Question about Expat temper

**BCDelica** · 15-10-2009, 03:38 PM

Why do many Expat’s, Farang (male and 60+), exhibit such impatience and irritability?

Have to ask because I’ve search other posts and other discussion groups fruitlessly trying to find an answer.

I have met a great deal of wonder people whom came to Thailand for much different reasons, and they mostly seem to have relaxed dispositions (Beer helps me). But; in traffic, at immigration, at a border, shopping, and working with service people, you see displays of frustration and anger that I just don’t see in the other parts of the world I’ve lived. Prefer to think it’s not specifically an indication of the type of person that moves to Thailand. Is it a frustration that comes from a lack of personal power, and perceived personal security, in a situation resulting from different rules and a lack of communication?

Just wondering if I'll start feeling the same way in twenty years, as now feel I don't have a good grasp on 'getting it'. Don't get it on an emotional level, ain't worried about it, but finding I now ignore it far more easily after some time living in LOS.

Maybe a better question is; am a naughty person for enjoying, and being amused by watching, that one or more at times, elderly male Farang whom has a spiffy temper tantrum during every visit to the immigration office?

Thank you for reading.

**Davis Knowlton** · 15-10-2009, 03:47 PM

My guess is that you haven't been here very long. As a 60 year old expat male, who has lived in Asia for over 30 years and outside of my birth country for over 40, my guess would be that you just eventually get sick and tired of dealing with brain-dead asswipes who not only don't know how to do their simple, menial jobs, but also just don't give a fuck. About the 200th time you make a 30 Baht purchase, and give the cashier a 50, and they have to call three of their friends and get the calculator to figure out that you get 20 back, it wears on you. Check back when you've been here a while. And Immigration people, in any country, have folks waiting for them in a special corner of hell.

watterinja · 15-10-2009, 03:48 PM

**Stinky** · 15-10-2009, 03:53 PM

Everyone can display temper in stressful situations, the examples you're
pointed out, border crossings, immigration, service people you dont
understand are good examples of what a stressful situation is.

As for perceived personal security and lack of personal power,
they are hardly traits of the average expat who has more of a
sense of adventure than the "stay at home coz it's safer" minded folk.

**Marmite the Dog** · 15-10-2009, 03:55 PM

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

My guess is that you haven't been here very long. As a 60 year old expat male, who has lived in Asia for over 30 years and outside of my birth country for over 40, my guess would be that you just eventually get sick and tired of dealing with brain-dead asswipes who not only don't know how to do their simple, menial jobs, but also just don't give a fuck. About the 200th time you make a 30 Baht purchase, and give the cashier a 50, and they have to call three of their friends and get the calculator to figure out that you get 20 back, it wears on you. Check back when you've been here a while. And Immigration people, in any country, have folks waiting for them in a special corner of hell.

That about sums it up.

**AntRobertson** · 15-10-2009, 03:59 PM

I think that the people that ineffectually moan and complain about stuff here would ineffectually moan and complain about things irrespective of where they were.

There's just people who apparently like to moan.

**the dogcatcher** · 15-10-2009, 04:01 PM

Dunno. As for immigration they always look skyward when they see me. Usually because whatever bukkshit they pull out in order to extract money I am ready for, it's like sparing in a boxing ring. I quite enjoy it. I've got a whole new problem for them this time regarding the cert of residence, They have tried to fine me 800 baht every time for the last 4 visits without success. Round 5 to come in about 4 weeks. I'll post the result. I hope Dogcatcher 5 Lt Sergent poe faced bitch 0.

**Marmite the Dog** · 15-10-2009, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by AntRobertson

There's just people who apparently like to moan.

They do have a name you know. The English.

**AntRobertson** · 15-10-2009, 04:04 PM

I was trying not to be countryist.

**Stinky** · 15-10-2009, 04:05 PM

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

About the 200th time you make a 30 Baht purchase, and give the cashier a 50, and they have to call three of their friends and get the calculator to figure out that you get 20 back

Spot on with this one, do you think they do it to wind us up or are they really that stupid.

**Davis Knowlton** · 15-10-2009, 04:08 PM

Winding us up. Adds some entertainment to an otherwise boring day in a dead end job.

**Bobcock** · 15-10-2009, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

My guess is that you haven't been here very long. As a 60 year old expat male, who has lived in Asia for over 30 years and outside of my birth country for over 40, my guess would be that you just eventually get sick and tired of dealing with brain-dead asswipes who not only don't know how to do their simple, menial jobs, but also just don't give a fuck. About the 200th time you make a 30 Baht purchase, and give the cashier a 50, and they have to call three of their friends and get the calculator to figure out that you get 20 back, it wears on you. Check back when you've been here a while. And Immigration people, in any country, have folks waiting for them in a special corner of hell.

I think it'd go the other way, the longer I've been here there more I just let them get on with taking thier time, messing things up, generally (not always) I retain my patience and let other people get up tight.

Mind you I also think men get grumpier as they get older.

**Dancing Priest** · 15-10-2009, 04:11 PM

Originally Posted by BCDelica

Why do many Expat’s, Farang (male and 60+), exhibit such impatience and irritability?

Excellent question.

There are several of that type on this forum that simply can't take criticism or being corrected.

**dirtydog** · 15-10-2009, 04:25 PM

I think its because most foreigners on coming to Thailand are quite suprised that they have to spend so much time dealing with uneducated moronic buffoons, maths is quite a good example of the lacking in education in Thailand, especially when the average Thai cannot add up 2 double digit figures without using a calculator.

**BCDelica** · 15-10-2009, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

About the 200th time you make a 30 Baht purchase, and give the cashier a 50, and they have to call three of their friends and get the calculator to figure out that you get 20 back, it wears on you.

Ok, simply put. I'll check back with you in 17 years, but will work on staying light heart'ed until then.

Have to add I'm not a person with much of a temper; only time I lost it (in a year in a CM) was when driver bumped my handlebar on my motorbike when he tried to share the lane well coming up from behind. When he started swearing at me with an Eastern American accent I could not stop myself..................................

**Loombucket** · 15-10-2009, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by Shitdigit

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

About the 200th time you make a 30 Baht purchase, and give the cashier a 50, and they have to call three of their friends and get the calculator to figure out that you get 20 back

Spot on with this one, do you think they do it to wind us up or are they really that stupid.

In my experience, such as it is, a lot of shop people don't understand the fact that some Farrang can count and add up in Thai. They get the calculator so that they can show the price, and change, in numbers, to avoid any mistake. There's one place I always go to get my ciggies. His maths is rubbish so we add together. It's a good way to re-enforce that bit of the learning curve.

**Dancing Priest** · 15-10-2009, 04:30 PM

Originally Posted by dirtydog

I think its because most foreigners on coming to Thailand are quite suprised that they have to spend so much time dealing with uneducated moronic buffoons

Surprised that education is poor in a developing country?

**dirtydog** · 15-10-2009, 04:35 PM

Many other developing third world countries in the world where the education is to a lot higher standard, ie adding up, speaking a second language, being able to walk and chew gum at the same time, you know, the basics.

**Davis Knowlton** · 15-10-2009, 04:38 PM

Keep chilling - it's probably better for you in the long run. I first got to Thailand in 1968, and Asia was still new and exciting. Now, many years later, with the world becoming smaller, and the proliferation of many negatives from the West, it often appears to share many of the negatives I once thought I'd left behind. And, according to my wife of twenty years, I am getting less tolerant as I age. That said, despite life's irritants, I am still glad to be here and still having a great time. Enjoy your stay!

**Stinky** · 15-10-2009, 04:41 PM

[quote=Loombucket;1199980]

Originally Posted by Shitdigit

In my experience, such as it is, a lot of shop people don't understand the fact that some Farrang can count and add up in Thai. They get the calculator so that they can show the price, and change, in numbers, to avoid any mistake. There's one place I always go to get my ciggies. His maths is rubbish so we add together. It's a good way to re-enforce that bit of the learning curve.

Yes I've had many a shop girl show me the result of a transaction on a calculator.
But in my experience the norm isn't to do that, rather to bolster their own mental calculation.
It's the same in the PI too.

**DrAndy** · 15-10-2009, 04:41 PM

Most of the temper tantrums you see are equivalent to "road rage"

expats often tend to see themselves as more important than those they live amongst and cannot take being held up or frustrated

**chitown** · 15-10-2009, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by Davis Knowlton

My guess is that you haven't been here very long. As a 60 year old expat male, who has lived in Asia for over 30 years and outside of my birth country for over 40, my guess would be that you just eventually get sick and tired of dealing with brain-dead asswipes who not only don't know how to do their simple, menial jobs, but also just don't give a fuck. About the 200th time you make a 30 Baht purchase, and give the cashier a 50, and they have to call three of their friends and get the calculator to figure out that you get 20 back, it wears on you. Check back when you've been here a while. And Immigration people, in any country, have folks waiting for them in a special corner of hell.

I am not 60, but irritated as all get out with Thai Scammigration. I am now 2 weeks on overstay with no letter, note in my passport, or extension and they are giving me the mai pen rai attitude.

Thailand more often than not is just not normal. There is no standard here for anything unless it suits the Thais. When it does, you better bet it is going to cost some money. Whether that be a bribe, fine or both.

**chitown** · 15-10-2009, 04:53 PM

Originally Posted by Shitdigit

Everyone can display temper in stressful situations

You got that right.

I have seen Thais lose it as well and more often than not the violence trumps most reactions that a farang has.

**DJ Pat** · 15-10-2009, 05:51 PM

Originally Posted by BCDelica

Why do many Expat’s, Farang (male and 60+), exhibit such impatience and irritability?

Have to ask because I’ve search other posts and other discussion groups fruitlessly trying to find an answer.

Good luck in your quest for justice.

**Loy Toy** · 15-10-2009, 06:09 PM

^ Question about Expat temper

Prat, your fooking lucky your cousin is such a looker as I was going to ake my anger out on you and after your arriving more than 2 hours late last night.

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