Popular Post ScarpoFongness4U Posted April 21, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 21, 2015 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 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post bkkmick Posted April 21, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 21, 2015 However badly you spell it, you are one. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post WitawatWatawit Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 So, Steve from Miami, is it OK to call you a seppo? (C'mon, have a laugh - sounds like you need it - :) ) 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gecko123 Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) 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 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post rijit Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) 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 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MaeJoMTB Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) 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 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Naam Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 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 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MaeJoMTB Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) 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 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SoiBiker Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 You can call yourself what you like. I'm a farang, and I don't have a problem using the word to describe myself. 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WitawatWatawit Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 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.) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SoiBiker Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 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'? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazwa Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 So, what do I serve to the young lady who asks for nam falang??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Gecko123 Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) 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 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Seligne2 Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 You don't use the word "Asian" ever? Same difference, nothing pejorative about "farang". 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stoplookingatmyscreen Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 time to get a life chap 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Water Buffalo Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rijit Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SoiBiker Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 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. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoiBiker Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 Or is 'white' racist too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costas2008 Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 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. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoiBiker Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 How about 'beige'? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post MilesofSmiles Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 So, what do I serve to the young lady who asks for nam falang??? A facial ? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScarpoFongness4U Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Water Buffalo Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) <script type='text/javascript'>window.mod_pagespeed_start = Number(new Date());</script> 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 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) 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 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sipi Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 I would rather be called a farang than an alien or an infidel. Doesn't bother me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoiBiker Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 What's wrong with being called an alien? It's a perfectly legitimate, neutral term for what most of us here are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Jingthing Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 (edited) 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 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HooHaa Posted April 22, 2015 Share Posted April 22, 2015 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post SoiBiker Posted April 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted April 22, 2015 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. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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