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Arcadius
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I suppose if you live anywhere, the local culture is going to rub off on you to a greater or lesser extent. Unless (like some Thaiphobic expats here) you're absolutely determined that it won't.
Thai values are a problem because some of them are opposed to farang values, and you may not wish to give over your own. Sometimes you become a bit culturally ambidextrous. An example would be attitudes to truth-telling - where I often find myself holding Thais and farangs to wholly different standards, and also adapting my own behaviour accordingly.
I don't despise tourists per se - only those tourists (& expats) who have zero sensitivity to the local culture and Thai ways of thinking, and are too arrogant to make the slightest effort. I suspect they'd be boors anywhere, however.
As for guys being seen with their BGs in public - well, I'd say that depends on how they behave. If they're being polite and unobtrusive, then in my book - honi soit qui mal y pense. I'm pretty sure my attitude would be the same back home.
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 7:54 am on Oct. 26, 2003
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Vancouver Jay
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Quote: from Arcadius on 8:54 pm on Oct. 26, 2003
I suspect they'd be boors anywhere, however.
Spot on. The aforementioned louts are simply less likely to express their boorishness at home: as a rule they tend to be low man on the totem pole back in farangland.
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Bangkok Women : Meet Sensual Bangkok Women
Posted on: 9:07 am on Oct. 26, 2003
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atypical
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Quote: from Arcadius on 3:54 am on Oct. 27, 2003
I suppose if you live anywhere, the local culture is going to rub off on you to a greater or lesser extent. Unless (like some Thaiphobic expats here) you're absolutely determined that it won't.
Thai values are a problem because some of them are opposed to farang values, and you may not wish to give over your own. Sometimes you become a bit culturally ambidextrous. An example would be attitudes to truth-telling - where I often find myself holding Thais and farangs to wholly different standards, and also adapting my own behaviour accordingly.
I don't despise tourists per se - only those tourists (& expats) who have zero sensitivity to the local culture and Thai ways of thinking, and are too arrogant to make the slightest effort. I suspect they'd be boors anywhere, however.
As for guys being seen with their BGs in public - well, I'd say that depends on how they behave. If they're being polite and unobtrusive, then in my book - honi soit qui mal y pense. I'm pretty sure my attitude would be the same back home.
Agreed. It is human nature to assimilate. Although, it is surprising how many expats who live in Thailand many many years, are completely apathetic to cultural immersion.
On the dual meter for truth-telling, again agreed wholeheartedly. Although that westernized "gut instinct" of feeling the truth is all that matters, it's a totally different kind of animal here. Again, pointless to impose "our" western views on Thais.
Also, for some of those "boors". What is surprising and umm sad, is that some were not such a-holes back home. They've grown a superiority complex while being here. Ya know, some guys just can't help but give in to all the, "hey hansum man" and "up to you" and taking it for truth...
Sorry arcadius, my latin is umm... non-existent except for the "westernized" ones... cogito ergo sum, carpe diem, persona non grata, etc... what did you say? :p
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Thai Girls : Meet Sexy Thai Girls
Posted on: 9:47 pm on Oct. 26, 2003
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Arcadius
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Atypical
Actually it's old French: "Shame (or dishonour) to him who thinks ill of it".
It's the motto of the Order of the Garter (literally a woman's garter) - Edward III in GFE mode or something. The garter & its motto are incorporated into the royal arms, as seen on a British passport.
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Bangkok Girls : Meet Sexy Bangkok Girls
Posted on: 10:38 pm on Oct. 26, 2003
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3cazzi
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Atypical, very interesting topic, not only for the contents but also for the way you proposed it.
I wish I could get deeper in it avoiding the quicksands of the generalization ...
First of all I wish to remember that: < When in Rome, behave like the Romans > was said when Rome was known as the capital of civilized world and not the land of mafia & spagetti as stereotyped nowadays...
It was meant for all those coming in town from provinces, people with their own cultural identities and habits that might feel uncomfortable with the chaotic melting pot of cultures which were assimilated and active in Rome.
Can you imagine Germans drinking in Rome their first beer which was imported from middle east or Gallic (French now) sipping their first cup of wine, originally imported from Greece?
Now that the world has not only one capital (hope so) and that to travel and get in touch with different cultures is quite easier than before, we should be able to respect the differences and appreciate the selection of possible enrichments in assimilating something new.
In other words, to respect a foreign culture doesn't mean to renounce to your own background: it would be provincial.
Only if you don't forget where you come from and try to understand what is going on when you are out of your usual environment you'll be able to select and enrich yourself with something different.
In Southeast Asia (as in other non-monotheistic cultures) I found it easier because I learned that they always respect you as a farang, they accept the way you are without conditions... but you'll never be one of them.
Why? Simply because there is a background difference. But it doesn't interfere with reciprocal respect, attention and curiosity.
Racism? Yes it is, but it gets a completely different meaning while it has nothing to do with intolerance.
Yeah, me too I feel sorry when I see those tourists (expats as well) that, not even trying to understand where they landed, bring all their arrogance with their luggage... and just compare how much cheaper is the cost of a wild night in LOS.
I feel sorry for them and for being one of them.
No other worries because Asians know how to handle with them. To underestimate Asians could be the first mistake.
And as you do, I am fascinated by Asian's ways and attitude and I learned a lot trying to understand their views.
Those experiences had a lot of influence on my personal growth, but no, I never wished to be thai-zed or asian-ized, simply because they will never see a farang as one of them.
They can see you as a good one, a nice one, a jerk one or a stupid one, but you'll always be a farang for them.
It's just our Christian background that make us think that a good Thai is the same as a good Farang.
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Thai Women : Meet Matured Thai Women
Posted on: 11:44 am on Oct. 27, 2003
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