Comments on: On Expat Identity and The Tragically Hip https://www.gregtodiffer.com/the-hip/ Stories, rants & observations about expat life in Asia's craziest city Mon, 04 Jun 2018 07:08:50 +0000 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.2 By: Greg https://www.gregtodiffer.com/the-hip/#comment-1336 Mon, 04 Jun 2018 07:08:50 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5943#comment-1336 In reply to Rob.

Agree, Rob, although I’m biased too. Multiculturalism is something that has never really caught on here – you’re either “Thai” or “other”, which is annoying. But like you said with Canada, it’s part of the Thailand experience.

]]> By: Rob https://www.gregtodiffer.com/the-hip/#comment-1334 Thu, 31 May 2018 14:07:36 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5943#comment-1334 Interesting place to visit but could never live there. With an obvious bias, Canada is one of-if not the best places, to live in the world. Sure the winters can get cold and you get snow and ice and short days but it’s part of the Canadian experience of living somewhere where you see and feel all 4 seasons every year. With 39 degree humidity in Toronto today it comparable to many a day in Land of Smiles(increasingly less so as I’ve read in recent years-smiles not weather). It is also a place where one can immigrate to and become Canadian whereas in Thailand-and most every Asian country for that matter, you can only ever exist as an expat with their citizenship laws. We can also never look Thai but anyone can look Canadian. With Canada Day a month away I am reminded of the patriotism and pride of last years 150th celebrations. I will visit Thailand again some day and see my Wats and Buddhas in places I haven’t visited already but the Maple Leaf will forever fly on flagpoles in the place I call home:)

]]> By: Greg https://www.gregtodiffer.com/the-hip/#comment-1313 Sun, 07 Jan 2018 03:23:11 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5943#comment-1313 In reply to Pylin.

Hi Pylin, that’s cool! (literally, ha). I’ve had thoughts of moving back over the past year or so (especially since we’ve had a kid) but…don’t think I could take one of those winters again, and I really do love living in Thailand.
Interesting question about expat vs. immigrant. I guess I prefer expat because I came here with no plan to stay, but ended up staying vs. moved away with a plan to stay away. I GUESS I’ll probably stay here forever, but not sure…although that’s what I said 10 years ago too.
You may already know, but I also co-host the BangkokPodcast.com about life in Bangkok. Several Thais who live overseas have said they like listening because it gives them an interesting window into their old home – give it a listen if you have a chance. 🙂

]]> By: Pylin https://www.gregtodiffer.com/the-hip/#comment-1312 Sat, 06 Jan 2018 22:23:22 +0000 https://www.gregtodiffer.com/?p=5943#comment-1312 Interesting thoughts Greg. I’m the opposite of you: Thai person living in Canada for 15 years now, and can relate. Question: how come you call yourself an “expat” vs “immigrant” when it seems like you do intend to stay there forever? Thanks!

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