How do you like being called "farang"

[Naam]

I think the OP would rather be addressed as Bwana. How dare the natives point at him, when they should be bowing down .

Bwana is acceptable but my preference is N'kosi

[ATF]

Actually all it means is the same as the falung fruit which is white inside and has a slightly coarse texture just like Western skin as opposed to white Asian skin which is silky smooth. It's not an insult just a pure observation.

"falung" now listed in "Thaivisa Farang Spelling Collection" as #23

The Thai pronunciation of the word is Falung. How do you say it in Klingon?

[ATF]

Actually all it means is the same as the falung fruit which is white inside and has a slightly coarse texture just like Western skin as opposed to white Asian skin which is silky smooth. It's not an insult just a pure observation.

"falung" now listed in "Thaivisa Farang Spelling Collection" as #23

My dear man, you have the most unusual collecting hobbies!

Dek Noi where have you been? Staying out of trouble?

[rgs2001uk]

I would like to say that I am surprised by the number of derogatory remarks about Thais from people complaining about Thais being racist.

Unfortunately, I'm not surprised at all.

Its frustration old chap,its not being called farang that pisses them off, its the fact they dont speak Thai and dont know how to reply.

Dont bother me in the least, would they rather be called kaek (which most of them actually are)?

Bak sida would you rather be called that, they dont know what it means, so it dont offend them for the simple reason they dont speak Issan despite the fact many probably have Issan partners.

No doubt they believe their teelak when she tells them it means hansum man LOL.

[deknoiJT]

this hobby is neither time consuming nor does it require to spend money

farang

falang

farlang

farung

farong

faring

farnags

falung

ferong

ferang

ferung

furung

furlong

furlung

forong

folong

forlong

pharung

felang

franansgs

ferlang

forang

Folung

A splendid collection indeed, one to be very proud of.

I was not the best at arithmetic in school, but my count has 'falung' at #24

[Berkshire]

If nothing else, this thread has given some an opportunity to demonstrate a few Thai words that they know.

Actually, this thread helps to identify the idiot farangs who are still offended by the word "Caucasian" (literal translation of "farang").

[rgs2001uk]

If nothing else, this thread has given some an opportunity to demonstrate a few Thai words that they know.

Actually, this thread helps to identify the idiot farangs who are still offended by the word "Caucasian" (literal translation of "farang").

Actually, this thread helps to identify the farang who cant speak Thai, even though they claim to live here.

Please tell me whats offensive about, farang sung (factually correct) or farang law (probably pak waan but never mind)?

They hear the word and go into a hissy fit, all they do is expose their ignorance of the country and its language.

They then come onto these forums and bitch and moan about "farang" who live in their country but dont speak, ............ insert whatever language you want, usually English.

Great stuff.

[AYJAYDEE]

Fine by me.

[enuff said]

.

Canuck Camel jockey Grease ball Kike Spic Chink Dago Polock Cracker Paki Limey Frog (all prefaced by the obligatory "filthy") make falang sound like a compliment.

I don't mind it at all

'nuff said

~

[NancyL]

When I first came to Thailand 30 years ago, the Thai ladies of the circle I was visiting explained the terms "f" and could barely say the word. Everything you geniuses have brought up about fruit and Frenchmen was mentioned. Much as women of that age could barely say or explain the "F" word to someone from another planet today. I thought that was all I needed to know about how appropriate the "f" word was.

Nowadays, if someone's Grandmother wouldn't have used it to describe white foreigners 25 years ago, is it appropriate to use today?

If it doesn't pass the Grandmother test, well then, you really need to rethink what you're doing?

It's still obscene in my book.

Nancy

Edited July 23, 2014 by NancyL

[pigeonjake]

i cant see the problem with it myself,

if we go to wangnamyen shoping and i see a new falang, i say to the wife, hes a new falang never seen him before,

whats the problem with that,

i dont know if hes from england,scotland, usa,canada, i just say new falang, not new brit ect

jake the brit falang

[pigeonjake]

If nothing else, this thread has given some an opportunity to demonstrate a few Thai words that they know.

whats that......................falang,,lol

[NancyL]

It just has a few more letters than an equivalent word in English. Well. not quite equivalent. The Thai people love puns and at least this obscenity ties back to a fruit that not too many people like. It's really difficult to make any sort of polite or scholarly reference to the equivalent English "f" word.

The Thai word is much, much better in that you can, at times use it in polite company. All in the name of pun.

You can't make the same claim for the direct English translation.

Edited July 23, 2014 by NancyL

[Time Traveller]

If nothing else, this thread has given some an opportunity to demonstrate a few Thai words that they know.

Actually, this thread helps to identify the idiot farangs who are still offended by the word "Caucasian" (literal translation of "farang").

So Asians should not be offended by being called Mongoloids?

[wow64]

OP doesn't it beat being called @hole or deekhead in farang land?

Why care its just a fruit.. you silly bannana

Edited July 23, 2014 by wow64

[pigeonjake]

with little restraint I mocked back saying farang, farang!

You mock back by pointing and saying 'Khmen, Khmen!'

and they mock back pointing... English teacher, English teacher, mamma noodle, mamma noodle, overstay, overstay

And they also mock back at you with "nearly 16,000 posts, what a sad-faced loser".

dont bite souty my old mate,,

16,000 bloody hell, mind you dave48 is trying to catch you,,lol

jake the peace keeper

Edited July 23, 2014 by pigeonjake

[krisb]

Next time they shout falang falang, shout back Thai Thai.

[mistephenso]

I got used to it, and usually are kids the one shouthing "farang". These are my usual reactions:

1) Smile at them. If they are with an adult bow my head a bit at him and continue (this is the most usual).

2) Look around as if I was looking for something while saying "farang nai?" (where is a farang?)

3 Point back at them and say "Thai!, Thai!"

4) Reply "Phum mai farang. Con Lao kap" (I am not a farang, I am from Laos)

1) Huh?

2) "Farang yuu nai (khrap)?"

3) "Khon Thai, khon Thai!"

4) "Phom mai chai farang, bpen khon Laos khrap..."

If someone doesn't know your name, then it stands to reason that they are going to call you 'farang' as opposed to anything else!? For example, if you are in a restaurant or bar where no-one knows you and order food or a drink, then they are going to say "It's for the 'farang' over there at table xyz...".There is nothing rude about that.

If a Thai was in a Thai restaurant in the West and there were only 'western' clientele, then a waiter/waitress might say that the food was for the "Thai person over there". Again, it is not rude or derogatory in my book to do that!?

If, however, you have close friends or family that know you well and insist on calling you 'farang' instead of your real name, then I would consider that an insult of sorts...

That said, my mother in law might say that her daughter is married to a farang in random conversation in the village!? I don't have a problem with that.

All of my wife's family address me by my name though, in the same way I have learnt their language and address all of them by name.

Being called a farang by random strangers doesn't really bother me at all (unless it really is said in a harsh way) - likewise, if I am out and trying to have jokey/light-hearted conversation with people around me, I might also address myself as 'farang' (also when referring to a group of us!).

It amazes me how many people get worked up about this, without bothering to learn the language and various ways the word 'farang' is actually used!?

[tomaway]

Calling every white people "Farang" is as bad as calling every Asian people "Chinese"... That's what stupid people do back in my country....

A japanese is not a Thai which is nor a Vietnamese neither a Koeran exactly the same is going for an Australian not being a German which is nor an American neither a French.

I do try to avoid using this word but at the end of the day.... it doesn't change my day

[AYJAYDEE]

Calling every white people "Farang" is as bad as calling every Asian people "Chinese"... That's what stupid people do back in my country....

A japanese is not a Thai which is nor a Vietnamese neither a Koeran exactly the same is going for an Australian not being a German which is nor an American neither a French.

I do try to avoid using this word but at the end of the day.... it doesn't change my day

to a thai, farang has no nationality, it simply means foreigner

[Thai at Heart]

Its not racist. That's why its said with such love and affection

[squarethecircle]

Its not racist. That's why its said with such love and affection

I've never heard it said with love and affection. Which is why when I hear it used it puts me in the "us versus them" mindset. Completely f---s my interest in learning Thai or respecting the country, brings me back to the thread a few weeks ago I posted which asked: "is there anywhere any Thailand where you DON'T get the f-rang treatment". Kinda clueless at this point whether there is any reason to learn Thai or I should just make do travelling around the country and getting by with survival Thai and Engrit.

[sustento]

Is it Thursday already?

[JAFO]

@ OP. All countries have reference words for people not native to them. Thai have names for Japanese, Chinese, Korean, Caucasian and African American folks. Just happens to be that all "white" people (Male and Female) are called Falang. So water off a ducks back as I say. Its not meant to be an insult. Its like what you would say referencing a person you saw, I saw this "Black" person or "Japanese" person etc.

In the bigger picture I always thought it was odd that people have to reference anybody like that. Why not say I saw this Gal or this Guy or this person, why point out color or race? Its just how we are as humans I suppose

Have another beer, all good. When I have had kids say Falang, I usually say Krub!!! and laugh.

[AYJAYDEE]

Its not racist. That's why its said with such love and affection

I've never heard it said with love and affection. Which is why when I hear it used it puts me in the "us versus them" mindset. Completely f---s my interest in learning Thai or respecting the country, brings me back to the thread a few weeks ago I posted which asked: "is there anywhere any Thailand where you DON'T get the f-rang treatment". Kinda clueless at this point whether there is any reason to learn Thai or I should just make do travelling around the country and getting by with survival Thai and Engrit.

the way someone perceives a word has nothing to do with the way it was intended. if you dont hear it with love and affection, it is your fault. many of us do.

[Loptr]

If nothing else, this thread has given some an opportunity to demonstrate a few Thai words that they know.

Actually, this thread helps to identify the idiot farangs who are still offended by the word "Caucasian" (literal translation of "farang").

I dunno, but I'm pretty sure I've been referred to as a guava before...

[Loptr]

If nothing else, this thread has given some an opportunity to demonstrate a few Thai words that they know.

Actually, this thread helps to identify the idiot farangs who are still offended by the word "Caucasian" (literal translation of "farang").

So Asians should not be offended by being called Mongoloids?

Perhaps something a bit more delicate as we are in the PC era... Just look at all the name changes that descendants of Africans have gone though in the name of political correctness...

I don't have a problem being referred to as a farang, but much like any slang it depends on the context...

[AYJAYDEE]

If nothing else, this thread has given some an opportunity to demonstrate a few Thai words that they know.

Actually, this thread helps to identify the idiot farangs who are still offended by the word "Caucasian" (literal translation of "farang").

So Asians should not be offended by being called Mongoloids?

Perhaps something a bit more delicate as we are in the PC era... Just look at all the name changes that descendants of Africans have gone though in the name of political correctness...

I don't have a problem being referred to as a farang, but much like any slang it depends on the context...

its called common courtesy, not political correctness

[benalibina]

Its not racist. That's why its said with such love and affection

I've never heard it said with love and affection. Which is why when I hear it used it puts me in the "us versus them" mindset. Completely f---s my interest in learning Thai or respecting the country, brings me back to the thread a few weeks ago I posted which asked: "is there anywhere any Thailand where you DON'T get the f-rang treatment". Kinda clueless at this point whether there is any reason to learn Thai or I should just make do travelling around the country and getting by with survival Thai and Engrit.

the way someone perceives a word has nothing to do with the way it was intended. if you dont hear it with love and affection, it is your fault. many of us do.

Sorry....cynicism must be a stranger to you. Leaving that aside.....you really must be the only 1 to make the connection between farang and love and affection...

[AYJAYDEE]

Its not racist. That's why its said with such love and affection

I've never heard it said with love and affection. Which is why when I hear it used it puts me in the "us versus them" mindset. Completely f---s my interest in learning Thai or respecting the country, brings me back to the thread a few weeks ago I posted which asked: "is there anywhere any Thailand where you DON'T get the f-rang treatment". Kinda clueless at this point whether there is any reason to learn Thai or I should just make do travelling around the country and getting by with survival Thai and Engrit.

the way someone perceives a word has nothing to do with the way it was intended. if you dont hear it with love and affection, it is your fault. many of us do.

Sorry....cynicism must be a stranger to you. Leaving that aside.....you really must be the only 1 to make the connection between farang and love and affection...

thats demonstrates your very limited experience