What is the best way to deal with security guards?

[Bigfarang1948]

Ignore them, like all other servants.

Do not wai, nod, greet or in anyway acknowledge their presence as human beings.

Yes. Treat them like dirt. That will foster better relations for sure. If you want to talk to them, learn to speak Thai. Other than that I am dying to know what having dental work done here has to do with security guards? Surely you must now the difference between a security guard, bogus or not, and a Dentist.

[Yoshimura]

You are reading to much into my statement, I was just copying a statement that was made earlier from a post that referred to the security as servants and that's all. I guess you missed the point I was trying to make and read to far in between what I was trying to say. These posts are basically opinions and we all have different experiences while spending time in Thailand, so don't take it to heart, I can speak Thai and I have been able to gain a better understanding on how Thai's view farlngs. I am a little curious on how you think they view Farlangs? I'd like to hear your views if you have any? I have had some great experiences since I have been here so don't get me wrong, I enjoy living here and I am just viewing it from a realistic approach and based on what I've seen and heard talking to Thai's and their views of farlangs.

[Yoshimura]

Hermesalpha,

I hope you the comment I made some sense to you and didn't read to far into as some of the posters did, good luck.

[2fishin2]

At my condo there is a great "security" guard. Hes an older gentleman and smart as hell. He is single with no family. I fish alot and bring him fish on occasion. I also cook and make sure to take care of him when Im in the cooking mood. We've had a little bit of construction going on here with some real buffoon contractors. We stand outside and laugh together at all the stupid things they do. There are always those diamonds mixed in with the poop. Sometimes just a little friendly conversation goes further than you might think.

[scubascuba3]

Why would they be laughing at you? Hairpiece perhaps? Bad dress sense? (You know sandals and socks kind of thing), dyed hair, freak of nature? If none of these apply it's probably your imagination

[grumpyoldman]

You are reading to much into my statement, I was just copying a statement that was made earlier from a post that referred to the security as servants and that's all. I guess you missed the point I was trying to make and read to far in between what I was trying to say. These posts are basically opinions and we all have different experiences while spending time in Thailand, so don't take it to heart, I can speak Thai and I have been able to gain a better understanding on how Thai's view farlngs. I am a little curious on how you think they view Farlangs? I'd like to hear your views if you have any? I have had some great experiences since I have been here so don't get me wrong, I enjoy living here and I am just viewing it from a realistic approach and based on what I've seen and heard talking to Thai's and their views of farlangs.

Not going to make a grand generalization about how all Thais view foreigners. Definitely not a realistic approach.

[watcharacters]

Isn't it generally OK and perhaps expected to show respect to others?

[watcharacters]

Cake. Give security a cup cake every day for a week.

She lost her head with that approach in the past, but why not try it again ?

[John1thru10]

John 1 thru 10, it seems as if though you took my post personal, it's a realistic view and not necessarily negative but this is a different culture and if you think you know Thai people based on your interaction with them, than your social paths are much different. Let me guess I take you are probably married or have a thai girl that you give money to and her family as well, based on your response to my post I think you are naïve. I think you need to get out more and try different social paths.

Sorry..but your guesses are completely off base. You seem only able to imagine the most negative explanations for things, and that's the point. Even making assumptions that I give money to Thai girls and their families? You're just really off base about that. I've seen a lot in Thailand, over years; from wild bar girls to highsociety, to working at fancy nightclubs, and watching my friends organize the events at the Royal Palace. I've seen plenty. And I'm saying, your views are way too negative to match my experience. It makes me guess you maybe need to get out (of yourself) a little more - no offense.

Edited January 10, 2015 by John1thru10

[poweratradio]

What do you do in the presence of police, wet yourself?

I think it is the innate fear of uniforms bred into some cultures. China comes to mind?

[thailandusauk]

You don't need to treat your teeth but your brain...

[Xrey24]

Ignore them, like all other servants.

Do not wai, nod, greet or in anyway acknowledge their presence as human beings.

Typical American attitude.

They ARE human beings.

Even if it's the Land of smiles, did you ever try to smile first?

[grumpyoldman]

Ignore them, like all other servants.

Do not wai, nod, greet or in anyway acknowledge their presence as human beings.

Typical American attitude.

They ARE human beings.

Even if it's the Land of smiles, did you ever try to smile first?

You too with the grand generalizations huh? Paint a whole group of people with one brush? Also, you are aware of a form of humor called sarcasm yes? Tough to see in the written word but I think applies here.

[donmeurett]

Ignore them, like all other servants.

Do not wai, nod, greet or in anyway acknowledge their presence as human beings.

If People would treat others as they expect to be treated their self it would be a better world to live in. With a attitude as quoted above no wonder it is as f---ed up as it is. If you think you are better than anyone else and have a negative attitude you deserve nothing but disrespect from others.

[Yoshimura]

No offense taken but I see that you can only accept your views and no others and that's ok. I am not negative and I am not saying anything bad about Thai people. End of discussion, we agree to disagree. no problem have a nice day.

[John1thru10]

John 1 thru 10, it seems as if though you took my post personal, it's a realistic view and not necessarily negative but this is a different culture and if you think you know Thai people based on your interaction with them, than your social paths are much different. Let me guess I take you are probably married or have a thai girl that you give money to and her family as well, based on your response to my post I think you are naïve. I think you need to get out more and try different social paths.

Man, you come off as super arrogant. "Personally I don't pay servants any kind of attention", since when are security people servants? What social paths are you on when your brain is working in master and servant mode? In this last post you are making massive assumptions.

To the OP, politeness always works, and then beyond just being polite in the interaction, don't worry about them. Seems you've got your knickers pinched up in a whole lot of nothing.

I'll admit that when I was in China, I was often more confused with people's reactions - harsher facial expressions, perhaps, as a social norm. Poland is brutal that way, really. I've lived there and I learned quickly that smiling towards strangers in Eastern Europe was not considered cool, ha It goes against my nature so I never felt I belonged there much. Strangers in Paris could be pretty rough, for me. Some places you fit with, and some you don't. It means as much about us as it does about them.

[Suradit69]

Ignore them, like all other servants.

Do not wai, nod, greet or in anyway acknowledge their presence as human beings.

Well now you've given away one of the secrets from the Farang Guide on How to Treat All Thais. Turn in your secret decoder ring. Your subscription has been cancelled.

[A1Str8]

Ignore them, like all other servants.

Do not wai, nod, greet or in anyway acknowledge their presence as human beings.

Agree!

[Monkeyrobot]

Hire yourself your own security guard he can also escort you to the dentist. Get the one with those click things on his heels so when he snaps his legs together with a salute he scares the shit out of everybody, you can also teach him to do other tricks a well to impress your friends.

[Gringogazzer]

I had this conversation a couple of days ago because I can't get my head round that they keep saluting me.

That feeling of Bwana goes against my grain.

In the Mall the other day which brought it up, & more than several times in Bangkok the security guard bolts upright, clicks his heals together (gastapo style) then gives me a perfect salute.

Told the wife she should be doing this every morning at the end of the bed holding a cup of tea. Today she did.

The guard at the apartment salutes me once every day when I return. If he's sat down in his booth, he'll leave what he's doing, stand & salute.

I want to tell him "don't worry yourself about it, just make sure no-one touches the bike" but it's his thing.

Every time I give a nod of recognition, no smile. A salute is too serious for a smile.

I think Asians take a uniform far too serious but it's woven into the whole of society.

[Minnehaha]

Ignore them, like all other servants.

Do not wai, nod, greet or in anyway acknowledge their presence as human beings.

Absolutely the first step.

If interaction is unavoidable, then smile first, be polite, and remember 99% of them come from a small village in the middle of nowhere, have no education, have had little training (besides how to put on a uniform and where to sit, how to blow a whistle, and how to march in order), and are living in an undeveloped country. How could they be any different? And have compassion.

If they are guards in my building where I live then I waive and give them small gifts like if I go out for lunch or an iced tea I get an extra one if it is on a hot day and give it to them. I do the same once in a while if I buy some naam tao hoo in the winter. Or if we are getting rid of old things we might give it to the guards (although the maid gets most everything - we love her and she has the key to our condo )

It helps if you speak Thai. But even if you don't and are patient and let them do their jobs, 90% of the time it works out.

Do not piss them off or make enemies under any circumstances. This is true of all Thais who work for you or around you or who you need to see on a regular basis. It is never worth it to be "right". There is always a middle path of peace and serenity.

If a building is burgled or the like, it is often the guards who did it. Disgruntled guards are always the first ones under suspicion.

[hansgruber]

This is ridiculous.

Troll got what he wanted, a reaction.

[nithisa78]

Sounds like a personal problem.

[LivinginKata]

Lots of negative/unhelpful/troll posts being deleted.

Since the OP has never replied back - let's call this topic a day // CLOSED//

The OP can PM me if he wants it re-open.