I for one couldn't care less whether a person can speak Thai or not, so naturally I don't resent expats who can speak it. I know a few words, but that's it. I have never made an attempt to learn, simply because I have never wanted to learn. As with Mr Plum, I enjoy the silence. Also, I cannot keep my mouth shut when/if it should be opened, so if I could speak Thai, I could well find myself getting into very dangerous situations.
As much as people like to think otherwise, Thais DO often say some pretty nasty things about us, unless of course they realize you can understand the language. My wife for example was referred to as a prostitute by a female taxi driver on Samui, while I was a dog. My wife was naturally very upset, but refused to tell me why until we had left the island. Now, had I understood the taxi driver, she would have got a damn side more than a smile, and that in turn could get me into serious trouble.
Just a short while ago at the floating market in Hua-Hin, some nasty comments were made by a stuck up Bangkok rich kid bitch. Unfortunately for her, I did understand some of what she said, and of course she got it straight back from me in no uncertain terms, with plenty of English insults added in for good measure. So, it's things like this that make me not want to learn the language.
Having said all that, I am now, after more than 12 years, eventually thinking that maybe I should learn the language, but not 100% sure yet.
For now, I'll just continue speaking the world's finest language ........
![Cheers :cheers:](./images/smilies/icon_cheers.gif)
Don't try to impress me with your manner of dress cos a monkey himself is a monkey no less - cold fact