flyingsaucersarereal Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 I feel like flaunting your wealth is one of the dumbest things a person can do. It is like putting a bullseye on you and making you a target for thieves. I have been riding on a motorcycle in traffic and seen a man yank a gold chain right off a womans neck. Having expensive rings and gold jewelery just increases your chances of being robbed and assaulted. How many times do you read about a necklace snatch in Thailand? Almost everyday but yet flaunting your wealth is a goal of most Thai people. How about when you are trying to buy something large like a car or boat. Is it wise to look like you are made of money if you are trying to haggle on the price? This is not only Thai people so don't jump on me about Thai bashing I see people in America driving cars bought on credit cards and other ridiculous things too. But I can't think of why you would want to be a target like this. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post wprime Posted October 15, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 15, 2014 As a general rule, the more money you show, the more money you'll be expected to spend to maintain the same level of relationship with Thai people. So if you enjoy throwing money around, by all means flaunt your wealth, otherwise you're better off with the humble approach - you'll attract better type of friends. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukrules Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 I think it all comes back to 'face'. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AYJAYDEE Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 I think it all comes back to 'face'. Do you call it "face" when it happens in your home country? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post sdanielmcev Posted October 15, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 15, 2014 Well, OP, what should someone do with their wealth? To me, if you got it, flaunt it. Chicks dig it. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post AYJAYDEE Posted October 15, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 15, 2014 Well, OP, what should someone do with their wealth? To me, if you got it, flaunt it. Chicks dig it. so do thieves 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukrules Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 I think it all comes back to 'face'. Do you call it "face" when it happens in your home country? Not really but it's the same thing, people might call it gloating or showing off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post cgphuket Posted October 15, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 15, 2014 The people who try to show off and buy attention are the same ones who later cry "They only wanted me for my money!!!" 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meatboy Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 its not so much that the have's like to flaunt it,its the dont have,s get my goat,expecially when in co,we are THINKING OF BUYING THIS AND THAT,yet they are up to their kneck in debt.but they cant help theirselves to trump them that have,and are thinking about going to have.as for wearing gold in public serve them right if they get mugged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ace of Pop Posted October 15, 2014 Share Posted October 15, 2014 Only Envious Folk take any notice,or bother to comment. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gecko123 Posted October 16, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 16, 2014 I am positively secretive when it comes to discussing net worth or income. If you do, people will either be jealous, look down on you, call you cheap, or ask for a loan. There is no upside. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdinasia Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I wonder if the OP has ever bought a boat or car in Thailand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkcanuck8 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I was hired by a small company 25 years ago (a company / related company that I have worked on and off for for 20 years) which was owned at the time by the son (3rd generation of wealth) of a family that was probably worth close to half a billion dollars. I have met both his father, and his brothers - and none of them ever flaunted their wealth. Yes they have nice places to live, nice cars but not what you would call exorbitant. Nothing that would indicate that they were rich beyond having to work. Having to flaunt your wealth is more a sign of your own insecurities, and is not really financially wise (or criminally wise as being targetted). If you care that much at what other people think - you will never be happy. Funny side note: As a side note, when we were moving to new building he was showing me around the new offices, and I saw some modern looking paintings - I am not a big fan of "modern art" and I was joking.... which way is up.... I got an elbow in my mid-section.... he whispered to me that his mother painted them (and his father and mother were right behind me). 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bertty Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Funny side note: As a side note, when we were moving to new building he was showing me around the new offices, and I saw some modern looking paintings - I am not a big fan of "modern art" and I was joking.... which way is up.... I got an elbow in my mid-section.... he whispered to me that his mother painted them (and his father and mother were right behind me). Nice one. A chuckle to start the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emster23 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 "It is like putting a bullseye on you and making you a target for thieves." Psst: as farangs we already have bulls eyes. Flaunting $$ just adds a strobe to the effect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Costas2008 Posted October 16, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 16, 2014 I am positively secretive when it comes to discussing net worth or income. If you do, people will either be jealous, look down on you, call you cheap, or ask for a loan. There is no upside. Sir, any chance of a loan? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacko45k Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Unless you are flaunting it, there really isn't much point buying it is there? Anyhow I had my stupidity yanked off my neck already and I hence I wised up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Berkshire Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 "flaunting your wealth is a goal of most Thai people." Did you just make this up OP? I don't see this at all. It's the goal of most to increase their wealth, not necessarily to flaunt it. Do you consider everyone in the west who wears expensive jewelry or drives expensive cars to be flaunting? Most of the folks I see flaunting in Thailand are farang men trying to impress young females, which I think is a silly thing to do. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattk1 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Flaunting my wealth has never been an issue for me... I don't have any!! :-D 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robblok Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I am positively secretive when it comes to discussing net worth or income. If you do, people will either be jealous, look down on you, call you cheap, or ask for a loan. There is no upside. Good point, though if they meet you at your home they get the picture in the end. It s not like you can hide it all. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
attrayant Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Flaunting wealth is the national past time. It's all about how many Mercedes Benzes you have. My inlaws are extremely proud of all three of their Benzes, even though they're all around 30 years old, emit a foul stench and have various internal parts (glove box, sun visors, etc) being held together with duct tape. I bought a suzuki swift last year which they turned up their nose at, but now they admit it's nice to have a car where you don't need to get out and push every so often. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post williet98248 Posted October 16, 2014 Popular Post Share Posted October 16, 2014 It seems that as a farang in Thailand you already have a target on your back that says, "I am rich, take my money." Why surround that target with neon by flaunting your money? I have been here twelve years. I have a reasonable income. Back in the old days when I was single and used to visited the bars I always bought the girl a drink, after all you are renting her time, but I never bought a round for her pals and I never rang the bell. I would always tell them up front "Sorry, I am not rich; I have no money". If they wandered off to find better pickings, so be it. I once considered buying a mid 80s Mercedes Benz for the quality but decided against it as people would look at it and think 'He has money.' even though it only cost about 250K baht. Drive a 97 VW Vento. I dress well but no gold chains and rings. My only concession is a moderately priced real Rolex watch. If heading out to the seedier side I wear a cheap watch. I never flash a roll. If you need to impress people by flaunting your cash you need to be accept that someone will want to relieve you of it, either by stealing it or scamming it. I don't trust any Thai person where money is concerned. Even my gem of a girl who I have been together with for two years and never asks me for money doesn't have access to my bank accounts, insurance policies, etc. Before I moved here I trusted everyone until they proved me wrong. In Thailand I have learned to not trust anyone until they prove trustworthy. Don't get me wrong; I love Thailand and have built a good life here but I am not stupid...anymore. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toscano Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Poor people do it because it gives them a sense of self worth and status . In reality it is very foolish and risks theft and injury , especially in a third world country . From another point of view Foreigners should not flaunt wealth , as they will soon be taken advantage of . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thehelmsman Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Does flaunting include buying a round of beers ? I've been targeted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HidyHo Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 ... Having to flaunt your wealth is more a sign of your own insecurities ... I think similar logic is applicable for people who care about (judge) what other people do and how they live their lives ... MYOB applies. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kurnell Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I wear an Omega but most people don't think it's real Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfinglife Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Well, OP, what should someone do with their wealth? To me, if you got it, flaunt it. Chicks dig it. A small penis syndrome? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkcanuck8 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 (edited) I think similar logic is applicable for people who care about (judge) what other people do and how they live their lives ... MYOB applies. That is like telling someone not to think. People make judgements about everything -- it influences how they live their life. There is a difference between making an observation, thinking, and making judgements and their actions. I could not care a less about someone flaunting their wealth, don't care that they have money - but I do make judgements about people's behaviour all the time. I remember riding an elevator down in a hotel in Singapore at checkout time with two other people. One spent the whole time having their wristwatch lose and making sure to rattle it - and make everyone aware that he was wearing an expensive watch. I would of not have noticed it since I don't notice expensive jewelry - but then when some is shaking it to make sure it is noticed -- even I notice. Of course if I was a criminal I would have noticed it even without it being rattled. I made judgements about the mentality of someone doing that, did not bother saying anything because it was none of my business.... Are you saying you don't think, don't observe, and don't make judgements? Edited October 16, 2014 by bkkcanuck8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfinglife Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 Well, OP, what should someone do with their wealth? To me, if you got it, flaunt it. Chicks dig it. A small penis syndrome? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkkcanuck8 Posted October 16, 2014 Share Posted October 16, 2014 I wear an Omega but most people don't think it's real My friend in Singapore has an Omega as well... He does not wear it it sits in a safety deposit box, he does wear a knockoff of it though.... he said it is so good it took 10 minutes comparing the two visually to notice any difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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