CiaranM Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Or is it simply Thai culture? Let's face it, Thais refer to themselves by name. They have dozens of pronouns. Pig, Rat and Fatty are common nicknames. I think it's just a different culture. ehhhh .... my point exactly .... so if they refer to themselves by name why the **** can they not use our name ... or nickname !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
admin Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 i don't find the term farang usually offensive ... i'll even talk about farang food or farang bars or farang movies ... but when ppl who know U refer to U as a farang that's at best impolite/rude/lazy !!! Dave, this is the difference. Yes, I don't find the term in and of itself offensive. I used to have a t-shirt that said Farang in Thai script as well. I also refer to people was farang but only as a descriptor. For instance, "Was he Thai or farang?" But I wouldn't say, "Where am I? I'm down at Charlie Brown's with the farang." That's what makes the use of the word so tricky. It isn't offensive by itself. It's how people use and when they use it that often makes it offensive (to me, and I would presume others). But like Ciaran says, when you quit becoming Bill, or Dave, or Ciaran and you're now "The Farang" that's when the usage it seems impolite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English_Bob Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Dave, this is the difference. Yes, I don't find the term in and of itself offensive. I used to have a t-shirt that said Farang in Thai script as well. I also refer to people was farang but only as a descriptor. For instance, "Was he Thai or farang?" But I wouldn't say, "Where am I? I'm down at Charlie Brown's with the farang." That's what makes the use of the word so tricky. It isn't offensive by itself. It's how people use and when they use it that often makes it offensive (to me, and I would presume others). But like Ciaran says, when you quit becoming Bill, or Dave, or Ciaran and you're now "The Farang" that's when the usage it seems impolite. But here's the crux... Offense is taken, not given. It's up to you to feel offended or not. I choose not to be offended, because I don't believe Thais are trying to offend me. Thai people are terribly offended when we criticise their country or culture or way of life. But we don't stop, do we? Because WE don't see it as offensive. We don't mean to upset them - even though we know it does. And we can't understand why THEY don't understand it's not rude (although it IS in their culture). If anyone should change their way of life it's US. We are the minority and offending the majority. But we don't. We go right ahead on threads like this pointing out faults and flaws in Thailand. And I think few Thais join these threads because they feel like, "Here we go again - farangs bashing Thailand." I won't stop either - because constructive criticism is part of my upbringing too - but the whole 'farang' issue is a non-issue for me because there is no malicious intent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chatty Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Here we go again... about wording "Farang" but I understand how you feel... Cuz I learnt how to deal with difference culture I think. So I tried not to call you guys, "Farang" call Jap. "I-Yun" call African, African-American "I Meud" (Dark) and I try to tell Thai ppl and my friends to respect the other races if they want other ppl to respect us. It hard to do especially the old generation, but I'm trying to. And call ppl "You, you" it's rude. I told my friends and ppl who set up the class about service as well. Call Mr./Mrs./Miss or Master..... then their names. Something like that. It's good to know....What we should do... Thks so much kha. About ppl treat you that way, they don't mean to be rude, they don't know how to speak English in proper way (I guess) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stramash Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 There was a documentary on the BBC last night about the 'hidden' side of Thai tourism. Interestingly, when one of the Thai hotel staff said 'farang' it was translated as 'tourist' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English_Bob Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Here we go again... lol See? Thanks Neung Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiaranM Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 But here's the crux... Offense is taken, not given.It's up to you to feel offended or not. I choose not to be offended, because I don't believe Thais are trying to offend me. Thai people are terribly offended when we criticise their country or culture or way of life. But we don't stop, do we? Because WE don't see it as offensive. We don't mean to upset them - even though we know it does. And we can't understand why THEY don't understand it's not rude (although it IS in their culture). If anyone should change their way of life it's US. We are the minority and offending the majority. But we don't. We go right ahead on threads like this pointing out faults and flaws in Thailand. And I think few Thais join these threads because they feel like, "Here we go again - farangs bashing Thailand." I won't stop either - because constructive criticism is part of my upbringing too - but the whole 'farang' issue is a non-issue for me because there is no malicious intent. i don't take offence (usually) when being called "farang" .... and although there may not be any malicious intent to me it's just a sign of laziness or lack of respect .... and the fact the Thais don't see anything wrong with it doesn't make it alright. thirty years ago words like ******, wop, paki, chinky, slanty eyes were used in the UK to describe various "types" of ppl .... "most" ppl would accept they shouldn't be used now !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pandorea Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Im getting a bit itchy, not from this thread but from some of my Thai friends from university posts on FBand I was thinking like.. how stupid can us be? A Thai friend said, no one is the best leader for Thailand then Taksin because he is rich and his money can get some people together and corruption is a part of developing Thailand. And this friend of mine has a ph.d degree but he thinks with his ass...... sad but true!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chatty Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Im getting a bit itchy, not from this thread but from some of my Thai friends from university posts on FBand I was thinking like.. how stupid can us be? A Thai friend said, no one is the best leader for Thailand then Taksin because he is rich and his money can get some people together and corruption is a part of developing Thailand. And this friend of mine has a ph.d degree but he thinks with his ass...... sad but true!!! Kill me... Why we always set money first? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chatty Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 There was a documentary on the BBC last night about the 'hidden' side of Thai tourism. Interestingly, when one of the Thai hotel staff said 'farang' it was translated as 'tourist' lol staff hotel...say "Farang"? hrrrrr... It's really hard to fix it... not only staff hotel... If you see the service business like the International Hospital I work for... you will see, how hard to change attitude and behavior. no matter what level. Hope tomorrow a Prof. from Mahidol Uni. could help us for good manner presentation. Pray for me. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigKus Posted March 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Im getting a bit itchy, not from this thread but from some of my Thai friends from university posts on FBand I was thinking like.. how stupid can us be? A Thai friend said, no one is the best leader for Thailand then Taksin because he is rich and his money can get some people together and corruption is a part of developing Thailand. And this friend of mine has a ph.d degree but he thinks with his ass...... sad but true!!! i guess he is now holding his PhD certificate having miserable life missing easy money which used to have by corruption from Thaksin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigKus Posted March 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 There was a documentary on the BBC last night about the 'hidden' side of Thai tourism. Interestingly, when one of the Thai hotel staff said 'farang' it was translated as 'tourist' Nothing interesting there ja, Iain ja ! They just blended it a bit upon circumstance, if its documentary about business, 'farang' in translation could be mean business men and/or the documentary about smuggle business or crime 'farang' could be mean a 'criminal' as long as it involved with da whitey... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koolbreez Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Here we go again... about wording "Farang" but I understand how you feel... Cuz I learnt how to deal with difference culture I think. So I tried not to call you guys, "Farang" call Jap. "I-Yun" call African, African-American "I Meud" (Dark) and I try to tell Thai ppl and my friends to respect the other races if they want other ppl to respect us. It hard to do especially the old generation, but I'm trying to.And call ppl "You, you" it's rude. I told my friends and ppl who set up the class about service as well. Call Mr./Mrs./Miss or Master..... then their names. Something like that. It's good to know....What we should do... Thks so much kha. About ppl treat you that way, they don't mean to be rude, they don't know how to speak English in proper way (I guess) You are an exception. The fact is the rest of the Thai people that use the term on this forum don't give a **** whether someone likes it, or not. It is that simple. They come on this board to meet foreigners, yet aren't even aware when they are told that it is offensive. Is that stupidity, or intentional insulting? EB could care less, because he's just out to make money from, and get layed by as many girls as he can.....HAHAHA, so he really doesn't count, and he's the only foreigner that doesn't get insulted by the rudeness in how it is used here, so you have to wonder why it doesn't matter to him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiaranM Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 (edited) EB could care less, because he's just out to make money from, and get layed by as many girls as he can.....HAHAHA, so he really doesn't count, and he's the only foreigner that doesn't get insulted by the rudeness in how it is used here, so you have to wonder why it doesn't matter to him. i don't get insulted by the use of the word farang, but i just think when ppl know ur name it's basic decency and good manners to use it rather than call me farang !!! and i am pretty sure Dave is not the ONLY foreigner who doesn't get insulted or worked up by the use of farang !!! and as for making money and getting laid .... ain't that big part of life for everyone ... unless u have ur money made already and r too old or ugly to get laid !!! Edited March 31, 2011 by CiaranM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
English_Bob Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 i don't get insulted by the use of the word farang, but i just when ppl know ur names it's basic decency and good manners to use it rather than call me farang !!! and i am pretty sure Dave is not the ONLY foreigner who doesn't get insulted or worked up by the use of farang !!! and as for making money and getting laid .... ain't that big part of life for everyone ... unless u have ur money made already and r too old or ugly to get laid !!! I'm single and I'm a businessman - getting laid and paid are big parts of my life. The whining of a hasbeen never concerns me. My staff call me ผู้จัดการ - manager. They all know my name, but not one of them uses it. Thais call people 'teacher' and 'doctor' even though they know their names. Something is only rude when it's intended to be rude. For example, pushing in queues. You can tell this is rude because Thais don't like it either. However, I have never met a single Thai who considers the use of 'farang' rude. I don't care that it wouldn't work in Western countries, because I'm not in them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iBatch Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 why Teddy hiding? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teddy Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 why Teddy hiding? I follow you twice then you miss me. Lol. Besides, it's not hiding, it's lurking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iBatch Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 I follow you twice then you miss me. Lol. Besides, it's not hiding, it's lurking. Tot ya hiding from bigKus hitting on ya. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigKus Posted March 31, 2011 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Tot ya hiding from bigKus hitting on ya. Why bigKus would hit teddy ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin_2 Posted March 31, 2011 Report Share Posted March 31, 2011 Why bigKus would hit teddy ? Because Teddy is into S & M. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CiaranM Posted April 1, 2011 Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 Why bigKus would hit teddy ? because he likes it !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigKus Posted April 1, 2011 Author Report Share Posted April 1, 2011 (edited) MMHH...JUST FEW TO START:-WHY DO THAIS BELIEVE IN FUTURE TELLER? -WHY THAIS WALKING IN A PATH DO NOT KNOW IN WHICH SIDE TO STAY? -WHY THAIS BADLY FEAR IN CROSSING STREETS? -WHY SECURITY GUYS HELP CAR DRIVERS IN PARKING OR GET OUT IN THE MAIN ROAD COSTANTLY (maybe my previous question depend in this one)? - Because They (those thais who believe ) are not satisfy with what they have in the present and they so much look forward to the future and wanna know what would lead them. - Because They dont know why they have to know ? - Because they know some drivers are ignorants and restless. - Dont understand this question.. :-/ Edited April 1, 2011 by bigKus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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