Life in Thailand Poll No.4 (Expectations)

[johnnyk]

No the majority of Thais certainly don't understand the amount of work needed in the West to earn an honest buck - or the amount of taxes paid. The very concept of taxation at source is pretty much unknown to them. But on the plus side there are still plenty of Thais in HH who have lived and traded there for years and who accept farang without question. Once they get to know you they never ever forget, and will even confide about how they treat tourists differently.
Build up a good relationship with any Thai person over time and they will reward you with friendship and trust - no problem - but they will still try to rip off a passing tourist at any opportunity. ( And if you compliment them in their efforts you earn double Brownie Points and a bit more discount!)
As with anywhere I think the answer in HH is to try to use small local traders - get known - gain trust.

Same same many big tourist destinations. Try Venice! They know one tourist will always be replaced by another until Venice finally sinks into the lagoon. Jacked-up prices, wrong change, adding things to the bill you didn't ask for etc etc.
I agree with Margaret though that once they see you are not a one-week wonder they act differently. Meet most Thais half way and you will be rewarded with little favours or extra weight and a real smile, not the cobra one.

[PeteC]

Shifting to Italy for a moment per above.....a show on Exp2 last night was about Rome. He went to a bar and ordered cafe, which is espresso in Italy I guess, and if he wanted to sit at a table outside, the price was double than standing inside at the bar and drinking it. He didn't say if just for tourists or if it's a general practice.

If the restaurants or bars here tried that, our forum pages would be burning. Pete

[hhfarang]

I spent a month in Italy years ago and I saw locals lined up standing side by side every morning drinking coffee at the espresso bars so maybe this has always been the case and for everyone (not just tourists).

Anyway,

From many years of visiting Thailand, I was aware of the tourist ripoffs and dual pricing schemes here before I came... what took me by surprise was the foreigners preying on other foreigners. Some of the times I have felt ripped off, especially the bigger more significant times, it has been by another foreigner, not a Thai.

And I agree with Margaret too, once you meet a few Thais and they know you are resident, their attitude changes about you for the better, especially if they consider you jai dee. Being from the U.S., I am used to tipping in restaurants, for taxis, or most other services, sometimes to the tune of 15 to 20% (expected in better restaurants). While I keep it to around 10% here or 5% in those places that add a tip to the bill (who knows if the server actually gets that?), I can tell it is well appreciated and I always get genuine smiles and good service when returning to familiar places.

[johnnyk]

Shifting to Italy for a moment per above.....a show on Exp2 last night was about Rome. He went to a bar and ordered cafe, which is espresso in Italy I guess, and if he wanted to sit at a table outside, the price was double than standing inside at the bar and drinking it. He didn't say if just for tourists or if it's a general practice.

If the restaurants or bars here tried that, our forum pages would be burning. Pete

That's normal in Italy, France etc. seats cost money to provide and customers linger longer. Espresso is normal every day "caffe" in Italy.

[johnnyk]

One should not expect or assume anything in Thailand or many other countries. I pay $4000/year in Canada in property taxes and the services decline just a bit each year. Unionized workers must ave their annual raise, you know. I find it irksome that the city has a monopoly (read: they have me by the goolies) I can't go and obtain the same services elsewhere. I suspect the same is true in cities all over the west so no whinging about Thailand. The only real diference is style and at least the Thais smile while hosing you down.

[migrant]

One should not expect or assume anything in Thailand or many other countries. I pay $4000/year in Canada in property taxes and the services decline just a bit each year. Unionized workers must ave their annual raise, you know. I find it irksome that the city has a monopoly (read: they have me by the goolies) I can't go and obtain the same services elsewhere. I suspect the same is true in cities all over the west so no whinging about Thailand. The only real diference is style and at least the Thais smile while hosing you down.

True, I pay more than yhat here in California and it's hard to get a dead tree cut down. I told the city I'd do it (any excuse to play with a chain saw) but they said I can't, it's on the easement and not my property. Two months ago they said they would do it, but.....

Well I feel some random power tool vandalism is going to happen

[johnnyk]

One should not expect or assume anything in Thailand or many other countries. I pay $4000/year in Canada in property taxes and the services decline just a bit each year. Unionized workers must ave their annual raise, you know. I find it irksome that the city has a monopoly (read: they have me by the goolies) I can't go and obtain the same services elsewhere. I suspect the same is true in cities all over the west so no whinging about Thailand. The only real diference is style and at least the Thais smile while hosing you down.

True, I pay more than yhat here in California and it's hard to get a dead tree cut down. I told the city I'd do it (any excuse to play with a chain saw) but they said I can't, it's on the easement and not my property. Two months ago they said they would do it, but.....

Well I feel some random power tool vandalism is going to happen

2am and a muffler on the chainsaw