Hi all,

I suppose this is about Thai etiquette. I'm always friendly with the security guard at my apartment building. He doesn't speak English and my Thai is limited but somehow we manage to have a bit of banter. I was on the way to a mamas and papas store tonight at around 9pm to get a few beers. He knew what I was going there for and I think he asked if I would buy him a beer, so I did. As you all know there is the 10pm curfew at the moment. I think he knew that he could let his hair down a little tonight. On the way back I gave him the beer and he wanted me to sit with him and drink together. That was all good with me. We drank a few beers together and had a bit of a laugh (if anyone is interested he offered to give me the money for the beer but I declined). Quite a few of the Thai residents passed us while we were drinking. Some smiled politely as they passed and others had to do a double take.

So my questions are - what do you think they thought of a farang and a Thai security guard drinking together? I'm a 32 year old Englishman and generally treat everyone the same (and always will) no matter what their social standing. I'm just curious as to what the Thai residents thought. Is it totally uncommon for a resident at an apartment building to socialise with the security guard or any other member of staff for that matter?

If there's any thieving tonight you are public enemy number one.

You probably are anyway as you're drinking with someone that is supposed to be working.

I dont think anything but as already been stated if anyones burgled tonight, they will probably come looking for you.

I'm surprised the guard lowered his standards.

No big deal. Anyone who says otherwise is overthinking it.

So my questions are - what do you think they thought of a farang and a Thai security guard drinking together?

If you do just after you move in, there's less chance of them putting a razor blade in your tire when you accidently park in 'their' space.

Hi all,

I suppose this is about Thai etiquette. I'm always friendly with the security guard at my apartment building. He doesn't speak English and my Thai is limited but somehow we manage to have a bit of banter. I was on the way to a mamas and papas store tonight at around 9pm to get a few beers. He knew what I was going there for and I think he asked if I would buy him a beer, so I did. As you all know there is the 10pm curfew at the moment. I think he knew that he could let his hair down a little tonight. On the way back I gave him the beer and he wanted me to sit with him and drink together. That was all good with me. We drank a few beers together and had a bit of a laugh (if anyone is interested he offered to give me the money for the beer but I declined). Quite a few of the Thai residents passed us while we were drinking. Some smiled politely as they passed and others had to do a double take.

So my questions are - what do you think they thought of a farang and a Thai security guard drinking together? I'm a 32 year old Englishman and generally treat everyone the same (and always will) no matter what their social standing. I'm just curious as to what the Thai residents thought. Is it totally uncommon for a resident at an apartment building to socialise with the security guard or any other member of staff for that matter?

I would think that people would think or assume you are going to pump him after grooming him with beer.

They think you are Gay and you were chatting up the security guard because all the boy bars were closed.

Would you do the same thing back in England? People here are staring for the same reason.

Off topic and 'colorful' post removed.

Amazing Thailand......

Have a beer with your security guard during curfew..... Activity #114

Edited May 23, 201412 yr by slipperylobster

I reckon the Thai residents will not be that impressed with the security guard. He is supposed to be working. Yeah, they all fall asleep but drinking is a bit of a no-no for a security guard.

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I do it all the time. Share beer and som tam with my security guard and sometimes give a little tip. The consequence of this is that he always notify me when a certain lady is coming up to my condo. Also, he never takes any bribery money from the ladies to snitch on me or track my movements... Win = win

They probably thought 'there's two men drinking beer' Jeezus

you got to be kidding,drinking with a security guard at 9-10pm.their hrs.normally are 6pm-6am. if so you have started something which you got to stop.anything happens and you will soon find out who is friendly.the past 5yrs.i have seen more than my share of incompetence of security guards drunk while they are supposed to be guarding your property.myself I don't trust any of them.

so be carefull.

You have certainly made yourself unpopular with the other residents by encouraging the guard to drink on duty.

Unfortunately this is a country where you are judged by the company you keep.........

They were probably envious wondering how can a guard communicate with that farang in English.

There's a building on my walk that I often see the day guard coming back to have a beer with the night guard, harmless IMO especially now since they don't have any soaps to kill the time.

The time to drink beer with a security guard is when he has finished his shift.

I'm surprised the guard lowered his standards.

.

OUCH!

The guard may get fired for drinking on the job. There were witnesses, possibly complaints. And that d_amn farang with him!

encouraging someone who is working to drink on the job, you do know the guy could get fired don't you ?

Therefore using Thailand logic, its your fault because you supplied the beer, and now you have cost him his job, there could be resentment and he knows where you live...

Let me guess, you also did a very deep Wai when you first met him didn't you ?

I'm just curious as to what the Thai residents thought. ?...What's that idiot farang socializing with one of the "servants" for ?

I sincerely hope most of the negative responses were meant to be sarcastic - if they were sincere then you folks have to loosen up a bit. They shared a couple beers, big deal. What a bunch of up tight, namby pamby old ladies.

Who gives a sh1t, your a decent human being sharing time and a beverage with another human being. Enjoy is what I say !

I sincerely hope most of the negative responses were meant to be sarcastic - if they were sincere then you folks have to loosen up a bit. They shared a couple beers, big deal. What a bunch of up tight, namby pamby old ladies.

what would happen in your job, if you where drinking on the job ?

A Thai sharing a comment.

You are a down to earth person (my compliment) but you have to keep a distance in order to earn a respect from anyone whom you make an acquaintance with in Thailand because the longer you have become friendly, the guard may get too comfortable and may lose your respect. Let that be the first and the last, and if you would like to have beer with the guard again, do it when he is off duty so that you would not look bad to other residents and the guard may eventually get in trouble for drinking on duty.

A Thai sharing a comment.

You are a down to earth person (my compliment) but you have to keep a distance in order to earn a respect from anyone whom you make an acquaintance with in Thailand because the longer you have become friendly, the guard may get too comfortable and may lose your respect. Let that be the first and the last, and if you would like to have beer with the guard again, do it when he is off duty so that you would not look bad to other residents and the guard may eventually get in trouble for drinking on duty.

Thanks for that BrooklynNY. Good insight and good advice.

encouraging someone who is working to drink on the job, you do know the guy could get fired don't you ?

Yeah I was concerned about this and still am a little. I hope he doesn't get into trouble for it. He was the one that asked for the beer then asked me to sit with him so my encouragement was minimal.

Let me guess, you also did a very deep Wai when you first met him didn't you ?

No! Surprisingly, the security guard is not a monk!

I would opt for an alternative. Drink with him if you wish, but not when he is at work and not when he is in uniform.

As for the base and tasteless comments about Boy Bars, pumping, etc., everyone is free to say or think what they want. However, the test of ones' intelligence is often proven by the absence of comment.

Unfortunately this is a country where you are judged by the company you keep.........

Indeed, the guard should have been more selective.