Discontent with expat life in Thailand

[Bristolian]

Grumpy Brits….Mmmm….can this be true??

How can I resist in joining the thread

As a Brit having lived in the LOS for the past 12 years, my knee jerk reaction is to immediately agree that there are a disproportionate number of Brits who seem very unhappy with their lives here in Thailand and take every opportunity to look for the negatives and then take every possibility to voice them.

Whilst we all know that there are things in the LOS that are not perfect and sometimes the rules, regulations and formalities of dealing with governmental or large corporations can be frustrating most of us actually choose to live here.

I came to Thailand, as a work transfer, and having visited Thailand previously many times, I jumped at the opportunity to live here; albeit that my original plan was to only stay for 2 or 3 years and then move on. So much for my planning skills!!!

I think that the point that I am trying to make is that for some of us, we came here with quite specific plans for either working or retiring. There are others that came here to escape, what they saw as undesirable conditions in the UK (or elsewhere), then discover that Thailand is not perfect either. Having discovered this revelation they then want to make Thailand more like their own county. Strange…..!!!

I for one could quite happily live in the UK but simply choose to live in the LOS. Even after living in Thailand for 12 years it still surprises me at times but then, not all surprises are bad.

Q. So…….. Am I a Grumpy Brit?
A. ABSOLUTLY, if I can’t get my caffeine first thing in the morning.

Q. As a Brit do I subscribe to a bar culture?
A. ABSOLUTLY NOT…….I simply pay as I drink. No subscription necessary.

[Arcadian]

As a 10-year ex-pat, admittedly not in Thailand, I find that having my English family here with me makes all the difference. We speak and understand the same language, we like the same tv programmes and socialize with like-minded ex-pats. What I think I mean is if you live in an alien society and with people who think differently from you you may come to long for familiar things around you. Thai bars are not the same as English pubs where we can happily sit with an English newspaper, a couple of real pints and a real sliced bread Cheddar cheese sandwich and a packet of Walkers crisps.

[Bristolian]

Good pint of real ale, a newspaper, good ploughman's lunch with really strong Cheddar, Walkers crisps and Don't forget the Branston Pickle

[dtaai-maai]

God almighty, I can feel myself getting grumpier by the second...

[Pleng]

I find these threads interesting. I'm pretty sure last time it came up it was concluded Americans had the hardest time adapting. This time it appears to be the British. No doubt it will come up again soon and another nationality will be selected to win the 'unhappiest expats of the season' award

[HHTel]

Good pint of real ale, a newspaper, good ploughman's lunch with really strong Cheddar, Walkers crisps and Don't forget the Branston Pickle

Not a lot of people know this but most of the crisps here are Walkers. They're only called Walkers in the UK and the rest of the world know them as Lay. Reminds me of the Marathon bars which changed to Snickers to fall in with the rest of the world!

Most of the other stuff you can buy here albeit at a higher price.

You get a good pint of London Pride at Robin's Rest in Takiab!!

[BaaBaa.]

Good pint of real ale, a newspaper, good ploughman's lunch with really strong Cheddar, Walkers crisps and Don't forget the Branston Pickle

Not a lot of people know this but most of the crisps here are Walkers. They're only called Walkers in the UK and the rest of the world know them as Lay. Reminds me of the Marathon bars which changed to Snickers to fall in with the rest of the world!

Most of the other stuff you can buy here albeit at a higher price.

You get a good pint of London Pride at Robin's Rest in Takiab!!

Taste nothing like Walkers. Might be adapted for the market but Lays ain't Walkers.

[fabman]

Why do they fill crisp packets up with air here ? Never quite got that . There are deffinately less crisps in the bags . Maybe the air ads weight .......

[margaretcarnes]

I need a definition of "cafe culture" as you're using it Mags? If it's simply the open air places in Europe where people sit all weekend and watch the world go by.....that was an aspect of travel there I really enjoyed and looked forward to.

I wouldn't think "pub culture" is much different...looking through windows at the world going by, or in some cases pubs have sidewalk tables I think.

Perhaps I'm being a bit too literal and you have a deeper meaning? Pete

OK - basically the UK Government extended pub opening hours in the belief that it would be a more civilised and Continental way, and would help to overcome the problem we had before of limited 'drinking up' time, when everyone rushed to the bar and got 2 pints in!
Then came the smoking ban, which encouraged more pubs/bars to have outdoor areas and tables. That in itself is fine, and in the right areas can look quite Continental. In other places which were never designed for it the result is a clutter of tables sprawling over town centre pavements.
So far not so bad, and it was all seen as a step in the right direction. But pubs began to lose trade - in part due to the smoking ban, and in part due to increasing taxation on alcohol. Meanwhile the supermarkets cut alcohol prices to the bone and increased their advertising.
So now we have a situation in many inner cities where pubs don't find it cost effective to open beyond about 11 pm anyway. Some tend to open later only at weekends, as do clubs. But we also have people who drink before they go out to the bars etc, because it is cheaper to drink at home. By the time they hit the bars they are half cut.

So it's a combination of things really. I do realise that unless people live in inner cities in the UK they probably don't see the extent of the problem. And the kind of people mentioned earlier - bankers - IT consultants etc working in places like Luxembourg are more likely to be people who can moderate themselves, and of course have to be professional. But many Brits at home are, for a variety of reasons, letting their drinking get out of hand.

And this is one of the changes in UK culture which I think long term expats often don't fully appreciate. Maybe they think reports are exagerated. I only know what I see for myself here, which includes people wandering around the streets mid morning with tinnies. Please don't get me wrong - I go to the pubs with friends. But these days we are more careful about where we go.

[margaretcarnes]

Why do they fill crisp packets up with air here ? Never quite got that . There are deffinately less crisps in the bags . Maybe the air ads weight .......

It's to stop the crisps getting squashed in the cartons. But I do think there's more air and less crisp now. Same same with Hula Hoops....

[MrPlum]

The two most discontented individuals I have met here were a German and American.

[Dr Mike]

Following several posts, I think it is time for a competition.

The Mr Grumpy Cup

To be awarded the grumpiest ex-pat in Hua Hin

Please nominate your choice

[richard]

Following several posts, I think it is time for a competition.

The Mr Grumpy Cup

To be awarded the grumpiest ex-pat in Hua Hin

Please nominate your choice

You never look too cheerful when I see you in Binta so I think the first vote must go to you

[MrPlum]

You never look too cheerful when I see you in Binta so I think the first vote must go to you

Never judge a book by its cover. Have enjoyed many an entertaining tale from Dr Mike.

[moose 961]

l meet him, he gets my vote