right to butt into the front and then stare straight ahead with a blank expression as the people waiting longer expressed their displeasure?

This is called being childish.

totster

[petermik]

You post this incident on here but you are not prepared to accept the advice of other members here? yes what the kid did warranted a kick up the arse-but as everyone is telling you this is thailand-you unfortunately were in the wrong by your reaction- learn from what people are telling you and handle situations differently in future otherwise serious harm may happen to you in the future