Every 3 weeks I start up my honda self propelled petrol lawn mower. It sounds like a chopper landing in the front yard. I assume I might be the only resident that has a mower as most folk use the hand held brushcutter.

Once again today whilst I was cutting the grass I had a couple of guys have a good look at my machine. The first guy walked past carrying a small rubbish bag. He walked close to my fence and looked at my mower and then kept walking and had a longer look inside the car port.

Then another guy arrived 5 min later on a bike pretending to sell the lottery tickets (with that wooden box on the front of his bike). He rode around and had a good look. He didnt bother to ride down the end of the street but did a circle and rode past my fence again and had a good look inside. All whilst I was there looking at him.

These people have no shame. Needless to say that I have to keep the mower at the in laws house- and bring it back here each time I need to use it. Obviously still hope that no one jumps my fence and has a look around whilst we are at work next week.

I think that both of the guys described above work on the numerous houses that are being built in the village where I live. Its a classic that they actually do not care that I am looking at them having a long look inside my yard and carport.

Have you had any similar experiences?

Why in the world didn't you invite them to have a look at your interesting machine and offer them some water? Sounds like you have some real issues.

I really don't understand what is wrong with people looking over the gate at something they have never seen. They were either impressed or criticizing you either way a short discussion and friendly gestures towards the people working in your community goes a lot further than some gripe post to random strangers.

I guess you also think that all locals are thieves.

"Needless to say that I have to keep the mower at the in laws house- and bring it back here each time I need to use it."

Perhaps they have never seen a petrol lawnmower before.

Why don't you invite them in and show them how it works?

Update - Zeichen - I double-posted with your comment!

Edited September 28, 201411 yr by simon43

Happens to me too -- all the time!

maybe they were each eyeing some aspect of the yard/ garage that a Thai couild have been employed to work in/on?

OP could have been getting Judged, instead of Cased.

Watching people work, especially with unusually equipment is a worldwide thing. People stand along sidewalks to watch people construct tall buildings.

In Thailand, farangs might be of interest, especially if they had a farang machine.

I think if they were going to case the joint they'd do it more secretively. You might have missed a chance to meet some Thais.

This farang don't mind gawking back at those colourful Thai Rice Paddy harvesters

Edited September 28, 201411 yr by tifino

Stop using it in the middle of the day. You're probably waking them up.

Some locals (but only some) do not fully understand personal privacy and personal space. I suspect this is the case. If they were checking you out with a view to a b&e, then I doubt they'd do it in full daylight and right in front of you. They're curious. Give them a smile. Let them check out the new fangled machine. You might make a friend for life.

Maybe they wanted to check that you have a workpermit ... later immigration will come ...

i was making these last week, farrowing crates for my pigs,

i had many walk past out farm gate to have a look,, maybe they cant believe that the falang can work,,lol

like others say maybe they not see a mower before,,

it might be a TV member collecting evidence as to your illegal working in Thailand and is going to report you to his buddy, the investigator at the department of labour

If you are annoyed by it, there is only one solution. Build a Higher Fence so they can't look in

take their picture...and make it obvious

It must be very confusing not being able to say hello in Thai or even offer them a polite wave or smile.

All Thais understand the word "Hello".

but they are better at 'hello' when on the phone, rather than face to face to farang

Maybe they look on you as a unfriendly creepy farang?

not as creepy as dudes in Malaysia - one just had to come over to daintly touch the warm seat on my bike

OP:

You never read Tom Sawyer, did you?

tell them in thai " why do't you take a picture, it lasts longer"

Did you never stop to ogle an E-type jag or a Ferrari on someones drive when you had never seen one before? Would you expect to be called creepy or to be casing the joint simply for looking at such a beautiful machine?

You should have seen the number of interested sightseers that showed up when we unloaded a 40' container packed with a disassembled John Deere Harvester, all 117 pieces, that I imported from the US. I should have sold tickets! Next time they come by invite them in to help you cut the grass, they can do the trimming while you cut. Watch how fast they disappear!

Edited September 28, 201411 yr by wayned

Unless they work on a golf course they've probably never seen a lawnmower up close and personal.

Being a born delegator (and naturally lazy), I'd invite them to learn how to use it to increase their skillset that may lead to a new and lucrative career, convince them they need hours of exposure to become proficient in its use, and set up a weekly roster for them to come and mow my lawns.

Of course, I wouldn't charge them for the training and I'd give them free use of the lawnmower - I'll even supply the petrol for free. But I'd suggest that a bottle of beer coming my way occasionally wouldn't go amiss.

Unless they work on a golf course they've probably never seen a lawnmower up close and personal.

Being a born delegator (and naturally lazy), I'd invite them to learn how to use it to increase their skillset that may lead to a new and lucrative career, convince them they need hours of exposure to become proficient in its use, and set up a weekly roster for them to come and mow my lawns.

Of course, I wouldn't charge them for the training and I'd give them free use of the lawnmower - I'll even supply the petrol for free. But I'd suggest that a bottle of beer coming my way occasionally wouldn't go amiss.

I like the way you think! The only downside is them dragging the mower over a foot wearing only flip-flops...things could turn right nasty, what with the ducks eating the toes and all

" Creepy village idiots" ???

Let's think about that a bit.

Creepy = something unfamiliar that does not fit in and makes you uncomfortable.

You are the one who is unfamiliar and does not fit in, maybe you make them uncomfortable?

You are the "Creepy one"

"Village idiot"

You are in their village spending much time, money, and water to grow something that you can not eat and serves no practical reason except maybe to remind you of where you belong and where lawns an are acceptable waste, of water and money.

(Note: I have a degree and in Horticulture and know that nothing you can grow takes more water, time and maintenance than a lawn. Irrigation of lawns is often outlawed in times of drought in the USA!)

If you are not informed, there is a drought here in Thailand now...water is precious, when the rainy season is over, you should allow your lawn to die rather than waste water keeping it green and pretty.

Farmers will need the water to feed people!

It seems you are the idiot in the village wasting time money and water on something totally useless in their ( and my ) eyes.

Don't be so critical and distrustful of the people who were born here and belong here..

I don't know where you are from, but this is not East L.A., the South side of Chicago or any other western place you have lived.

People are people everywhere and all like to look at strange people doing unreasonable things.

Look in the mirror before calling anyone else a" Creepy village idiot"!

Unless they work on a golf course they've probably never seen a lawnmower up close and personal.

Being a born delegator (and naturally lazy), I'd invite them to learn how to use it to increase their skillset that may lead to a new and lucrative career, convince them they need hours of exposure to become proficient in its use, and set up a weekly roster for them to come and mow my lawns.

Of course, I wouldn't charge them for the training and I'd give them free use of the lawnmower - I'll even supply the petrol for free. But I'd suggest that a bottle of beer coming my way occasionally wouldn't go amiss.

I like the way you think! The only downside is them dragging the mower over a foot wearing only flip-flops...things could turn right nasty, what with the ducks eating the toes and all

Steel capped Jandals would be compulsory.

They have never seen a lawn mower....or a set of golf clubs, bowling balls, water-skis,..........

If I saw you using a mower my first thought would be where you got from?, did you import it?, how much did it cost?, is it worth the hassle when a strimmer does the job?.

I would of had a good stare too.

creepy village idiots..........????

I strongly recommend you change your attitude immediately.

Is this a rider mower or a push mower? How big is your yard. Less than 1 rai, seems like a waste for a rider.