Pebblesz Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 I have often questioned myself, what do Thaï people want to see/know/hear about western life. For example: I like to see the different architecture of temples, the colors especially since they are the complete opposite of European churches which tend to be just gray. I like to see the smiling people everywhere since it's the opposite of here where everyone has a sad face. I like to see every cultural difference: importance of not losing face, love for the king, ladyboys everywhere, ice cubes in beer, no kissing on the cheek or giving hands etc.... In other words, I like to see everything that is different and that I would not expect. Of course after a while you get used to all of this, but it takes time to really understand Thaï life and that's what I love about it, it keeps me curious and it keeps me questioning. Are Thaï people like this also? I tend to have the impression that they are not that curious about western life (even if they are greatly influenced by it), I noticed that whenever I talk about the differences they often try to look like they care (they always do) but they actually don't. Anyways, my question is: what do most Thaï people find interesting about the west, I don't want to bore them about things they wouldn't care. The only few things that come up to my mind are: food....well that's just it to honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 (edited) As a rough generalization, the culture here does not value or reward intellectual curiosity very much. There are obviously exceptions. Some of my funniest moments living in Thailand are watching westerners trying to tell Thai people about things from their home country and you can see how BORED they are and you can also see how the westerners are BORES for not picking that up themselves. That's kind of my answer. The Thais you answer, feel them out individually, and be prepared for a lot of disinterest. Reminds me of an experience I had at a home products store. I was looking for a product popular in the west that I wasn't sure could be had in Thailand. So I asked the staff and as soon as they heard it was a product I knew about from the west, there was instant and total SWITCH OFF ... we don't even have to know about that and we don't want to know about that ... It's possible that the product was available here (or is now) but once the NOT IN THAILAND bell went off, instant permission to avoid any mental effort. Edited February 21, 2017 by Jingthing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pebblesz Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 5 minutes ago, Jingthing said: Some of my funniest moments living in Thailand are watching westerners trying to tell Thai people about things from their home country and you can see how BORED they are and you can also see how the westerners are BORES for not picking that up themselves. Haha, yes that's exactly what I noticed. On dating sites their interests in their profiles are also pretty much the same: I like food, I love to eat, I like cat, dog,.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jingthing Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Don't forget sleeping, shopping, and football. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo860 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Haha, yes that's exactly what I noticed. On dating sites their interests in their profiles are also pretty much the same: I like food, I love to eat, I like cat, dog,....So they like to eat cat or dog or both? Is this dating site persifically for people who like to eat their pets?Sent from my SM-G920F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pebblesz Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 1 hour ago, roo860 said: So they like to eat cat or dog or both? Is this dating site persifically for people who like to eat their pets? Sent from my SM-G920F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app ??? 1 hour ago, Jingthing said: the culture here does not value or reward intellectual curiosity very much. There are obviously exceptions. You seem to understand them pretty well, here (at least in my home country) it is very common that we tell stories about history, geography, art, politics, psychology, etc... We like to share knowledge (obviously there are exceptions to that, some people just like to talk about fast cars and soccer/football). Sharing knowledge is quite important when dating people and/or making friends. Here it doesn't seem to be that way, don't get me wrong, I don't think this is entirely bad. Here we tend to overthink a lot and not enjoying the moment that much. When I see Thaï people hanging out in a group together they seem to have lots of fun, they seem to be "in the moment" and they seem to know how to enjoy themselves. What I'm wondering is, what do they like to talk about when hanging out together, just smalltalk? What do they talk about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johng Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 Mostly they want to know how much money you make and how much things cost, sometimes they want to know if the sun and moon are the same entities in Thailand as in farangland. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melvinmelvin Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 a series of "western" thingies Thais are interested in; Iphones Mercedes Benz Hot Dogs Pizza KFC J Walker Black Label Michael Jackson Madonna Pool/Snooker Pepsi Starbucks Coke to name a few widespread interest in shallow things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roo860 Posted February 21, 2017 Share Posted February 21, 2017 So they like to eat cat or dog or both? Is this dating site persifically for people who like to eat their pets?Sent from my SM-G920F using Thaivisa Connect mobile appYour post said ,I like to eat, I like cat and dog.My reply was slightly whimsical.Sent from my SM-G920F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pebblesz Posted February 21, 2017 Author Share Posted February 21, 2017 3 minutes ago, roo860 said: Your post said ,I like to eat, I like cat and dog. My reply was slightly whimsical. Sent from my SM-G920F using Thaivisa Connect mobile app :) Okay, well that's the way they often write their profiles, mostly basic english. It's pretty funny to read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loong Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 I don't think that I have ever been asked about my home country apart from whether it's cold, do I have a friend who will marry with them and that they would like to go there so that they can have big money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrainLife Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 MONEY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dotpoom Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Absolutely nothing.....especially as the majority of citizens wouldn't have a snowball's chance of ever getting there....so.....would you blame them? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoctorG Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 I lived in Thailand for 2 years and do not recollect anyone asking me anything about the West. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yooyoo Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 On 21/02/2017 at 1:08 PM, Jingthing said: As a rough generalization, the culture here does not value or reward intellectual curiosity very much. There are obviously exceptions. Some of my funniest moments living in Thailand are watching westerners trying to tell Thai people about things from their home country and you can see how BORED they are and you can also see how the westerners are BORES for not picking that up themselves. That's kind of my answer. The Thais you answer, feel them out individually, and be prepared for a lot of disinterest. Reminds me of an experience I had at a home products store. I was looking for a product popular in the west that I wasn't sure could be had in Thailand. So I asked the staff and as soon as they heard it was a product I knew about from the west, there was instant and total SWITCH OFF ... we don't even have to know about that and we don't want to know about that ... It's possible that the product was available here (or is now) but once the NOT IN THAILAND bell went off, instant permission to avoid any mental effort. I agree in general... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimbo2014 Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 They know that Sweden is the fabled land. iPhones are made in America. Hitler was funny. Thats about the extent of the general knowledge of western life outside of Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Deerhunter Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 On 21/02/2017 at 8:21 PM, melvinmelvin said: a series of "western" thingies Thais are interested in; Iphones Mercedes Benz Hot Dogs Pizza KFC J Walker Black Label Michael Jackson Madonna Pool/Snooker Pepsi Starbucks Coke to name a few widespread interest in shallow things You missed out Westerner's money and how to get it without working. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnnybangkok Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 On 2/21/2017 at 8:21 PM, melvinmelvin said: a series of "western" thingies Thais are interested in; Iphones Mercedes Benz Hot Dogs Pizza KFC J Walker Black Label Michael Jackson Madonna Pool/Snooker Pepsi Starbucks Coke to name a few widespread interest in shallow things Michael Jackson! Madonna! The 90's called and was wondering when you'll be back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFishman1 Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Thai people want to know HOW MUCH MONEY YOU HAVE LOL. TIT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kabula Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 I've lived in Thailand for approximately 11 years and never had one person ask me what the United States was like? Most Thai men show absolutely no interest in American women. Every Thai woman that visit United States that I know returned as soon as her visa expired. During the wintertime, some returned within two weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emster23 Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Interested in which country I come from, so can check on latest currency exchange rates. Have been asked where USA is in Europe, next to which countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RigPig Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 They don't want to know anything about the West. They already know that people from Myanmar are BAD!! and they all wear black... And of course they are good at doing the jobs Thais wont do for small money In the North West there is Lao where a good percentage have relatives, which is why it is Thailands number one choice for overseas destinations Think I am joking....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aforek Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Everything has been said above, so I don't say anything more, but when you say " For example: I like to see the different architecture of temples, the colors especially since they are the complete opposite of European churches which tend to be just gray. " , you are wrong it is known that cathedrals in Europe, when they were built, were coloured but with time ( several centuries ), the color has faded and now is gray Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toscano Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 What Western World ? You mean a place outside Thailand where Falangs come from with lots of money ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1FinickyOne Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Not much really - - since they consider Westerners to be rich, sometimes you can amuse them with how much money they can make at their profesion if in the West - then explain how much it costs to live there... Of course, it works the same back home for the most part... after explaining for five minutes that I live in Thailand, not Taiwan and seeing that people can't grasp that there might be some difference, it is equally dull. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nongsangcity Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 The West...most dont know which direction is west....i was at a party last week sat with a Thai Friend and he said to me...that lady over there lives in Japan..i said yes i know her.....he said do you know her ?? i said yes ...he said you should as Japan is next to to England in the world.....no comment..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gamini Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Many Thais have asked me why the foreigners living and coming here are so ugly,. Something which they did not find when they travelled abroad. I had to explain to them, that they couldn't find a decent looking girls in their own country, so they came here where they are able to obtain female company who don't seem to mind how ugly they are provided they have some money. That settled their curiosity Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilsonandson Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 Woman she big, 555"Yep"Thai woman small"Yep""Your missing the point old chap, it's not about the tits it the tight .... that we like"555 farang kfc"Yep"U like Liverpool"Yep"Very goodConversation in Thailand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grubster Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 My wife has no interest of the west and I hope it stays that way. The last thing I would want would be for her to turn into one of those western women that drove me away. She is not a stunner but she gives respect to everybody and treats me and all of her family like royalty. I have met few like that in the west, and those I did meet were already spoken for. The west never comes up in any of my conversations with any Thais. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
citzofwrld Posted February 23, 2017 Share Posted February 23, 2017 A Istanbul carpet seller told me, after six months traveling around U.S. selling carpets I can't wait to get home. The U.S. had no ancient historical sites, nothing but fast food joints, and malls. Americans are obsessed with money, buying stuff to impress other people, know nothing about the world. Its hard for me to get a good price for my nice carepets that take so long to make because they don't understand quality. Thais aren't missing anything by not knowing about America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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