LOS no more?

[MZurf]

I went to Central yesterday to buy some shoes in the big sports store there but left without making a purchase. Every shop assistant I saw had a sour face and could hardly be bothered to answer a question.

When I requested a pair of shoes to be brought out I waited 5 minutes without anything happening before leaving in disgust.

This morning I had breakfast in a bakery and the same sour faces of the staff made it a negative experience.

I have lived here for a long time but cannot remember so many unsmiling Thai faces as I've seen the last few years, or am I wrong?

[PattayaPhom]

No WiFi in their place of work.....I find they are always too busy on faceache or line to even acknowledge you are there.

[MrWorldwide]

Central seems to be like that - I have a friendlier experience in other parts of town, but the depth of this low season does seem to have put many Thais in a fairly ordinary mood. By contrast, I know a couple of Thai bar owners who have built up a very loyal clientele by being very hospitable to all bar the total idiots and both seem to be doing quite well at the moment. I dont begrudge either of them a single Satang.

[Guderian]

Maybe it's just something to do with shoe shops? For almost 10 years I've been using the shoe shop on the north side of South Pattaya Road, about halfway between the beach and Second Road. They've always been helpful and when they see you looking they're quick to show you what's available and get your size. Yesterday afternoon I spent 5 minutes looking at shoes, then waved to the sales guy to come over. I was surprised he hadn't already done so, but he just looked at me glumly and ignored me. So I left, no point in making a fuss. Weird behaviour though.

[Costas2008]

In Thailand, you should feel privileged that you are served.

Do not expect any smiles or Thank you's.

In fact you should wai the shop assistant and say a thousand Kop koun khrap to him/her, for wasting their precious time on you.

It takes a little time.......but eventually you will learn also.

[JSixpack]

They've dealt w/ far too many farang idiots and time-wasters already and rightly assume the worst. Get used to it. Of course, the management of the establishment can make a critical difference.

Now, it's a fun challenge to speak some Thai, joke around a bit, and turn around the whole perception--ending w/ a nice experience and favorable impression for both parties.

Pattaya is just a small part of Thailand.

Edited July 1, 2014 by JSixpack

[hotrod4098]

thais never smile if no money is around them..

many girls i no in the bars say the say...big problem now falang not come..no money for sanuk...

so the false smile is gone..what you see now is the real thai...a worried person who can not pay there bills..

[jackvale]

The toilet attendant at The Blues Factory smiles more.

[NormanW]

This is becoming more and more common unfortunately.

[MrWorldwide]

The fat chick at my 7-11 seems to have a constant smile - she even manages to get a smile out of the Serious Sally she does the day shift with, Generally, they're pretty good kids in there, but I notice that many of the Seven staff closer to the strip seem a lot less inclined to show anything resembling a personality. I think JSixpack has nailed it - when you hear the way some of the Russians and Indians address Thai staff it's little wonder many of them have no time for us. I expect that many of us have shown the courtesy of holding those large swinging doors at the front of Central open for incoming customers - its telling that the Russians waltz through without even acknowledging you. I dont expect a hundred baht tip, but what does a nod and a smile cost ?

[bkkjames]

If it the shop in Fesitval, that shoe department staff is in need of a dire refresh, I stopped disturbing them after my first visit was met with 'you are bothering me to get you a pair to try on" attitude.

[ZigZagMan]

If it the shop in Fesitval, that shoe department staff is in need of a dire refresh, I stopped disturbing them after my first visit was met with 'you are bothering me to get you a pair to try on" attitude.

Ignored?

Like Jsixpack, I like to turn it into a positive and fun experience.

Start by trying on every pair of shoes in the store and leave them laying all around. Rip the place to shreds. It will make you feel better.

[JSixpack]

thais never smile if no money is around them..

many girls i no in the bars say the say...big problem now falang not come..no money for sanuk...

so the false smile is gone..what you see now is the real thai...a worried person who can not pay there bills..

How to Avoid Spreading Myths and Misinformation Online

[swissie]

Once in a while it must be repeated: Thais have no use for us.

I have discussed this subject with my 2 Thai-Stepdaughters numerous times. To Thais we are aliens,coming from countries where Mercedes-Benz grow on trees.

It's size that counts. The size of the wallet that is. Nothing else.

In Cambodia the ex-pat community will never refer to Thailand as the "Land of smiles" (LOS), they refer to it as "Land of fake smiles" (LOFS).

Cheers.

[Suradit69]

In Thailand, you should feel privileged that you are served.

Do not expect any smiles or Thank you's.

In fact you should wai the shop assistant and say a thousand Kop koun khrap to him/her, for wasting their precious time on you.

It takes a little time.......but eventually you will learn also.

Nonsense. We all sometimes encounter tired and unhappy sales people, just as would be the case everywhere in the world where people have to work long hours for poor pay, but far more often I find such people to be surprisingly pleasant (surprising because if I had to do what they do for that pay I would be unhappy) and helpful. Even the cashiers and bag boys/girls in the grocery stores are almost always smiling and say thank you in Thai when you're finished.

Too many farang obsess about their fear of losing face if sales people don't greet Khun Farang with a toothy smile and act like listening to him/her babble incoherently is the high point of their day. Get over yourself. Go to another shop. Whether you buy something or not, don't turn it into an international headline event.

In fact you should wai the shop assistant and say a thousand Kop koun khrap to him/her, for wasting their precious time on you.

Gee the mystery deepens as to why people treat you like they do. Maybe kissing Bwana Farang's bottom isn't in their job description. If you could afford to go into a high end retailer, you might get treated like the royalty you seem to think you are.

[Pattaya28]

I agree with the OP.

This is the "Land Of Scowls".

But on the flip side, what are we foreigners ? We're Complainers.

Complain about this, complain about that. Do we stop complaining ? I think not.

[ZigZagMan]

They've dealt w/ far too many farang idiots and time-wasters already and rightly assume the worst. Get used to it. Of course, the management of the establishment can make a critical difference.

Now, it's a fun challenge to speak some Thai, joke around a bit, and turn around the whole perception--ending w/ a nice experience and favorable impression for both parties.

Pattaya is just a small part of Thailand.

Nonsense post.

I'm from a tourist town and I've been to many other tourist towns.

The customers didn't turn the staff into bitter, lazy racists.

Even in Paris they are allot nicer than the Thais.

[LennyW]

They've dealt w/ far too many farang idiots and time-wasters already and rightly assume the worst. Get used to it. Of course, the management of the establishment can make a critical difference.

Now, it's a fun challenge to speak some Thai, joke around a bit, and turn around the whole perception--ending w/ a nice experience and favorable impression for both parties.

Pattaya is just a small part of Thailand.

This is pretty much spot on!

[gmac]

In Thailand, you should feel privileged that you are served.

Do not expect any smiles or Thank you's.

In fact you should wai the shop assistant and say a thousand Kop koun khrap to him/her, for wasting their precious time on you.

It takes a little time.......but eventually you will learn also.

Nonsense. We all sometimes encounter tired and unhappy sales people, just as would be the case everywhere in the world where people have to work long hours for poor pay, but far more often I find such people to be surprisingly pleasant (surprising because if I had to do what they do for that pay I would be unhappy) and helpful. Even the cashiers and bag boys/girls in the grocery stores are almost always smiling and say thank you in Thai when you're finished.

Too many farang obsess about their fear of losing face if sales people don't greet Khun Farang with a toothy smile and act like listening to him/her babble incoherently is the high point of their day. Get over yourself. Go to another shop. Whether you buy something or not, don't turn it into an international headline event.

In fact you should wai the shop assistant and say a thousand Kop koun khrap to him/her, for wasting their precious time on you.

Gee the mystery deepens as to why people treat you like they do. Maybe kissing Bwana Farang's bottom isn't in their job description. If you could afford to go into a high end retailer, you might get treated like the royalty you seem to think you are.

It's not just the 'Bwana Farang' who notices though. When I visited England with my Thai wife last year she was amazed at how friendly and helpful all the shop assistants were. Her comment 'never see like this in Thailand' tells the story.

[MrWorldwide]

I couldnt deal with the tourist horde in Patts - even if that horde is currently about 200 strong

[shirtless]

1. They expect you to throw money at them to get service , I think many Thais are in deep financial stress,as the booming tourist industry is now on the wane and many businesses here are almost bust, If they were friendly they would have customers, LOS is dead.

[Albertosez]

How many times do you see in the large department stores that they are well over staffed, but most of them just stand around talking to each other and doing sweet FA. If you ask one them something they look at you as though you are one that is ignorant and disturbing them. Last week I tried to buy a sandwich in a small shop. 5 x staff behind the counter and all talking to each other. I stood there for maybe 40 seconds and they could see that I was waiting for them to serve me - very clearly- but no one came. I just left the sandwich on the counter ( with a firm squeeze ) and walked out. You might say that this is not typical- but in Pattaya and Jomtien I think it is more typical than not !

Yes this is Thailand and we should let them be who they want to be, but I also think that this lack of assertiveness needs addressing because it can't be good for the Country !

[WitawatWatawit]

I think the point being missed here is not the fact that they are tired and having a miserable day and therefore we should excuse them for that, but that their job is to sell. To ignore a customer when he walks into a shop is not acceptable. The fault lies with both management and the staffer. The sales assistant is hired to assist and sell - what's so complicated about that? I went to Tukcom yesterday and started to look at a product, but the staff had pressed the ignore button. So I went to another shop where the young woman salesperson was speaking in Russian to a Russian guy and his wife. I liked the way she was interacting. She looked at me and said "Just a moment, sir." So I was happy to wait. When she finally got around to me, she showed me a range of products, demonstrated them and answered every question without hesitation. I was only 50-50 about buying. But ended up paying almost double what I figured I should pay because she made the choice so easy. Top class sales work by her. I'm sure she, too, gets a lot of "tyre kickers" at her stall, but it seems she doesn't let it faze her.

PS: Booths in Big C south - there has been a serious attitude problem with the staff there for a very long time. I refuse to go there.

Edited July 2, 2014 by WitawatWatawit

[MrWorldwide]

Jesus, must be time for me to go back to bed - I actually find myself agreeing with WatANitWit !

[WitawatWatawit]

Jesus, must be time for me to go back to bed - I actually find myself agreeing with WatANitWit !

You're settling in well since your relocation. I'm impressed.

[MrWorldwide]

Doesnt mean will be taking long, hot showers together

[WitawatWatawit]

Well that's spoilt my day. Back to beating up on sales people.

And don't forget, sh't happens - Tony Abbott.

[Bernard Flint]

They've dealt w/ far too many farang idiots and time-wasters already and rightly assume the worst. Get used to it. Of course, the management of the establishment can make a critical difference.

Now, it's a fun challenge to speak some Thai, joke around a bit, and turn around the whole perception--ending w/ a nice experience and favorable impression for both parties.

Pattaya is just a small part of Thailand.

Nonsense post.

I'm from a tourist town and I've been to many other tourist towns.

The customers didn't turn the staff into bitter, lazy racists.

Even in Paris they are allot nicer than the Thais.

I would totaly disagree with you on that. Even french dont like the Parisians, i hated every minute when i went to Paris, obnoxious lot.

[Rimmer]

Inflammatory post removed

[Kaoboi Bebobp]

They've dealt w/ far too many farang idiots and time-wasters already and rightly assume the worst. Get used to it. Of course, the management of the establishment can make a critical difference.

Now, it's a fun challenge to speak some Thai, joke around a bit, and turn around the whole perception--ending w/ a nice experience and favorable impression for both parties.

Pattaya is just a small part of Thailand.

+1 on that.

I've witnessed many farangs walking up to a display or counter with a "you're going to try to rip me off" scowl. Most Russians and Indians have completely dismissive demeanours, treating shop clerks like a morning crap. No wonder those who work 10-12 hours a day on the incessantly busy side of the bright lights can't work up a smile or cop khun krap.

It seems to me, the farther you are from Beach Road/Walking Street/Buakhao triangle, the nicer the service. Until this week I was living behind Big C Extra. Service in the shops was very decent. Now I'm back on the Dark Side. It's a different and more pleasant world over here. At a Family Mart on Noen Pub Waan, a clerk late last night suggested I go with a certain deal on chocolate bars after seeing my choice. She actually was giving me an alternative! I declined and finally went with a third choice. "Have to have chocolate," she observed smartly. Made me laugh. Having lived on the DS before, I never got the impression that shop clerks hated their jobs, their boss or their customers here.

Edited July 4, 2014 by Kaoboi Bebobp