yorkman wrote:It seems to happen all the time Shara, I am sure others can give many examples, but here is a couple more:

- flying into Udonthani and the well dressed (for a falang ) gentleman next to me started (uninvited) to tell me his plans for his stay. They apparently included "meeting three women off the net, one each day, I'll give them a "try" and if they are no good, I'm going to Pattaya, its probably cheaper" Incidentally my TW was, by the way, on the other side, she understood perfectly... Although, she did swap seats and give him sideways glances for the rest of the flight, much to his discomfort

- picking my neice, all of 17, up from the centre to hear another one say to his "mate" (Yes they were Brits...) "Look at him the dirty ......etc, cor it's easy is'nt it !!!!". I dread the day in 10 or 12 years time if I pick my daughter up and the same happens!! I am not sure I have enough restraint Possibly a news topic will appear here....

John

I was referring to US/UK/etc. crude-and-rude male behavior in general, with all types of women, but in addition to that, I'm now absorbing what my step-daughter puts up with on a daily basis. She is 25 years old and describes herself as "half-Thai, half-Cracker" (as in Georgia cracker, a humorous ethnic term for rural Southerners). She is tall and willowy, with exotic, bi-racial features. Now here's the clincher -- she is an LMT (Licensed Massage Therapist) with a national accreditation that she spent years training for and earning. Do you have ANY idea the types of comments that men feel free to make when they learn of her career? It's appalling. She and her daughter moved in with us recently, and I made sure my son stayed home to monitor the painters who were working -- one was making her nervous, and my radar was going up also. I shouldn't worry -- she is trained in martial arts and could take his head off with the strength of her hands.

Still, the entire situation is so offensive.

Yes I understood your reference, but it gets no better when they get here.

It just makes me a little mad. There are many many men (and women) who are in Thailand for very genuine reasons, old memories, they happened to meet somebody from here, they met somebody on the internet, or via agencies and have genuine intent, they retired here because its both relaxing and helps their limited income go further, whatever..

But if 10,000 arrive with good intentions, the 1 that does not is what is remembered. And that is not the ratio.

I can sympathise with the step daughter problem, its not hard to imagine the comments in the USA/Europe or elsewhere. Its magnified 100% in Thailand though. Even if a girl gets ahead in life, opens a business or whatever, there is always somebody who wants to ask, in a rolling eye sort of way, where did the money come from to do that.

Yes, sometimes its from the old profession of course, often its due to family support, hard work, etc etc

It needs to be accepted though, offensive or not, its not going to change unless you want to be a hermit in this world, and ignore it.

John

Gulf Coast and Yorkman you are so right. As having been married to a Thai for quite a spell, it never ends. The first thing a lot of folks ask is where I met my wife. They do not mean where in relation to country or town, they mean which bar. As this has been discussed in another thread, I met her at my friends house. Another remark here in the good ole USA is when they found out I met her in Thailand they like to say "Guess you met a good one". ONe what? Usually it is with the rolling eyes etc.

Switch to Thailand and the leers or comments never stop. I have learned to control my comments or behavoir as best can be but have had a few confrontations. Never led to fist a cuffs yet, but sometimes that is the price you pay and I would defend my wifes honor no matter where she was from.

This is why when some folks lump all women as good or bad for what they have done in the past it hits a hot button. Like I said before I know some guys that met their wives in a bar and some are good and some are bad. On any given night here in Houston there are about 500 to 1000 women working in the so called Gentlemens Clubs. That is one town. Most of them are good and doing what need to be done to put food on the table. Sure some are hard hearted, but most go on to be fine women later on. Wonder how many guys met their wives at one of these places. More than one I bet. Like I have also said before, if you met your wife in a bar, then you are a barman (do not mean working there) and therefore no better or worse than your partner.

Airlines are like you said. I to hate to hear of the planned exploits of these guys. Guess I am not as polite as you are as I have told them I really do not want to hear what they plan to do once they start the x rated version. So far it has worked.

I try to give the same respect to everyone no matter their standing in life at that time. They might have a better standing than I have later and I hope I get that respect back.

Gulf Coast I do respect you for having someone stay with your step daughter. too many times when the radar comes on, we do not respond. Then we look back and say"I felt strange but nothing was amiss then". Of course when we say that it is too late. Better to be sorry than late.

As for the 1/2 Thai 1/2 falang child. It sucks in both countries, USA and Thailand. I have taken my kidos to Thailand and heard some comments. Have also listened to some racial comments here. Have tried to teach my kiddos to respect all. I only hope they do and so far neither have been in trouble. One 32 and one 28.