Reverse culture-shock

[Smeg]

It took a few days to get over this, which is made more difficult when combined with jetlag. But people watching was the best cure, going about their lives, shopping, in the pub, laughing and having fun (apart from the youth sat nearby me bragging about his ASBO to his mate, then walking into a nearby supermarket and 2 minutes later running up the street chased by overweight security guard of said supermarket )

Overall, its great to be back in a place I always feel welcome and a sense of belonging, where people stop and chat to me when walking my dog, apologise for cutting me up (walking in front of me) in the supermarket, and just the other small things in life.

But boy, people are fat here these days!

[ChiangMai noon]

I'm glad you started this thread.
please expand.

[DrAndy]

It took a few days to get over this, which is made more difficult when combined with jetlag. But people watching was the best cure, going about their lives, shopping in the pub, .

the usual criminal activities continue back in Blighty

nice to hear you feel comfortable back home Smeg, travel is not for everyone

now you will be able to get a nice job, a few new friends and have a normal life

[MeMock]

please expand.

He already did.

But boy, people are fat

[hillbilly]

Slap me for response but Smeg does have a point.

This past Christmas when I took the family to the states, I actually relaxed. I took the family to the pork chop area of SF and ate breakfast in order to truly enjoy the US experience.

Even though this could be considered a rough and non-touristy type area, I felt comfortable. Why? Because, I understand the rules of the game. Plus, they had a kick ass American breakfast.

I have lived in Thailand for a few years now but still do not totally understand all of the rules...

[Dougal]

I have lived in Thailand for a few years now but still do not totally understand all of the rules...

I have lived in England all my life and still don't understand the rules.

[mad_dog]

I like England ....enough to spend two months a years there... and right now i like thailand enough to spend 10 months a year here.

Its a case of different strokes for different fokes smeg me boy !

[DrAndy]

MD he has been told that before, but seems to think that his ideas are the same for everyone

not to worry, I will not be living in Bournemouth for quite a while yet

[mrsquirrel]

I like stroking folks.

I like stroking strangers on the subway.

Touching them softly.

It gets me hard.

[slimboyfat]

smeg

who looked after your dog when you were in thailand?

[Lady Hawk]

One thing i noticed on my return was how bloody grumpy and miserable every one was.

[daveboy]

It took a few days to get over this, which is made more difficult when combined with jetlag. But people watching was the best cure, going about their lives, shopping, in the pub, laughing and having fun (apart from the youth sat nearby me bragging about his ASBO to his mate, then walking into a nearby supermarket and 2 minutes later running up the street chased by overweight security guard of said supermarket )

Overall, its great to be back in a place I always feel welcome and a sense of belonging, where people stop and chat to me when walking my dog, apologise for cutting me up (walking in front of me) in the supermarket, and just the other small things in life.

But boy, people are fat here these days!

I dont know where your living smeg but this sounds fcuk all like the England I'm living in.

[Dougal]

One thing i noticed on my return was how bloody grumpy and miserable every one was.

Sorry LH, if I'd known it was you ........

[Bung]

smeg who looked after your dog when you were in thailand?

[Ice Maiden]

It is a bit of a culture shock to be back home actually.

[buadhai]

It is a bit of a culture shock to be back home actually.

Please expand. It would be good to hear what you have to say.

(Have you met up with Smeg yet?)

[keda]

One thing i noticed on my return was how bloody grumpy and miserable every one was.

Thanks LH, 3 days to wheels up, out of Prozac and into Marvin depression the past week and just needed that reminder.

[Lady Hawk]

Sorry keda,but it wont be so bad the sun still keeps popping out keeping the locals happy.
Its when the clocks go back every one go's a little weird.

[Wallace]

It's true that sunshine makes you happy. Don't they have artificial UV sources in Scandinavian countries during the winter to stop everyone topping themselves?

[qwerty]

Artificial UV sources... Now that's a concept that would really puzzle most Thai people.

Has anyone else here tried to explain Tanning Salons to a Thai?

[William]

^ my missus would prolly think a tanning salon was somewhere where you got your hair dyed

[Smeg]

One thing i noticed on my return was how bloody grumpy and miserable every one was.

Well the difference is that people in the UK are allowed to moan, its ok and not suppressed by a society which expects you to grin through and bottle up every hardship in life.

Furthermore, people in the UK groan about tax and immigration, but then they don't know what its like to have a pathetically inadequate state education system, no social services, police who barely get paid so rely on bribes to get by, very limited health services, no pensions, etc etc etc. If they saw pensioners begging on footbridges in Bangkok, they'd think twice.
And the reason Thailand doesn't have so much of an immigration problem is because its a developing country, thus tends to attract weirdos rather than economic migrants

[Smeg]

smeg

who looked after your dog when you were in thailand?

Me bro. He doesn't wanna give it back now

[Smeg]

It took a few days to get over this, which is made more difficult when combined with jetlag. But people watching was the best cure, going about their lives, shopping in the pub, .

nice to hear you feel comfortable back home Smeg, travel is not for everyone

now you will be able to get a nice job, a few new friends and have a normal life

I haven't been travelling. I've been living and working in Thailand for getting on for 18 months.

And yes it is nice to be back. I don't enjoy being an ethnic minority, probably like most people on the planet.

[DrAndy]

And the reason Thailand doesn't have so much of an immigration problem is because its a developing country, thus tends to attract weirdos rather than economic migrants

in fact, Thailand does have a serious immigration problem, from surrounding, poorer nations, in particular.

Strange as it may seem to you Smeg, Thailands economy is good and the rates of pay higher than, say, Burma and Cambodia. Economic migrants are a way of life there too.

As for weirdos, some stay and some return home after a miserable existence