Satisfaction

[lomuamart]

No, not that kind. Just some appreciation of my worth, or not.
The Thai tourist buses park at the end of my soi so the customers can go for food. I've been in this house for 6 odd years and the buses are the bane of my life. They just don't give a damn where they park. This morning, one was actually blocking the soi off, another was double parked and causing traffic mayhem back into town. It's also very difficult for a pedestrian like me to walk out into the road. Dangerous. That was number one.
Got my four beers, managed to negotiate the road back home and the bloody plastic bag split, dropping three of the bottles on my foot.
I was not a happy man.
Anyway, despite my wife telling I shouldn't, I went down to the restaurant first and spoke to the owners. They were very apologetic and I was polite - told them a white lie about a friend missing the turn off. Of course it'll happen again, but at least I quietly complained as a resident here.
The old lady in the shop was as good as gold when I explained what happened to her plastic bag. She got three bottles out again and only charged me 90 for them.
Again, a result.
So, satisfaction. I suppose a lot of locals are willing to listen to complaints if they're made politely

[hhfarang]

"I cain't get no....."

But then I guess you did!

[Arcadian]

Same applies in my part of North Africa, if you explain your grievance politely you get a result, if, however, like many tourists, you shout, rant and rave you are met with a blank look and a stone wall.

[Spitfire]

I appreciate the point and they will listen, but that's as far as it goes. Underneath, apathy rules and you might as well talk to a tree about that sort of stuff. The lady at the shop may well empathize with you and fell bad about it but it's business, probably prearranged business, as in the drivers get a fee for stopping there (from the shop owner) and letting everyone from the bus buy from the shop owner (common practice all over) but the bus drivers would hold you in supreme contempt and would be baffled by your temerity to say something about it as it's their cushy gig that gives them extra money.

Add in with that the delusion they hold that they are smart but have no education and the fact that they think working for a bus company elevates them above the law, thus giving them clairvoyance to what they like as the road belongs to them.

You are right about them politely listening if approached correctly but you also have to 'read between the lines' on these situations.

Sorry if I sound unduly negative or cynical.

[lomuamart]

I think you are being negative, SF.
I can't do bugger all about the roads, but I can point out that a driver blocked the soi off. And that wasn't for a minute or the first time.
The apathy of Thai people revolves around their not wanting to get confrontational with those they see as "higher" than themselves.
I don't have those hangups and am willing to complain where it's due. And reason with them. The restaurant people are "big", but I live up here and they've got to direct their coach loads better. It's as simple as that. And, BTW, I bet happens next weekend or even tomorrow. So, I'll point it out to them, not the drivers.
As far as the beer lady is concerned, she's known me for 6 years and she sells the coldest ones in town. I get on really well with her. She was good to me.

[Spitfire]

OK, fair enough, wasn't having a dig at the beer lady, she seems fine, sure there's little she can do, just pointing out that the reason the buses stop there is because they are getting back handers from someone that has a restaurant or convenience store around there to stop there or someone with a business there is involved with the bus company too or is family or mates with them, coupled with the mentality of, and disregard, the bus drivers have for all and sundry.

I commend your stance and endeavour to voice concern, was just wondering how effective it will prove to be, no disrespect. There are plenty of good locals but I just sometimes question the existence of and proliferation of public spiritedness here.

Hopefully your concern will be noticed.

[hhfarang]

As far as the beer lady is concerned, she's known me for 6 years

[lomuamart]

The restaurant have uniformed police directing the buses sometimes. There's no question that the husband and wife are institutions in HH. They've been here longer than me.
However, they apologised to me earlier and I accepted that gracefully. They've known my face for years. I've eaten in there and occasionally used it as an off license - a bloody expensive one too.
I know the kick backs that business brings through bus tours - I've been on enough of them. However, their bus park is on the main road and I doubt that all the frustrated drivers trying to get around a double parked one were too happy. However, no-one pointed it out to the owners. I did. It was simply dangerous.
The red and white stripes on the pavement are obvious as are the no parking signs for the buses. The local authorities have put them up during my time here.
So, I would reckon my gripe about the parking isn't the first the restaurant have had. It's just the first from this little westerner. And it was an amicable one.

[lomuamart]

As far as the beer lady is concerned, she's known me for 6 years

Na. You live miles away

[hhfarang]

hhfarang wrote:
As far as the beer lady is concerned, she's known me for 6 years


Na. You live miles away

That was a forum edit problem. That edit button is getting quicker and quicker. I hit the wrong button and realized it immediately and then went back as fast as I could to edit and the edit was denied!

What I was trying to write was that the quote above "6 years" is why you got satisfaction. In that time you have no doubt spent thousands of baht at her shop and she wouldn't dare risk losing you as a customer. Same goes for my local 7/11. They will sell me beer, wine, liquor off the books during off hours even though the register won't let them ring it up. They know I am a loyal customer that spends a lot there each week so they will do anything to "satisfy" me, unlike the edit function on a forum that I am one of the longest members on!

[lomuamart]

hhfarang,
You just weren't quick enough off the blocks.
Only joking.

[STEVE G]

To be honest, it's been my experience in every country I've lived in that polite and reasoned complaints will get listened to whereas ranting and raving will get you nowhere.
I used to have an English manager in Indonesia who complained about absolutely everything by going red in the face and shouting his head off in a ridiculous manner.
I was once in a restaurant in Borneo, (cannibals and head-hunters!) where he made such a scene about his bill that they called the police, at which point I left.
One of my colleagues stayed with him and told me that when the police arrived he started ranting at them and only stopped when one of them pulled his gun out and threatened to shoot him!

[BaaBaa.]

Same goes for my local 7/11. They will sell me beer, wine, liquor off the books during off hours even though the register won't let them ring it up.

The newish one? The Ladyboy in there wouldn't serve me Beer after hours!

[migrant]

The newish one? The Ladyboy in there wouldn't serve me Beer after hours!

He/she was probably looking to home deliver for you!!