Unfriendly Farangs

[uptheos]

I'm from the USA, almost three years now, live 2-3 blocks from Big C, Aomyai, I get mixed thoughts and reactions. All the Farang's, be it Aussie or what ever 9 out of 10 return a HI! Visiting malls like Seacon, The Mall etc I or my wife will hear, Mommy Farang. I make a happy face at all the young kids, they either smile or will turn their head, how should one take that???? What is wrong with a Farang?? I didn't do anything wrong, just a smile. I have at it where a young one wanted to shake my hand, a son with his Thai Dad in Big C, asks, you come and fish in English, I said no..... The only problem I have is the Scooters even the Police, Riding the sidewalk built for people and they ride them like they own it, beep beep my Ahole! and even the wrong way on the streets.... In the USA, humans are given the rights above any motorized vehicles then Bikes! They have brakes, A/C (they can wait)........I can't harm them with my body, but they can KILL US!

Texas?

[uptheos]

.

I keep reading that a response to a simple "Hello" "How you doin' ?" "What's up?" "Good morning", often results in an unpleasant encounter.

Guys: You have to have the social graces to extricate yourselves from these situations. I realize they make your guts churn and your knee jerk but that happens a lot in life and sometimes you can't run away.

I have a friend who is totally grossed out by khatouey. He will actually run from them/cross the street to avoid them. The giant horsey faced ones with the gobs of make-up practically cause a panic attack. In effect, they run his life. He lives way up country so he only sees them when he comes to BKK for shopping, thank heavens. I, on the other hand, find them a good laff and, if you joke with them a little in a way that says "no", they quickly move on to greener pastures.

I only told that story to illustrate that ---> There are ways to deal with khatouey, even pushy ones, and not lose your cool. They are an extreme end of the spectrum but it can be done.

There are ways to deal with strangers who's offer of a greeting turns into an agenda. Figure some out that work for you. as in "This is a real coincidence. My buffalo is sick, too."

Don't be afraid! Give people a chance to be nice.

'nuff said

~

I also run away from katoeys and other types of thieves and pickpockets.

I know not all katoeys are pickpockets. Unfortunately the 98% that are, ruin it for the rest :-)

The 98% ruin it for the 2%........that's interesting.

[thaicookingchef]

I do not reply your hello because i do not want any conversation, easy, no ?

[Loles]

Oh man, there are every-where enough idiot in our globe. In your country at home is every-one normal?

No.

You just found a psychopath, nothing else.

This is not "farang" question at all.

[captspectre]

The Gym,huh,maybe they think your gay,trying to hit them up,not saying you are of course only a thought.

this is MY point of view. the french and the english are the most rude people I have ever seen. they NEVER reply to a friendly greeting, the Aussies have proven to be the most friendly, most of them say hello or some friendly greeting. the Americans are next. i have been here for fourteen years now and I do not speak to a french or english person first, tired of the snobbish look or the "why are you talking to me look" just my opinion.

[Soutpeel]

The Gym,huh,maybe they think your gay,trying to hit them up,not saying you are of course only a thought.

this is MY point of view. the french and the english are the most rude people I have ever seen. they NEVER reply to a friendly greeting, the Aussies have proven to be the most friendly, most of them say hello or some friendly greeting. the Americans are next. i have been here for fourteen years now and I do not speak to a french or english person first, tired of the snobbish look or the "why are you talking to me look" just my opinion.

And rightly so you bloody colonial

Only kidding

[slipperylobster]

^ Actually, most gays are usually quite particular about their hygiene.

for rather obvious reasons....(using the old dirt road is not the best route)

[InTransit]

Maybe they don't speak or understand English. People from English speaking countries often assume everyone speak their language.

Unless you are talking to an alien I think most people worldwide understand what Hello or Hi means

[larsjohnsson]

Maybe they don't speak or understand English. People from English speaking countries often assume everyone speak their language.

Unless you are talking to an alien I think most people worldwide understand what Hello or Hi means

Probably, but it was "How are you"

And do all people like to smalltalk or say hello to every farang they see?

Edited May 5, 2014 by larsjohnsson

[arminbkk]

It was interesting to read this thread. Now I know why farangs, be it tourists or expats or retirees, avoid eye contact with me and only give me a negative look.

It is because they assume that I am either: a loser, deadbeat, sexpat, con man, pay to sleep with under aged girls and/or boys, come from the bottom barrel of society in my own country, failed in life and want to moan about it to someone, a drunk, spend most my time in bars, a foreigner that cannot speak English anyway, fake, shady, dubious background, anti social, not on a legitimate visa, gay, an awkward type etc etc.

It is amazing that these people can apparently deduct all that within under a second. What is even more amazing is that they, apparently, believe they are correct in their assumption.

I'm actually none of the above. But I guess the office attire that I wear does not make a difference.

Let’s face it; people in general are just not friendly.

I once said hello to a guy in the gym and asked him how he was doing. He then did not stop talking for 30 minutes. It was amusing though.

I will say hello to others while entering the locker room, without at all making it appear like I will go into a lengthy conversation. Just a hello in passing.

We are sharing a confined space after all. Some will return it. Done. Some won’t, even ignore. I reciprocate in kind from then on.

Maybe we should just put it down to personal preferences: I don’t mind a friendly hello in the building elevator since we are kind of neighbours.

If I happen to step in and see someone with a remotely friendly/open attitude, I will nod or say hello. Unfortunately, most foreigners and Thais don’t have that attitude.

I give what I get.

[Soutpeel]

Maybe they don't speak or understand English. People from English speaking countries often assume everyone speak their language.

Unless you are talking to an alien I think most people worldwide understand what Hello or Hi means

Technically speaking, for the most part we are all aliens if living in Thailand, so it looks like you answered your own comment

[InTransit]

Maybe they don't speak or understand English. People from English speaking countries often assume everyone speak their language.

Unless you are talking to an alien I think most people worldwide understand what Hello or Hi means

Probably, but it was "How are you"

And do all people like to smalltalk or say hello to every farang they see?

Quote from the OP "Same last week met this guy that I see all the time, at the entrance, said hi he just looked at me."

I never said all people want to small talk with a farang, I was replying to your statement when you said that not everyone understands English.

[foggy1]

Back on topic; what's with all the averted eyes, manly silence and homophobic tension at the gym?

The thought process that niceness is weakness

[lanng khao]

Oh, so you walked over there and had the young looking male show you his ID card or you knew him from before and knew he was 16 for certain? ... Let's hope so, otherwise I'd have to place you in that 'bad farang' box also for making assumptions and being homophobic.

Not sure what this all has to with the thread topic, now turning into fellow farang bashing. Makes a nice change from the Thai bashing though.

In general I like to talk to strangers and it works well in my part of the city (formerly under socialist rule, which I always found to facilitate communication, note the change when crossing from Thailand to Laos) but at home we tend to ignore most folks as well, no? In time, those worth knowing will reveal themselves. Many people are just cautios, I'd say.

Your comment is simplistic to say the least but obviously you have a need to defend a pedophile. It's your life but don't get caught by the police or a real man.

You must not have read the entire post, only the part that excites you about pedophilia, because if you had read the entire post you would see how silly your comment is.

Equating the condemnation of pedophilia with the condemnation of homosexuality is worrying to an extreme, perhaps you should be put under surveillance?

Mayberry he likes to walk around in his speedos, the ones that the letter s has fallen off..

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[lanng khao]

It was interesting to read this thread. Now I know why farangs, be it tourists or expats or retirees, avoid eye contact with me and only give me a negative look.

It is because they assume that I am either: a loser, deadbeat, sexpat, con man, pay to sleep with under aged girls and/or boys, come from the bottom barrel of society in my own country, failed in life and want to moan about it to someone, a drunk, spend most my time in bars, a foreigner that cannot speak English anyway, fake, shady, dubious background, anti social, not on a legitimate visa, gay, an awkward type etc etc.

It is amazing that these people can apparently deduct all that within under a second. What is even more amazing is that they, apparently, believe they are correct in their assumption.

I'm actually none of the above. But I guess the office attire that I wear does not make a difference.

Let’s face it; people in general are just not friendly.

I once said hello to a guy in the gym and asked him how he was doing. He then did not stop talking for 30 minutes. It was amusing though.

I will say hello to others while entering the locker room, without at all making it appear like I will go into a lengthy conversation. Just a hello in passing.

We are sharing a confined space after all. Some will return it. Done. Some won’t, even ignore. I reciprocate in kind from then on.

Maybe we should just put it down to personal preferences: I don’t mind a friendly hello in the building elevator since we are kind of neighbours.

If I happen to step in and see someone with a remotely friendly/open attitude, I will nod or say hello. Unfortunately, most foreigners and Thais don’t have that attitude.

I give what I get.

you missed being a Liverpool fan out..

Sent from my iPad using Thaivisa Connect Thailand

[marko kok prong]

The Gym,huh,maybe they think your gay,trying to hit them up,not saying you are of course only a thought.

this is MY point of view. the french and the english are the most rude people I have ever seen. they NEVER reply to a friendly greeting, the Aussies have proven to be the most friendly, most of them say hello or some friendly greeting. the Americans are next. i have been here for fourteen years now and I do not speak to a french or english person first, tired of the snobbish look or the "why are you talking to me look" just my opinion.

So how do you know where i am from?

[marko kok prong]

It never ceases to amaze me how some many people are so bored with life that they spend time in dumb threads like this. GET A LIFE GUYS!

Yet you sir,post on this dumb thread,one would think you have rather rendered your post,well inefectual..,but you are busy getting a life,so don't bother to reply,as it surely could not match your previous post in boorishness.

[dotpoom]

Where I come from back home strangers say "Hello" to each other a lot....just friendly people I guess. After living here a good few years now I have almost given up the practice. But....when I have my poker face on (when in Rome live like the Romans do) and a Farang passes me and greets me with a smile and a hello...I feel just rotten for not being quick enough to return it when I have passed him already ...so I take up the practice again till I get tired of the same reaction that you got.

PS. Was listening to a very interesting program on radio recently about why people do not like to make eye contact and try to avoid it. Seemingly, the longer you look into a person's eyes the more you will get to like them (including yourself if you try it in a mirror) and people avoid doing it because.............they would not know how to handle that feeling. Interesting... eh?

[AussieSteve]

Wow ................... I don't think I can follow this topic anymore.

I sure started something.

In conclusion.................It doesn't hurt to return a greetting guys.

Hi to everyone here................ see you in the gym sometime, or Tesco's

[LaraC]

Quit bothering people and leave them alone.
Would be funny to read a thread titled "This guy at the gym just wont leave me in peace..."

[Thorgal]

Is it normal to say 'hello' to a complete stranger in a state of undress, in a changing room ?

Edited May 5, 2014 by Thorgal

[enuff said]

.

Over 200 replies.

Pointing out the differences in falang culture. Culture goes clear through you.

In my culture, as retarded as it may sound to some, I was taught to walk through life with my head high. Greet each passer-by as an equal. If a stranger, a tip of the hat and a smile is all that's required. If an acquaintance, a hearty "Good morning/afternoon" or "nice to see you."

You may have a different opinion BUT I CAN'T HELP MYSELF. It goes very deep in my brain.

So I will continue smiling, nodding, and mumbling trite phrases to all and sundry.

Sorry.

'nuff said

~

Edited May 5, 2014 by 'nuff said

[chrisinth]

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

^ Actually, most gays are usually quite particular about their hygiene.

And who they talk to in the gym.........................

So I've been told!!................

[larsjohnsson]

Maybe they don't speak or understand English. People from English speaking countries often assume everyone speak their language.

Unless you are talking to an alien I think most people worldwide understand what Hello or Hi means

Probably, but it was "How are you"

And do all people like to smalltalk or say hello to every farang they see?

Quote from the OP "Same last week met this guy that I see all the time, at the entrance, said hi he just looked at me."

I never said all people want to small talk with a farang, I was replying to your statement when you said that not everyone understands English.

Are you saying everyone understand English then? I belive it's rather obvious that I'm right when saying "not everyone understand English"

[Seastallion]

Haven't read the 9 pages of replies, so I don't know if I.m in a minority not....I have seen the same thing, time after time from guys who are not tourists. I have yet to get even a return smile.

The One exception (and I hope you've joined TV now Steve G), was a tourist who was glad for a friendly face and voice.

My reasoning for the phenomenon is that us residents are afraid of being thought of as a sex tourist....I know that is what I fear.

I live in a city that does not have many Westerners, and I would have thought that we would be at least a little bit supportive, being in the VAST minority. There is one TV member (WG) that has welcomed me, and to him I am grateful.......oh, and A, the owner of an Irish pub.

[PaullyW]

I think we should give our fellow falangs the benefit of the doubt sometimes.

We are in a rather nasty country, always under various threats from the locals who would mostly we rather not be around. It's a tough environment and not always easy to step outside of that and become as easy going as we might be in countries where we are not under constant pressure. Nobody wants to be vulnerable.

[Mango Bob]

^{People who say maybe they don't understand English is just given a stupid excuse. Everyone knows how to say hello, or just a nod of the head. why make it such a big deal. No one is asking you to have a conversation with anyone.}

[lanng khao]

Just a friendly, alright &lt;deleted&gt;, will surfice..

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[healthbkkbkk]

^{People who say maybe they don't understand English is just given a stupid excuse. Everyone knows how to say hello, or just a nod of the head. why make it such a big deal. No one is asking you to have a conversation with anyone.}

"just given a stupid excuse"? On this forum? No, not remotely possible.

[bangkoklasse]

.

Over 200 replies.

Pointing out the differences in falang culture. Culture goes clear through you.

In my culture, as retarded as it may sound to some, I was taught to walk through life with my head high. Greet each passer-by as an equal. If a stranger, a tip of the hat and a smile is all that's required. If an acquaintance, a hearty "Good morning/afternoon" or "nice to see you."

You may have a different opinion BUT I CAN'T HELP MYSELF. It goes very deep in my brain.

So I will continue smiling, nodding, and mumbling trite phrases to all and sundry.

Sorry.

'nuff said

~

It sounds good. But when living in Bangkok you don't greet each passer-by by a tip of the hat, smile or good morning.