Quote:
Originally Posted by Farang
I'm an ex-pat and have been living in Thailand now for two years, I'm married to a Thai woman and seem to get a better understanding of the culture. The only thing that has me baffled sometimes is how often I witness violent response on minor issues such as asking for something different in a restaurant from local Thai people. I have also witnessed my boss get a rock thrown at his car one night and breaking his window before going home, and another Thai colleague getting his car keyed all around. Is this normal? I'm curious to know if there are any other Western or European ex-pats that either lived it or see it more often than none. I asked my wife and she said most Thai's, unless they have a close relationship with a foreigner do not particulary like foreigners, especially ex-pats; any comments?
Cheers!
Farang
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Can't say I've come across anything like that. But then I only ask for what's on the menu. If I don't like the look of the menu, I don't go in in the first place!
Never encountered the slightest resentment from any Thais, of any generation, in any situation.
Yes there is a certain national pride, not entirely justified in some respects, but if you know how to work around it there's nothing easier than gaining their acceptance. I do go out of my way to fit in with the culture and traditions. If there's any stereotype at all, Westerners are perceived as unsmiling, boorish, ill-mannered, pushy and arrogant - and unfortunately plenty of visitors, whether tourists or expats who should know better, live up to that image. The key is to concentrate on behaving in a diametrically opposed fashion.
It doesn't bother me to behave in that manner because a) I'm a guest in their country and b) I agree with them that many Westerners are unsmiling, boorish, ill-mannered, pushy and arrogant
