Is it ok for your girlfriend to call you farang to her friends?

[richard_smith237]

You might find many more posters who pity you and your friends for being treated like mugs by Thai's who refer to them in such a manner on a daily basis...

Respect is mutual, but clearly those Thai's with whom you associate don't think so.

You should learn to read first before commenting on a post here, I posted that all Thai use the word Farang, not just the people I associate with, it is not racist or not respectful just normal Thai language, the problem is not the word or the Thai use of the word it is the stupid thin skinned Farangs that take exception to the word Farang, , lighten up and accept the country and its language as it is, I have been here 8 years now and never been offended ever by the word Farang,

Unless I am mistaken it seems you are perfectly happy to hang around with people who would refer to you as 'The Farang' instead of by name...

If you can't see why this could seem disrespectful it seems you are socialising comfortably within your level.

You again have misunderstood what I have written , you really do have a problem, I have only commented on the word "Farang" I say it is a every day word in the Thai language, and Farangs should accept it and get on with life, you also refuse to accept the reference to the Robertson's Practical Dictionary about the meaning of the word Farang I quote, I guess if the facts don't suit you just take no notice of it, why the insult , that only proves you are very thin skinned I only Say you did not read something correct that is not insulting . by the ways my name is almost imposable for Thais to pronounce my wife still has problems after 4 years. but I don't get called the Farang, never been insulted by any Thai to my face in 8 years. I guess the Thais I associate with are very nice people.

It seems as though they are. And apologies for any insult... It seems we are discussing the use of the word Farang in different contexts.

The context I and many others continue to discuss is that opened by the Op: His girlfriend referring to him on the phone as 'Farang' (where the implication would be 'The Farang')... That the use of the word 'Farang' exists in polite context is not in doubt.

If I am not mistaken you are quite acceptant of its use in any context and hear it on a daily basis, whereas others, myself included find its use in some contexts quite disrespectful. i.e. IF my Wife, Friends or Family were to refer to me as Farang instead of by name (pretty much covering the OP's initial query).

Anyway - This thread has gone round in enough circles now...

[LawrenceN]

There are people around here that are referred to by different terms: Isaan, (Lao), Cambodia, Thai, Chinese and at the bottom, Farang. In order of occurrence. It doesn't matter. You aren't being called the equivalent of a nigger.

Correct. It means European-type person, not any foreigner. Not Filipinos, or Chinese, or Africans.

I am an American. It used to bother me, but that's what we are, when it's necessary to mention our ethnicity. There's nothing derogatory about it, though I admit, I'm still annoyed when I'm minding my own business and someone shouts it at me for no apparent reason. I ain't running no freak show, bitches. But when my Aussie friends refer to me as a Yank (and so on), I don't fly off the handle. It's the same thing.

But as a (white) American, I must add that it is we who are over-sensitized to these racial designations. I suppose the same is true for most of us English-speakers if not most Europeans. We have been told repeatedly that it's rude to refer to someone only by his race. I agree; it's dehumanizing. Remember, though, that Thai people weren't educated or sensitized in the same way. For much of their history, Thailand has been a one-race society, and Europeans have been rare.

All that said, you should remind your GF that you have a name and that she should use it. Her friends, poorly educated as they may be in these matters, can learn to do the same, even if they can't understand why. GF should support you in this, and tell her friends that's what's expected. You're not "the dog." You're "somewhereinengland."

[MrTee]

Everyone in my house calls me Dad, Brother or Uncle.

I once, a long time ago, listened in on a conversation "bing ding blah FARANG, blah blah FARANG, FRARANG, Blah ka"..

I asked who they were talking about TG said they were talking about me. actually about where I like to eat.

I told them there and then "My name is Tee, in my house you call me by my name"

Every since then I've not heard Farang used to refer to me.

I don't see "Farang" as an insult, but I do feel it is impersonal.. and if I'm paying the bills you'll play by my rules.

End of!

Hi-So eh.............

Good lord no..

No one in my house is hi-so.

[merlen10002]

I wouldn't be happy if any of my family or friends in the UK referred to my Wife as 'The Asian' or 'The Thai'...

Equally so I wouldn't be happy if over heard my Thai Family refer to me as 'The Farang' or 'The Englishman'...

They know my name.

If the Ops Girlfriend thought of the Op with respect and the person she was speaking with did not know his name, she could easily refer to him as 'my Boyfriend'.

I can't think of any scenario where a girl referring to her boyfriend as 'Farang' is respectful...

However, there is a caveat - if his Girlfriend is uneducated and ignorant the use of the term 'farang' in his presence (or behind his back) in the context of simply identifying him maybe more commonly used without ill intention. In this case, if it upsets the Op I'd suggest he shoots a little higher on the socio-economic-educational ladder...

Wow you really are hung up on the social level thing ,, are you a Hi So Farang , not many of them around , should we all be honoured you are posting here with us low ones, but I have to tell you no Thai would say THE Farang they don't speak that way, are you just new here or do you live in the UK , if you live here you don't know about Thai speech.

[NanLaew]

I reckon some here would have to google "context".

While they're at it, they can also look up "insecurity".

Haha.. and some should google the word "loser"

I guess there are farangs and by the same token, there are farang losers. I reckon you must be much more familiar with the latter.

[richard_smith237]

I wouldn't be happy if any of my family or friends in the UK referred to my Wife as 'The Asian' or 'The Thai'...

Equally so I wouldn't be happy if over heard my Thai Family refer to me as 'The Farang' or 'The Englishman'...

They know my name.

If the Ops Girlfriend thought of the Op with respect and the person she was speaking with did not know his name, she could easily refer to him as 'my Boyfriend'.

I can't think of any scenario where a girl referring to her boyfriend as 'Farang' is respectful...

However, there is a caveat - if his Girlfriend is uneducated and ignorant the use of the term 'farang' in his presence (or behind his back) in the context of simply identifying him maybe more commonly used without ill intention. In this case, if it upsets the Op I'd suggest he shoots a little higher on the socio-economic-educational ladder...

Wow you really are hung up on the social level thing ,, are you a Hi So Farang , not many of them around , should we all be honoured you are posting here with us low ones, but I have to tell you no Thai would say THE Farang they don't speak that way, are you just new here or do you live in the UK , if you live here you don't know about Thai speech.

Covered in Post 215....

An inference based on context and translation not transliteration... But I think you knew that already.

i.e. [Khai Kab-Rot pbai song tee laan?]

Q: Who is driving you to the Shops?

A: Farang Kab-rot.

Q: Who is driving you to the Shops?

A: Sa-mee Chaan.

Q: Who is driving you to the Shops?

A: Faan Chaan.

Q: Who is driving you to the Shops?

A: Richard Kab-rot.

In this context: 3 Answers would seem acceptable... however the answer highlighted in red [Farang Kab-rot] would, based on the context of the question imply that the reply is 'The Farang is Driving'... without there being any direct word in Thai for 'The'....

The rest of the baiting ignored...

Whether or not I live in Thailand, or for how long is quite irrelevant other than some juvenile point scoring.

Edited September 1, 2015 by richard_smith237

[Drees]

I reckon some here would have to google "context".

While they're at it, they can also look up "insecurity".

Haha.. and some should google the word "loser"

I guess there are farangs and by the same token, there are farang losers. I reckon you must be much more familiar with the latter.

Haha.. Why you respond to my quote? Are you feeling a little bit insecure about it?

[MrTee]

I reckon some here would have to google "context".

While they're at it, they can also look up "insecurity".

Haha.. and some should google the word "loser"

I guess there are farangs and by the same token, there are farang losers. I reckon you must be much more familiar with the latter.

Haha.. Why you respond to my quote? Are you feeling a little bit insecure about it?

do you crack one off while trolling?

[pbeieio]

My dog has a name and we use it!

[Jip99]

My dog has a name and we use it!

........ Ah!..... but is it a Farang dog ?

[mankondang]

Richard_Smith237

As a student learning to speak Thai I am intrigued and wish to ask for your guidance.

1:

In your i.e

Where you transliterate the English

"Who is driving you to the shops", you use the Thai word SONG for the English TO. I was always under the impression that SONG in Thai is the number two(2). Is it SONG the Thai word for both two (2) and TO. And possibly TOO as well?

Thanks for your assistance.

Many here including myself have commented that they have no issue with the word Farang when used in an appropriate context...

Example: you may overhear shop assistants talking to each other in a shop...'The Farang over there is waiting to be served'...

However, when referred to as 'The Farang' when our name is known seems disrespectful for many.

If you are being referred to as 'The Farang' on a regular basis by people who know your name, or should know your name, regardless of where you believe you fall on the social ladder you are hanging around with people who either don't have the education or are ignorant enough not to recognise their failure in being polite.

And how exactly are these Thai people adding 'the'?

An inference based on context and translation not transliteration... But I think you knew that already.

i.e. [Khai Kab-Rot pbai song tee laan?]

Q: Who is driving you to the Shops?

A: Farang Kab-rot.

Q: Who is driving you to the Shops?

A: Sa-mee Chaan.

Q: Who is driving you to the Shops?

A: Faan Chaan.

Q: Who is driving you to the Shops?

A: Richard Kab-rot.

In this context: 3 Answers would seem acceptable... however the answer highlighted in red [Farang Kab-rot] would, based on the context of the question imply that the reply is 'The Farang is Driving'... without there being any direct word in Thai for 'The'....

Edited September 1, 2015 by mankondang

[Drees]

I reckon some here would have to google "context".

While they're at it, they can also look up "insecurity".

Haha.. and some should google the word "loser"

I guess there are farangs and by the same token, there are farang losers. I reckon you must be much more familiar with the latter.

Haha.. Why you respond to my quote? Are you feeling a little bit insecure about it?

do you crack one off while trolling?

I am not trolling! I was talking serious about this matter. Until "professor" NanLaew was trying to be a smartass...

[chrissables]

My wife is from Surin where they speak Khymer. The Khymer word for Farang is "Prang". The first time I heard the word "prang" she was pointing across the road and I said to her "where is the "rot chon" (car accident) as we refer to these as prangs. My wife and friends sometimes jokingly say "Hello Farang" and I reply "Hello Khon Thai".

A playful example is Khon Asia, that gets them thinking

[mankondang]

My dog has a name and we use it!

........ Ah!..... but is it a Farang dog ?

Yes it could be a Farang dog, especially if it was either a:

German Shepard

French Poodle

English Sheepdog

Welsh Corgi

Irish Wolfhound

Alaskan Malamute

even a Maltese Cross.

But never if it were a Siamese.. Because they are neither Farangs or Dogs

Edited September 1, 2015 by mankondang

[Soutpeel]

Some points to ponder on this question

1. on TV every day, the cultural expert dazzle us by stating All thais are xenophobic and racist and in fact one of the most racist countries on plant, so like other countries it follows they have a collective generalised "derogatory" terms for different groups of people, as stated on this very thread the chinese, Koreans, Viet's etc have collective "derogatory" terms for the lilly whites, but some of the "cultural experts" expect us to believe Thailand has no "generalised derogatory term for the lilly whites given they are perceived as being so racist ?....strange they have derogatory terms for other races and nationalites

2. Those who state the Thai/English defines this......go an look in an English dictionary and look up the word "kaffir" and the defintion will read something along the lines of" a non-beliver in the muslim faith, but use the term "kaffir" these days in a certain country and you will end up in court on charges of racism

[White Christmas13]

I would say that it was not correct.

Surely you have a name.

I would be looking for a new girlfriend.

Well I better look for a new wife now we are married for about 13 years now

live in OZ and still called a farang when we go to Thai parties (or friends)

[Jip99]

It's not respectful for her to refer to you as 'the' anything.

It's indicative of her attitude. Walk away from that shit

You may need one of these:-

[mankondang]

why not, if you are not Thai then you are a "farang" = foreigner, but as mentioned above it depends on tone and context. I could call you a name but uness you heard the tone and know the context you wouldnt know if it was in fun, an endearment or an insult.

NO! "farang" does not = foreigner, it means Caucasian.

The Japanese are not farang, the Lao are not farang, and the oriental "asians" like Connie Chung that are 100% American are not farang either.

Farang = Caucasian and yes it's racist but racism is accepted here in Thailand by the Thais, just don't do it to them.

As per Robertson's Practical English-Thai Dictionary,, Farang Foreigner, Chao Thang Chaat, Westerner , European, occidental = Farang

I will go with the Dictionary not the self appointed TV experts .

I prefere to get out in the real world and ask and learn Thai from the Thai people directly, rather than to learn it from a Book written in the farang name of Robertson.

[mankondang]

why not, if you are not Thai then you are a "farang" = foreigner, but as mentioned above it depends on tone and context. I could call you a name but uness you heard the tone and know the context you wouldnt know if it was in fun, an endearment or an insult.

NO! "farang" does not = foreigner, it means Caucasian.

The Japanese are not farang, the Lao are not farang, and the oriental "asians" like Connie Chung that are 100% American are not farang either.

Farang = Caucasian and yes it's racist but racism is accepted here in Thailand by the Thais, just don't do it to them.

As per Robertson's Practical English-Thai Dictionary,, Farang Foreigner, Chao Thang Chaat, Westerner , European, occidental = Farang

I will go with the Dictionary not the self appointed TV experts .

I prefere to get out in the real world and ask and learn Thai from the Thai people directly, rather than to learn it from a Book written in the farang name of Robertson.

[Asheron]

why not, if you are not Thai then you are a "farang" = foreigner, but as mentioned above it depends on tone and context. I could call you a name but uness you heard the tone and know the context you wouldnt know if it was in fun, an endearment or an insult.

Are you actually saying that it's ok to be called "farang" and not "chaaw taang chaad" (ชาวต่างชาติ)? Do you lecture someone for using the word negro? If not, why not? The context is exactly the same as both are targetted against person with a specific kind of "color" on their skin.

Edited September 1, 2015 by Asheron

[Asheron]

why not, if you are not Thai then you are a "farang" = foreigner, but as mentioned above it depends on tone and context. I could call you a name but uness you heard the tone and know the context you wouldnt know if it was in fun, an endearment or an insult.

NO! "farang" does not = foreigner, it means Caucasian.

The Japanese are not farang, the Lao are not farang, and the oriental "asians" like Connie Chung that are 100% American are not farang either.

Farang = Caucasian and yes it's racist but racism is accepted here in Thailand by the Thais, just don't do it to them.

Merely using a word to refer to someone's race does not constitute racism.

Umm.... "n*gger" comes to mind.

[Jip66]

Had a german girlfriend who often referred to me as der englander, likewise i referred to her as the kraut, dont make a big thing about it.

Now that she is an ex-g/f, do you reffer to her as Sour Kraut? ;-)

[SoiBiker]

why not, if you are not Thai then you are a "farang" = foreigner, but as mentioned above it depends on tone and context. I could call you a name but uness you heard the tone and know the context you wouldnt know if it was in fun, an endearment or an insult.

NO! "farang" does not = foreigner, it means Caucasian.

The Japanese are not farang, the Lao are not farang, and the oriental "asians" like Connie Chung that are 100% American are not farang either.

Farang = Caucasian and yes it's racist but racism is accepted here in Thailand by the Thais, just don't do it to them.

Merely using a word to refer to someone's race does not constitute racism.

Umm.... "n*gger" comes to mind.

That's not merely using a descriptive word. It's a well-established offensive term - hardly the same as just calling someone 'black' or 'white'.

It's staggering that anyone needs this stuff explaining to them.

[MrTee]

Umm.... "n*gger" comes to mind.

That's not merely using a descriptive word. It's a well-established offensive term - hardly the same as just calling someone 'black' or 'white'.

It's staggering that anyone needs this stuff explaining to them.

I'd imagine that if you were in a conversation and you referred to your friend as "the white" or "the black", Whether the intention racist or not, you may find your friend is offended.

I'm not suggesting that the term Farang is offensive, or racist, but it is impersonal, and frankly rude, to refer to some one you know by a label.

Staggering indeed..

[SoiBiker]

Umm.... "n*gger" comes to mind.

That's not merely using a descriptive word. It's a well-established offensive term - hardly the same as just calling someone 'black' or 'white'.

It's staggering that anyone needs this stuff explaining to them.

I'd imagine that if you were in a conversation and you referred to your friend as "the white" or "the black", Whether the intention racist or not, you may find your friend is offended.

I'm not suggesting that the term Farang is offensive, or racist, but it is impersonal, and frankly rude, to refer to some one you know by a label.

Staggering indeed..

If you look at the context of my posts, you'll see I was commenting on the meaning of the word in general, not that specific usage.

Staggering that some can't follow a thread.

[misterphil]

Maybe she said to her friend she's sick and tired of Farang boyfriends.

If she was referring to you as her boyfriend, she would of used the word "Faen" for loved one.

[EmptyHead]

You should not be named "Farang". But if she were talking about your nationatity then fine (or farang in general).

She calls me egg-head and I call her plate-face. Only when we feel romantic.

You could call her Laos every time she calls you Farang.

[sammygood]

it's ok

the ATM farang

[MrTee]

Umm.... "n*gger" comes to mind.

That's not merely using a descriptive word. It's a well-established offensive term - hardly the same as just calling someone 'black' or 'white'.

It's staggering that anyone needs this stuff explaining to them.

I'd imagine that if you were in a conversation and you referred to your friend as "the white" or "the black", Whether the intention racist or not, you may find your friend is offended.

I'm not suggesting that the term Farang is offensive, or racist, but it is impersonal, and frankly rude, to refer to some one you know by a label.

Staggering indeed..

If you look at the context of my posts, you'll see I was commenting on the meaning of the word in general, not that specific usage.

Staggering that some can't follow a thread.

oh dear..

[anotheruser]

I think you are being deliberately obtuse. The answer to either of those questions is not "the farang"

I also cannot recall my wife or her family ever referring to me as "the farang". Neither have my colleagues.

As mentioned above it's about context. Describing someone as farang, like describing someone as Asian is different to referring to them as "the Asian."

OB

You are taking a tour to a place that only lets in Thai people. The person on the phone asks your wife/GF is your husband Thai or Farang.

Where is this place that only lets in Thai people?

Where ever the place is us Farang should boycott it!!