Comments on: Ten Commandments for Living in Thailand

By: SiamRick

SiamRick — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:35:35 +0000

Oh, and excellent list, BTW.

PS the weather here in Toronto has been extraordinarily good for November, plus 8-10 every day. Weird. But it's small consolation for having to live here most of the year. That may change by early next summer. It's spelled r-e-t-i-r-e-m-e-n-t

By: SiamRick

SiamRick — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 19:32:12 +0000

Late to the party . . . but . . .

Thou shalt always smile no matter what happens.

This one is very hard to learn. In the west we are always quick to react with our true feelings, and can be quite direct, even, may I suggest, even cruel.

In Thailand, a misunderstanding, on either side, can always be melted away with a friendly smile, a smile that says we both understand and let's forget about it. As you know there are many Thai smiles, and I have yet to learn most of them. But an honest smile, if someone steps on your toes in a lineup, makes the receiver feel better and that sometimes even leads to you the giver feeling better because you handled the situation well and, dare I say it, like a Thai.

And Greg, you are correct. No one back home (where I am right now -- only 3 weeks to LOS!!!) will ever understand what it's like to live in the chaos of Bangkok until they experience my kind of abundant happiness when I'm there.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:34:57 +0000

All good suggestions, thanks folks. I think the one thing that all these have in common is that each one needs to be discovered on its own in its own unique manner. This says a lot about the people who stay here; curious, hardy, adventurous... maybe a bit crazy? If you ever end up with a commando, a group of ladyboys and an elephant, I think you must be ;)

By: Oneditorial

Oneditorial — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 21:13:42 +0000

Thou shalt never give advice to the locals on how to live their lives unless they ask for it.

By: DL

DL — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:09:35 +0000

Nice column, I especially got a kick out of, “eating a bowl of noodles on the street at 3am with a one-armed former army commando, four ladyboy prostitutes and an elephant”. (I think I’ve been in this situation but the memory is a little foggy…) I liked that whole last paragraph – traveling has always expanded me as a person, but that sense of alienation when back home with the family and friends is very real.

By: cbr

cbr — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:02:54 +0000

For the first Commandment, here is some further evidence of support for your thesis:

http://www.bangkokdiaries.com/2009/06/17/start-fights-thais/

Ouch!!

By: KCsaffas

KCsaffas — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 09:19:23 +0000

well written, and vert true.

Agree with "never take yes for an answer".

I'd add "Thou shalt show respect". we live on a smallish island and have been accepted by the locals, largely through being friendly, always giving a wai and a smile.

By: Bob Van Es

Bob Van Es — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 05:08:38 +0000

"Thou Shalt Not Be Offended When Total

Strangers Ask How Much Money You Make"

I like the column, Greg.

By: Vincent

Vincent — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:32:12 +0000

"Thou Shalt Keep Bitching about the Thais to a Minimum."

Seriously, I'm sick an tired of farangs playing the old white mans burden chorus line about working with Thais.

That's why you have a Job, you self-absorbed Loser.. if you ain't happy - go away and leave Thailand to those who Love this country.

Alright - maybe that's not a Commandment ... can we settle for Gospel?

By: Manue

Manue — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:03:48 +0000

#12: Thou Shalt Never Take Yes For An Answer

(I'm sure you see what I mean:)