Chas wrote:Its who you are and not what you have that counts.
Not in Thailand! Here it is what you HAVE and what you can flaunt.
Have to agree. Would also add that my g/f seems to know and accept her 'place' in the pecking order. Every time she would say 'You hi-so, me lo-so', I would beat her to pulp with a pillow. 'Not in this house!' her champion stoutly declares. 'You may wash, clean, scrub, iron, cook, do the garden, take out the trash, clean the car, all in hot-pants... but in THIS house we are equal.'
Poor girl is also under the delusion that I'm a man of means and ability.
'You're kidding. Don't you know I'm a fully paid up member of FILTH?' (Failed in London, Tried Hong Kong) I'm only in Thailand because I no longer have the energy to flog myself to death on the mouse wheel.'
'What mouse wheel?', she queries. I skirt around the subject not wanting to shatter her illusions of western 'success'.
I turn the focus back on her... 'Why do you think like this? You are whatever you want to be.'
Blank expression.
'I not have paper. If you want high in Thailand, have to have paper'.
I come back with 'You don't understand. The most humble roadsweeper makes a far greater contribution to this country and society in general than managers, bankers and educated despoilers of the environment... blah....blah'.
Completely lost now... 'Roadsweeper not have money'.
When she's with other Thais she is clearly funny and gets on well with everyone so I know she's compus mentis. Her English is coming along but not so well that she feels comfortable in the company of other foreigners. If a 'scouse', 'brummie' or 'poxy jock' comes along, forget it.
I think the Thais are no different to, say, the UK, where a poverty of aspiration also exists. I have yet to see the Thais celebrate their ignorance quite as much as we do. But then I don't get out much.
Apologies for any resemblance to members
A quick check of her aspirations... 'What do you want your daughter to be?'
Thinks for a moment... 'Get good job in hotel'.
'That's it?' I ask. 'Why not a president, business leader, scientist, etc...'
Puzzled look. 'Cannot', she comes back. 'Skin too black. Not know people.'
I wasn't aware that teachers in Somtawin, who have good qualifications, get paid 6000 baht a month. One Thai Somtawin teacher we know, applied to Yamsaard and was told no... overqualified. The school would have had to pay her too much.
There are no end to those with IQs above 100 working for those with IQs below 100 who, as has been said, are 'streetsmart'.
Although I may sound out others, I tend to agree with her simple assessment of people.
'Heart good. Heart no good.'
