time to stop self describing as a flaung.... spelled the way they pronounce it

[ScarpoFongness4U]

Today my friend from NY who has lived in Thailand 16 years now,

Called himself a flaung, in the third person stating,

"This flaung......."

I told him he sounded like an idiot using that term to describe himself and I see westerners, whether American or otherwise using it too casually that I have decided to express this thought

It occurs to me that too many Westerners are OK with being all lumped together in a one syllable word that sounds like someone is spitting up a lugie

Each time a person allows himself to be categorized like this makes it that much longer for the next generation, including Thai mixed race children of being accepted in the overall Thai society

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but they can call us whatever they want, but we should not continue the term.

It may take a generation but it worked for me, as I politely told people I met there that I was American, not falong, or falafel or whatever else they use to describe handsum good looking white guys.

They usually just laughed, took another swig, or another hit, and then called me falung, anyway,

But after a few more encounters they usually called me what I wanted to be called which is Steve from Miami.

Flaong, Falange, Falung,

It all sounds the same to me and I didn't allow people to call me what sounds like something I just spit out of my lung,

And for the sake of the children born to western and Thai parents,

Let's help them with their acceptance

I may never have said anything if not for my old bald ugly friend, who takes care of grandchildren of his Thai wife, and who sends them to school to learn English, thus I giving them access to the world

Think about this before just flaming away

All change starts with one person

[bkkmick]

However badly you spell it, you are one.

[WitawatWatawit]

So, Steve from Miami, is it OK to call you a seppo?

(C'mon, have a laugh - sounds like you need it - :) )

[Gecko123]

If you want to worry about mixed race children, worry about them back in the States where racial divisions and tensions are 100 times greater than they are here in Thailand.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Gecko123

[rijit]

Today my friend from NY who has lived in Thailand 16 years now,

Called himself a flaung, in the third person stating,

"This flaung......."

I told him he sounded like an idiot using that term to describe himself and I see westerners, whether American or otherwise using it too casually that I have decided to express this thought

It occurs to me that too many Westerners are OK with being all lumped together in a one syllable word that sounds like someone is spitting up a lugie

Each time a person allows himself to be categorized like this makes it that much longer for the next generation, including Thai mixed race children of being accepted in the overall Thai society

Maybe I'm wrong about this, but they can call us whatever they want, but we should not continue the term.

It may take a generation but it worked for me, as I politely told people I met there that I was American, not falong, or falafel or whatever else they use to describe handsum good looking white guys.

They usually just laughed, took another swig, or another hit, and then called me falung, anyway,

But after a few more encounters they usually called me what I wanted to be called which is Steve from Miami.

Flaong, Falange, Falung,

It all sounds the same to me and I didn't allow people to call me what sounds like something I just spit out of my lung,

And for the sake of the children born to western and Thai parents,

Let's help them with their acceptance

I may never have said anything if not for my old bald ugly friend, who takes care of grandchildren of his Thai wife, and who sends them to school to learn English, thus I giving them access to the world

Think about this before just flaming away

All change starts with one person[/quo

yep I abso' hate it .makes me cringe everytime i hear it being used . and iMO makes people who use it about themselves sound pathetically ridiculous.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

Edited April 22, 2015 by rijit

[MaeJoMTB]

I agree.

But remember, the apologists NEED to believe it's a term of affection.

PS

I refuse to sit with anyone (Thai or foreigner) who uses it.

Until they've had someone call them up on it, and move to another table, they'll carry on.

Edited April 22, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[Naam]

I agree.

But remember, the apologists NEED to believe it's a term of affection.

PS

I refuse to sit with anyone (Thai or foreigner) who uses it.

Until they've had someone call them up on it, and move to another table, they'll carry on.

you won't sit with me? that breaks my heart

[MaeJoMTB]

I agree.

But remember, the apologists NEED to believe it's a term of affection.

PS

I refuse to sit with anyone (Thai or foreigner) who uses it.

Until they've had someone call them up on it, and move to another table, they'll carry on.

you won't sit with me? that breaks my heart

I would have trouble not mentioning the war.

(Anyway wouldn't you be calling everyone Auslander?)

Edited April 22, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[SoiBiker]

You can call yourself what you like.

I'm a farang, and I don't have a problem using the word to describe myself.

[WitawatWatawit]

Serious for a moment. I too do not like the word, but don't go around remonstrating about it - I guess because over time you become inured to it. If I need to refer to foreigners, I use the word "foreigner". Most Thais (IME, but you should test this yourself) understand that word. And if they don't, I introduce them to it - . Bottom line - chill, protect your blood pressure and only use the word "foreigner". (It's worked with my colleagues, btw. Although with a couple of them, with whom I have a long and close working relationship, we use "farang" when joking or horsing around - no problem for me.)

[SoiBiker]

Why get upset about people using a Thai word in Thailand?

I can't see any reason, unless you're one of these silly people that think making any sort of reference to someone's race is racist.

I don't mind if you call me 'white' - so why would I mind if you call me 'farang'?

[gazwa]

So, what do I serve to the young lady who asks for nam falang???

[Gecko123]

The only people who refer to me as a farang are people who don't know my name.

As soon as I tell them my name, people seem to remember it forever, and never call me 'farang' ever again.

School children would never call a luk krueng or foreign classmate a farang. Everyone would be called by their name or nickname. The argument that use of 'farang' causes a hardship for mixed race children or stymies their social integration doesn't hold any water with me whatsoever.

If some people on these forums would spend a little time learning the language instead of endlessly bitching about trivial issues such as this the world would be a better place.

By the way, ScarpoFongness, the word 'farang' when properly pronounced doesn't sound like someone hocking up a loogie. I wish I could say the same about your name.

Edit: And another thing...

You're at the fresh market in a neighboring province and you want to know if there are many foreigners living in the area. Do you ask:

a. Are there many non-Thais living here?

b. Are there many people who look like me living here?

c. Are there many white people living here?

d. Are there many foreigners living here? (If no one understands the English word 'foreigner', is it OK to use 'farang', the Thai word for 'foreigner' in this situation? Is that OK with you guys? Pretty please tell me it's OK. It's OK, right?

Edited April 22, 2015 by Gecko123

[Seligne2]

You don't use the word "Asian" ever? Same difference, nothing pejorative about "farang".

[stoplookingatmyscreen]

time to get a life chap

[Water Buffalo]

I use the following words and phrases: Asian, black, Middle Eastern, Scandinavian, sort of Italian looking, Russian looking, Latin, Indian....a westerner (which is pretty much the exact definition of "farang").

Would you prefer if they called you westerner? Is it bad that they say it in their own language?

Sorry, but maybe they don't know you name or that you are from America.

Also, i will sometimes say gays, Christians, Muslims, Atheists, scientists, nerds.....it helps talking about the topic of discussion. Other wise, it gets pretty difficult talking about something if you don't use the name.

I think you are over sensitive.

I do agree that Thais are pretty racist and discriminatory, by nature. They simply don't see anything wrong in it.

I think racism is bad, but the word farang itself doesn't bother me.

[rijit]

people that use it fully realising that people object to it /find it offensive, personally i put it in the same bracket as calling an afro american a n--g-r , what would you call them? clever? stupid, bit of a <deleted> or just plain ignorant,? me i'de be nice and go the last,

Catorgorising someone by the color of their skin,.as i believe by its definition farang doas, is racist not sensitive or 'thai' just plain racist. and using it ' because they do aint an excuse its just ignorant.

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[SoiBiker]

It's not a racist term. If you want, you can decide that you think the word means something different, but don't expect the rest of us to stop using it just because you're wrong.

Simply referring to someone's race is not racist, by the way.

[SoiBiker]

Or is 'white' racist too?

[Costas2008]

Or is 'white' racist too?

Don't know if it is racist but I would be offended if they call me white.

I spend hours under the sun to get brown and also spend a lot of money to buy sun care products and have somebody to call me white?

He/she will definitely be in trouble.

[SoiBiker]

How about 'beige'?

[MilesofSmiles]

So, what do I serve to the young lady who asks for nam falang???

A facial ?

[ScarpoFongness4U]

The OP is an attempt to stop non Thais from using it to self describe

You wont stop everyone but my friends know I want to called by my name and the name I answer to the Thai girls is

Man dingo

[Water Buffalo]

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It's not a racist term. If you want, you can decide that you think the word means something different, but don't expect the rest of us to stop using it just because you're wrong.

Simply referring to someone's race is not racist, by the way.

We can agree on that for sure.

I wonder when people will stop categorizing each other by race, since scientifically (biologically) there is no such thing.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Water Buffalo

[Jingthing]

It's bad enough that the Orientals in Thailand use it.

European descent individuals and all other foreigners in Thailand should not fall into the trap of buying into Thailand's very peculiar racial classifications.

Can't change them but no need to approve by following their lead on that.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Jingthing

[sipi]

I would rather be called a farang than an alien or an infidel.

Doesn't bother me.

[SoiBiker]

What's wrong with being called an alien? It's a perfectly legitimate, neutral term for what most of us here are.

[Jingthing]

I would rather be called a farang than an alien or an infidel.

Doesn't bother me.

The question is NOT what The Orientals call us in Thailand but rather what we call OURSELVES!

Let The Orientals in Thailand use whatever terms they like and by no means be bothered by it ... that's what THEY do.

But that doesn't mean we need to play their game.

If you're really a "flaung" how come the moment you leave Thai airspace, you're not?

Because you never were in the first place.

It's in the brainwashing of The Orientals of Thailand. Let them keep it ... keep your brain intact.

Edited April 22, 2015 by Jingthing

[HooHaa]

couldn't care less if i am being treated well, i find actions much more pejorative than words.

given the multiplicity of spellings the OP attributes to the word i reckon its quite clear his understanding of spoken thai is quite limited.

[SoiBiker]

I would rather be called a farang than an alien or an infidel.

Doesn't bother me.

The question is NOT what The Orientals call us in Thailand but rather what we call OURSELVES!

Let The Orientals in Thailand use whatever terms they like and by no means be bothered by it ... that's what THEY do.

But that doesn't mean we need to play their game.

But this thread isn't about what we call ourselves - its about seeking to control what other people call themselves.

You can call yourself whatever you like. But don't tell me what I can call myself. Especially when I'm using a harmless and convenient word from the language of the country I've chosen to live in.