farangissan Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) If I have one rule I try to live by, it's DON'T LOSE YOUR TEMPER! Unfortunately, Thailand does offer me plenty of opportunities to break this rule. But I am learning to bite my tongue and smile. It makes for a sore mouth but an easy life! If you had ONE piece of advice to help farangs through day-to-day life out here, what would it be? Edited March 3, 2009 by farangissan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pakeha Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Mai pen rai. If it pen rai you're in trouble! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samuibeachcomber Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 baring external factors re savings,income pensions that are off shore,i would say keep reminding oneself how lucky you are to be here,keep your hand in your pocket,be wary of any business ventures with thais or falang,never loan money out if you really need to have it paid back,and as the OP said,dont show or lose your temper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Croc Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Don't get involved in property investment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigSnake Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 SMILE it will in most cases come back to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayBan Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 The genuine belief of most Thai buddhist people:- Tam dee - Dai dee Tam chua - Dai chua You do good, you will have good. You do bad, you will have bad. A motto I stick to in the village and it usually works.......................take care RayBan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelticBhoy Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 (edited) Remember that you are a visitor. I can't be bothered with the 'know-all' farangs that complain constantly. (I've been here 16 years and I'm still learning ) Edited March 3, 2009 by CelticBhoy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave2 Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 NEVER trust a thai or ferang who asks you to borrow ANY amount money ! ive lent to both in the past and its COST me money NEVER AGAIN if you ignore this simple advice .... ITS GONNA COST YOU ! Enjoy and remember .... Dave2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xbusman Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 I have to agree with the above. Never ever ever never ever get angry. Takes some time to get that inscrutable chinese face but necessary for getting things to work and staying out of trouble. The other thing old timers told me again and again, which I finally understand now, is never invest more here than you can walk away from. Any investment here is fine, including real estate, if you can throw it away tomorrow and not notice. Those two things are written on my chart board and I read them every morning. Good advice from old timers, best learned the easy way... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patklang Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Always look on the bright side of life du du du du When you think life has dealt you a bad blow think of all the people whoare worse than yourself. AND ALWAYS LAUGH WHEN YOUR MATES ARE BACK HOME WORKING THEIR NUTS OFF ON A COLD WINTER DAY,THEN ASK YOU IF YOU GET BORED IN PATTAYA,NOW THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyd Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Leave your heart and morals at home, they will do you no good here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patklang Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 No heart and no morals is not something that i would be seeking or teaching any kids here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phaethon Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Don't eat yellow snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faranginexile Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 If I have one rule I try to live by, it's DON'T LOSE YOUR TEMPER!Unfortunately, Thailand does offer me plenty of opportunities to break this rule. But I am learning to bite my tongue and smile. It makes for a sore mouth but an easy life! If you had ONE piece of advice to help farangs through day-to-day life out here, what would it be? Stay out of the second floor bars. This may not apply so much in Isaan, literally at least, but euphemistically, it's not bad advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prakhonchai nick Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 AND ALWAYS LAUGH WHEN YOUR MATES ARE BACK HOME WORKING THEIR NUTS OFF ON A COLD WINTER DAY,THEN ASK YOU IF YOU GET BORED IN PATTAYA,NOW THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD Who was it that blasted me for beginning a sentence with AND? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chaimai Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 AND ALWAYS LAUGH WHEN YOUR MATES ARE BACK HOME WORKING THEIR NUTS OFF ON A COLD WINTER DAY,THEN ASK YOU IF YOU GET BORED IN PATTAYA,NOW THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD Who was it that blasted me for beginning a sentence with AND? AND the advice would be - beware of glasshouses and stones Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucifer Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 Rent everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Familyonthemove Posted March 3, 2009 Share Posted March 3, 2009 When crossing a road at traffic lights, never assume that a red light means stop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lite Beer Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Take you mobile phone out of your back pocket before using a Thai toilet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farangissan Posted March 4, 2009 Author Share Posted March 4, 2009 Fantastic stuff! Thank you! Breaking my own "One Piece Of Advice" rule - here's another (less funny than "don't eat the yellow snow" but perhaps more valuable) - be flexible. Thai "planning" is rarely more than the passing of an idle and pleasant thought, so don't build your tomorrow on things you hear today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SinCityGr8One Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Enjoy life and use a condom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thaddeus Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Always remember that they all know what you are up to 24/7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patklang Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 AND ALWAYS LAUGH WHEN YOUR MATES ARE BACK HOME WORKING THEIR NUTS OFF ON A COLD WINTER DAY,THEN ASK YOU IF YOU GET BORED IN PATTAYA,NOW THAT MAKES ME FEEL SO GOOD Who was it that blasted me for beginning a sentence with AND? And i wonder who that was Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobotTeacher Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Don't use illegal drugs. While in America and Western Europe, you can get away with it or just a slap on the wrist, Thailand and other Asian countries carry crazy laws like death sentence or life in prison. At best; pay all your baht as a bribe to get off. If I were in my 20's here, I'd be doing pot as I didn't realize nor care about the possibility of getting narced out, but in my 30's, I watch my P's and Q's as I'm much more aware now that a spliff is easily sniffed out. No more stoned robot trying to decipher the difference between a 1 baht and 2 baht coin or the difference between Deutch Marks and Dutch Guilders. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
colino Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Keep an open one way ticket booked and payed for , in a safe place near the airport, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lost in LOS Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 when crossing the street look 4 ways when crossing the sidewalk look 4 ways when thailand gets you down and you are totally fed up......go to your own country for a week....you cant wait to get back Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lannarebirth Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Keep your expectations low and you'll suffer far fewer disappointments and enjoy many happy surprises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coventry Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 when thailand gets you down and you are totally fed up......go to your own country for a week....you cant wait to get back Best answer so far. It happened to me last year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geekfreaklover Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Same as living in any country. Heres a list of ten.... 1) Follow your instincts. 2) Don't be pressured into doing anything that you don't want to do. 3) Make sure you have legal rights to business or property, if you don't want to lose it. 4) Don't make it known that you have money (if you have). 5) Don't make it known that you have life insurance (if you have). 6) Don't lend money, to anyone. 7) Try to learn the language. 8) Don't get involved in any Thai on Thai arguments. 9) Never openly lose your temper 10) Treat all officials with respect some of the above may sound paranoid, but sometimes paranoia's just having all the facts. GFL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Felt 35 Posted March 4, 2009 Share Posted March 4, 2009 Don’t do anything here that you wouldn’t do back home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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