Those prejudices...
There was a connection quite quickly between the five men who had boarded the day train from Bangkok to Chang Mai. You sit together all day and it's nice to have something to chat about. Hands were shaken, first names and nationalities were exchanged. They were a British, a Russian, an Indian and a Chinese, all about fifty years old, and an eighty-year-old Dutchman. Everyone appeared to speak good English.
Persistent misunderstandings about Thai women
At birthdays and other gatherings, the writer is often asked about Thai women, given his passion for Thailand. He likes to play along with exaggerating prejudices and clichés about them. However, what he does not say is that Thai women are assertive, strong, smart and businesslike. They are similar to women all over the world and know what they want. The only real difference is that in Thailand age differences in relationships seem to be less of an issue.
Alfabra 01 – That ingrained prejudice about Thai women
Alphonse is traveling through Asia. He likes to keep some impressions of that region alive by writing italics about it, short stories so that readers get a different view of Asia or Thailand. The first italic, which is about that scandalous prejudice in Belgium and the Netherlands that all Thai are prostitutes. Take a look through the eyes of Alphonse.
Living with prejudices
Suppose you are over 50 years old and you regularly go (alone) to Thailand, then you quickly become an old pervert or a sex tourist. Prejudices. Very annoying. You get the feeling that you have to defend yourself all the time. The environment leaves an unsolicited mark on you. Once branded, it is almost impossible to get rid of that stigma.
A plea for “the good Thai man”
Judging by how Thai men are written about on various forums, they must be devilish creatures. They don't have any positive features if you believe the comments. The Thai man is a drunk, he uses yaba, he hates his wife and regularly beats her black and blue. He is a good-for-nothing, who also abuses his children and then eventually runs off with his “mia noi”.
Reader question: Are there different prejudices about the Thai population, just like in the Netherlands
In the Netherlands you have the thrifty Zeelanders, stiff Groningers and friendly Brabanders/Limburgers. Are there similar differences in the population in the different parts of Thailand?
Those who have a Thai partner often have to deal with annoying prejudices in their immediate environment. You can read examples of this in this statement of the week. Do you have a Thai partner and therefore face nasty prejudices? How do you deal with that and what do you do about it? Do you also discuss this topic with your partner? Join the discussion and comment.
An Isan village life (5)
A part of the jungle for Koos from Beerta
A few years ago I wrote a story about Koos from Beerta, whom I had met regularly in Pattaya. I called him a real unlucky guy, because his family life wasn't too rosy, but he wasn't very lucky in his love life either. I lost track of him after that because he didn't have the means to come to Thailand. I did follow him on Facebook, saw that he was now working regularly and also regularly played pool billiards and snooker. Koos has also found his new love, this time not in Thailand but in another Asian country.
This headline is nonsense of course. Or not? Because we quickly think in stereotypes and we all generalize sometimes. I catch myself doing that regularly as well. Why is that anyway? How does that mechanism work that keeps popping up in discussions, also here on Thailandblog?
Column: Oh, oh, oh, those prejudices…
He fulfilled all preconceived notions. White legs in black socks and shoes, shorts that are too big, big belly, seventies, and therefore at least twice as old as the eldest in the rest of his company.
Life in Thailand: Kalaya and Andre
'There are a lot of prejudices about Thai women, but I didn't get it badly. Whoever does good…' wrote Andre Nederpel to Thailandblog and sent his life diary along. Together with his wife Kalaya he ran a minimart and guesthouse. They are now retired.
Investigate helmet compliance
More than tired of it I am. Prejudice, that's what I'm talking about. More specifically, of course, prejudices about Thai. There are countless. And they are shouted too often without any knowledge of the matter.
Say in the Netherlands that you are going to Thailand or live in Thailand and you will see all that brooding look. Prejudice, clichés tumble over you. What to do with it? Dick van der Lugt keeps his mouth shut.
There is no city in Thailand as controversial as this former fishing village. Everyone has an opinion about Pattaya, which ranges from great to terrible. But if you have never been there, can you have an opinion about Pattaya? Discuss the statement of the week.
Diary of Kees Roijter
Kees Roijter (64) wrote in an email to thailandblog: 'When it comes to Thai women on the blog, prejudices are rampant. Even in the Netherlands you can no longer have a decent conversation about Thai. Within a minute the conversation turns to fucking. That pisses me off. They do people an injustice with that.' In a strikingly candid story, he looks back on 36 years of marriage to Pon.
The balance of my relationship with a Thai woman
If you had asked me four years ago if I would ever have a long-term relationship with a Thai woman, I probably would have looked at you blankly and asked: “Eh, what do you mean. No, let's keep it simple."