Why is the truth ignorant and arrogant. Unless as I said you wished to live or work in a country that did not speak your native language the NEED is not there for English speakers.This is not an excuse for learning one any more than me not bothering to learn to pilot an aircraft. I may use one to go on holiday but do not need to fly it.
"they" have not taken the trouble "they" have to learn English to go forward internationally I on the other hand already have that skill.
That's true, those who left Scandinavia conquered, for example the British Islands, robbed, raped and killed those who were living there and made the place their new home. Their descendants now live there.
And now they are trying to repeat this throughout the world.
I knew it was a culture thing
Maybe norseman your ancestors were fishermen so you haven't inherited the Viking ways
Poosmate so you have the skill to speak English, If you go to a foriegn country you do not find it necessary to learn at least few words of the language of the country you are visiting. If so you are the type of person who gives the English a bad name. Cannot speak a foriegn language so speak English in a loud voice then they will understand. IF so, you are thick. It is good manners to at least attempt the languageof the country you are visiting.
Woke up this morning breathing that's a good start to the day.
I was in a 7/11 yesterday in Naresdamn Road near the Hilton. There were 4, pretty obvious, Scandinavians ( one had the Swedish flag on his bag ) and they were chatting away totally ignorant that they were in other peoples way. A youngish Thai girl was trying to pass saying excuse me, excuse me, excuse me but to no avail. She then let out ''Oh F**K OFF'' and she immediately achieved loads of space.
Courage is grace under pressure and when circumstances change you change your mind.
lindosfan
What has speaking a few words to get by whilst on holiday got to do with learning a language? Or what this discussion is about.
I said "THE NEED" to learn not the want.
I can ask and get things done in Thai but I do not consider that learning a language.
Poosmate
If on holiday a few words of a foriegn language will in most cases get you by, which the scandinavians I presume were. Living there for 7 years by now IMO you should be able to carry on a conversation in Thai. I speak German having lived there 4 years, some Greek and a small amount of Thai, My wife who is Thai speaks English and Greek the Greek better than me, we both believe if you live in a country you should learn the language not just get by, you will find you save money and gain a lot of friends,
Woke up this morning breathing that's a good start to the day.
poosmate wrote:
Maybe norseman your ancestors were fishermen so you haven't inherited the Viking ways
Ha ha!! No Sir. No fishermen as far as I know.
My ancestors came from a part in Norway named Troendelag and that was the real viking-country in the good old days.
However, if your ancestors came from the south or western parts of England, I guess we're all kinda brothers?
Cheers to all my distant relatives out there!!
To be honest with you BB I've never gone berserk in England and have never chased your women and gold, but I think we ruled about half of England under the Danelov in those days.
Not sure if the Vikings dared to stare the savage Scots in their eyes so close to their border, but I really don't know.
Do you think I'm a Geordie?
I used to have my leg pulled because I claim to be a pure Yorkshireman where in fact my ancestors were Polish Jews, Vikings, Norman and Germanic. Lived in Hull for many years and half the street names are a translation of Norwegian or Danish origins so maybe some Norwegian/Danish viking raped and pillaged my great, great, great grandmother
Let's face it, not many (if any) countries are pure bred. Thank the Lord
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
usual suspect wrote: Same in the bars, the Brits & Dutch will say "can I have..." "Have you got.."..the Skandi's opening line will be "Give me..." or "I want.."
Like Norseman said, we express ourselves a bit different than you. For instance, its not considered rude to say: "I`ll have a beer" or even just "one beer", no pleases or thank yous.
As for queuing and occupying 7/11s, i agree. There`s no excuse.
I have even heard that saying please and thank you is discouraged in schools here with Skandi children in the class
Hearsay mind
RICHARD OF LOXLEY
It’s none of my business what people say and think of me. I am what I am and do what I do. I expect nothing and accept everything. It makes life so much easier.
Bamboo Grove wrote:those who left Scandinavia conquered, for example the British Islands, robbed, raped and killed those who were living there and made the place their new home. Their descendants now live there.
I'm not sure if this is something I should be proud of or not!? Made me laugh though!
I can't say I've ever noticed it with other farangs but Thais don't seem to have the concept of queuing, or how to move around a supermarket for that matter.
I can't say I've ever noticed it with other farangs but Thais don't seem to have the concept of queuing, or how to move around a supermarket for that matter.
Nor do they say please and thank you every time they buy/sell. Its just business as usual for them...
Actually, as far as I am aware, there is not even a direct translation for the word "please" in Thai, and "Kop Khun Krup/Kha" are actually rarely used because they are considered very "meaningful" words that are not to be used in light conversation...
I think its dangerous to yourself if we focus on other peoples little vices. There are different ways in the world to show politeness and just because 'theirs' does not fit into 'ours' does not mean the INTENTION is to be rude. Just saying people should be more positive...
