Life in Thailand Poll No.7 (Temptations)

[Spitfire]

Everyone has the aspirations of having a better life here when they move with plans for this and that but what are the main dangers to derailing it all. I suppose it's different for each person so this might make a good poll as there are plenty that mess it all up and end up returning on the plane back to from whence they came.

What do you consider the main danger or what is you main vice or your 'Achilles Heel' that you must watch and keep in check so that you don't mess up what has been hard won to get here?

There are of course some obvious ones but there are others too like over eating as the cuisine is very good or sloth as it's so hot with a relaxed 'it doesn't matter' attitude everywhere, especially if you live out of town.

For me, it's definitely booze, as after I have worked all day, it's very difficult not to have 2-3 beers, which is not the end of the world, but not good as the recommended weekly intake is way below that maker. In an ideal world, for me, it would be just boozing at the weekends only whilst being dry in the week, but haven't quite sorted that one yet.

Women aren't as much of a temptation as they used to be but there's a mighty fine view everywhere and is certainly an ever-present danger I suppose....so just an admiring 'window-shopper' these days.

So, what do you have to watch out for these days here to avoid hitting the red button?

[buksida]

Voted beer and 'itchy feet', I like my brew and I'm always in the mood to travel and see new places - its what brought me here in the first place.

Would have voted cynicism also if three were permitted!

[Pleng]

Other (Please specify if legal)

[hhfarang]

I needed three voting options as alcohol, food, and sloth are the temptations I have succumbed to here... mostly because I just don't feel like doing anything in this heat, so I tend to lay about at home and eat and drink my life away while annoying you forum folks or watching TV.

[Pleng]

I voted spending too much, but that pretty much encapsulates every other item on the list!

I came here on a tight budget. If I stick to that budget, things will be better next year, and the subsequent year even better. If I keep creeping above that budget (as I am doing at the moment :S) then my lifestyle will remain pretty consistent for the next few years.

I undoubtedly have a much better lifestyle here than where I left behind, but human nature is to want. And in a land where everything is available; maintaining that budget isn't easy!

[richard]

I'm an optimistic nomad but purse strings have me penned down at the moment

[bonnielass]

Interesting post. I voted booze and optimism.

Having spent 17 years in a hot climate, you always feel in holiday mode, and it is far too easy to succumb to a cool glass of wine or G&T at the end of each day. Been trying to restrict consumption to weekends only but old habits die hard.

I have always been the eternal optimist, I think everything will be alright on the night, but who knows.....

Funny talking about the distraction of women, I know several female friends who have refused to consider LOS as a retirement option, for fear their husband will be tempted and run off with a younger model.

Now I have to ask myself, is my optimism giving me a false sense of security, or will I get traded in when I get past my sell by date???? Hmmmm.....

[Spitfire]

Looks like beer and cynicism whilst spending too much are doing well......

I forgot to mention that those that are yet to arrive, but it's going to happen anyway, could speculate what they might have to watch as most have way enough experience of being here to have a good idea of what the pitfalls might be once actually here.

[dtaai-maai]

... it is far too easy to succumb to a cool glass of wine or G&T at the end of each day.

It's waiting until the end of the day that's the problem...

[migrant]

I forgot to mention that those that are yet to arrive, but it's going to happen anyway, could speculate what they might have to watch as most have way enough experience of being here to have a good idea of what the pitfalls might be once actually here.

Ok I fall into this category. I voted booze and itchy feet.

Booze because it's too easy to start early if you aren't working

And itchy feet. My biggest item on my projected budget is travel, which Mrs M and I like. With the extra time of not working, will have to be careful.
I guess that could also have been spend to much money

[Super Joe]

Spending too much in order to drink too much in order to block out the mindnumbingly tedious bouts of depression I suffer from reading cynical, pessimistic tales of woe about how Thailand is ruining someone's life. We can all blame someone else

SJ

[hhfarang]

SJ, can you please tell me where you got your rose colored glasses (like the one's that turn those mountains back into molehills). I'm in serious need of a pair.

[Khundon1975]

"So, what do you have to watch out for these days here to avoid hitting the red button?"

I have to watch out for the wife but there was no vote button for that.

[TingTongJohn]

I have never strayed from my wife but could see it as a temptation or so it would seem atleast to me. I have been hit on by some very attractive younger Thai females who are looking for a bit of a sugar daddy as of course all us male westerners are rich(Not). As I do not drink that is not an issue but food would be second and you could tell just by looking at me..Sigh...I hope with the heat I will slim up abit when I take the plunge in the future and live full time in Hua Hin. But once again I find the the Thai female sect very sexy so shoot me.

TTJ

[Vital Spark]

I've ticked being a bit too cavalier and cynical, as to me the two seem to go hand in hand.

When I find I'm being too cynical (which happens fairly often) I try to see it from their point of view, then in pops the cavalier 'so what', 'never mind', 'ho hum', don't get stressed about it attitude. I think it keeps me reasonably sane...

VS