Miserable,unsmiling,and Forlorn Lookings Farangs.....

[StevenHeidbriderSr 58]

Looking for comments about what I have noticed in the Nong Khai area when I go to Tesco, Global etc..

I say hello and smile but the Farangs I meet for the most part want no part of what would be normal banter at home. They seem Gruff and unhappy in a situation where one would think they would be more than happy to converse with a fellow Xpat.

Maybe they are hung over or something I don't know But I just HAD TO ASK.

P.s I did meet a one Canadian at Makro that was very friendly and Outgoing.

[IsaanAussie 1,687]

Doubt you are alone in finding this sort of reaction. I'll bet the Canadian is more at peace with his life here than some poor souls that seem to spend most of their time holding the closet door shut for fear the skeletons will escape. I am 17 years older than my wife of twelve years, and no, we didn't meet on the ballroom floor of a five star hotel.

[David48 10,662]

Why, on Earth, do you think that they wish to acknowledge you ... let alone interact with you?

Relevant just before the 1 minute mark.

If that same person (you mention in your OP) was back in your home country and you met them in a TESCO/WalMart etc ... would even engage in eye-contact ... we both know the answer is no!

So why, once you have made the great swim across the pond, do you think that the other person shares anything in common with you?

It's actually a racial comment in your OP because you are making a decision based on skin colour.

You OP says more about yourself then others.

Just relax. If you wish to make friends from your Culture ... great ... but picking them up in TESCO maybe not the smartest strategy.

Yep ... I know where my coat is.

[IsaanAussie 1,687]

Hi Dave. Mate I think you have this wrong. Neither the OP or the people referred to are in their home country and in Issan there is as many miles between farangs as there are in the Top End where Dundee came from. Live here all year and see if your attitude changes. Hogan's character is outgoing and typifies people who are not surrounded by their peers everyday. Visitors always welcome here.

[Carib 2,099]

What bothers me is that during the rest of the day these miserable gits will probably post on TV...

Oops, I forgot; Have a nice day...

Edited May 23, 2013 by Carib

[IsaanAussie 1,687]

Sad, but keeps the brain active.There are many farangs here that IMHO are living "Groundhog Day" lives. 10am go buy Bangkok Post, 12pm go restaurant to met the boys, 4pm home and computer..... Drive me crazy. Asked a guy what he was up to and he said he had a doctors appointment Friday week. That is the main event in 10 days?

[stiggy 407]

Every time I go to tesco it's to shop a task like many people I find boring and just wish to get it over with.If I wish to socialise I go to cofee shops, bars, resturants,town squares or other known places that people meet to exchange ideas or strike up conversation.

Guess there is a time and a place for everything, a complete stranger trying to strike up conversation,whilst I'm getting elbowed by the natives in the veg dept weighing queue.Just because I'm white or foreign will generally get the p-ss off I'm Russian act.

No offence meant but that's my take on it.

[manarak 5,966]

Looking for comments about what I have noticed in the Nong Khai area when I go to Tesco, Global etc..

I say hello and smile but the Farangs I meet for the most part want no part of what would be normal banter at home. They seem Gruff and unhappy in a situation where one would think they would be more than happy to converse with a fellow Xpat.

Maybe they are hung over or something I don't know But I just HAD TO ASK.

P.s I did meet a one Canadian at Makro that was very friendly and Outgoing.

That's because they don't live in Pattaya... 5555

[canuckamuck 30,609]

I find that the times when I have befriended the extroverts, I have had to work to get rid of them later.

That being said, if you meet me in the mall and you talk to me, I will talk to you. But I Usually won't encourage it going any further. Too many people carrying extra baggage over here, and I just like having my carry on.

[fatfather 381]

Doubt you are alone in finding this sort of reaction. I'll bet the Canadian is more at peace with his life here than some poor souls that seem to spend most of their time holding the closet door shut for fear the skeletons will escape. I am 17 years older than my wife of twelve years, and no, we didn't meet on the ballroom floor of a five star hotel. 

... so you are 29 and she is 12..... no reason to smile, rather strange

Fatfather

Sent from my phone

[stevo2 95]

Posts like this make me chuckle.

I can just imagine everyone going shopping in the UK, USA , Canada, or where ever saying "Hello" to everyone. You'd be in the supermarket forever.

Just a side note. Do Thais say "hello" to every Thai that they see in BigC too?

[JLCrab 9,146]

My guess would be that many who arrive in Isaan do just as the gent in Post #1 has commented. But over the years, after you've been stung enough times, you smile and be friendly but then, 'Sorry, I'm running late to catch a train."

[Payboy 7,113]

It must be because of Tesco, Global, etc.

[Michael Hare 558]

Posts like this make me chuckle.

I can just imagine everyone going shopping in the UK, USA , Canada, or where ever saying "Hello" to everyone. You'd be in the supermarket forever.

Just a side note. Do Thais say "hello" to every Thai that they see in BigC too?

When Thais are overseas they fall over one another trying to make contact, eat Thai food and talk in Thai. Not all but many. They have this circle of Thai friends, regardless of background back in Thailand.

The main difference with Thais overseas and farangs in living in Thailand, is that most Thais are happy living overseas but with a lot of farangs here in Thailand they are not generally that happy. They are here because it is cheap. It is increasingly difficult to live on a pension back in their home countries.

[wayned 5,817]

Every time I say hello and smile to the only Farang that lives near me he says hello and smiles back! Mirrors are wonderful!