Posted: January 12th, 2013, 7:52 pm
Congrats that you speak Thai. I suppose you are just as fluent as a native. But what good has it done you? It seems to have damaged you pretty severely. I, on the other hand, know some Thai, but do not speak it fluently. I've already spent at least a couple years on the ground in Thailand and have owned some properties for quite awhile. I have fared much better than you have cus I've had a lot of fun and made good money in country.ladislav wrote:
Rock, I speak Thai and Filipino and spent a long time in both countries. Do learn both languages and stay in those two countries long term and tell me which one you like better after that couple of years. Work there and deal with them in Thai and in Filipino languages and hear what they say. Then we will talk. In the meantime, this argument is unequal because you don't know what they say. And you do not have enough experience of living in ( not visiting) both countries. And this comes with time and long hard years of solid living.
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OTH, why would I stay in Phils for a couple years when a couple months there is enough to drive me crazy??? Unlike Winston, I vote pretty quickly with my feet. Me becoming fluent in every Filipino language is not going to change the crappy food, the short unattractive girls, the dysfunctional infrastructure, or the horrible pollution.
In Thailand, I can enjoy one of the best entertainment infrastructures in the world, eat quality food, enjoy a variety of cultures from all over the world, and be exposed to hot women both local and foreign, and have 24/7 fun on the cheap. OTH, in Phils, the infrastructure and food suck, prices are significantly higher, girls are much plainer and less diverse (virtually no foreign women available), and entertainment options are terrible (ask Mr. S). Yes, I've been all over Pampanga. Some of the local girls there are taller and better looking but that's on a relative basis. The lookers are still very few and far between. And anyway, they are generally not available to foreigners like you and me. I doubt your native language skills could land you even one of them unless she was in extreme need of a sugar daddy. But those types tend to be a lot more financially independent so that is not likely.
Only a small percentage of foreigners who go Thailand to live the 'fun life' with easy parties and hot women go on to make the mistake you made of trying to go too local. However, many do learn Thai and/or in country dialects if they are curious enough about the culture.
Why would anyone wanna bother settling into so-called real Thailand when they can live the fun life in the tourist areas or even certain areas of Issan? The point is to be happy, not force a square peg into a round hole.
To go or not to go native to be Happiest Abroad? Depends very much on the country. In Thai or Phils., why bother if life is a so much better when you know your place as an expat or foreign resident. OTH, in Latin America, it makes a lot of sense cus people expect it of you. In a country like Taiwan, I would say it can be good either way whereas in China, you should at least get a working knowledge of the national language unless you are only going to stay in Tier 1 cities. In Japan or S. Korea, you need to accept your place as an outsider but learning the language may help you function a lot better.
BTW, I'm pretty fluent in English. So I suppose I'm an expert on the USA, UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand, lol. Actually, I feel like an outsider in all of those places even tho I grew up in States and lived in UK for nearly 3 years.
Anyway, since you've left this discussion, no need to reply anymore.
