Maid Woes

[Name Taken]

There really is not very much incentive in learning to speak thai fluently when you consider the fact that the only place in the world where thai is spoken is Thailand. I don't think people deserve to be ripped off or scammed simply because they can't 'poot thai'.

[barrys]

There really is not very much incentive in learning to speak thai fluently when you consider the fact that the only place in the world where thai is spoken is Thailand. I don't think people deserve to be ripped off or scammed simply because they can't 'poot thai'.

I think you're addressing 2 separate issues here:

While I would agree with the second half of your statement, i.e. there is no justification for being 'ripped off or scammed' on the basis of a lack of linguistic proficiency, I would think that if someone has chosen to live here, that should provide sufficient "incentive" to at least become familiar with the rudimentary elements of the language of the home they have adopted, irrelevant of who does or doesn't speak it elsewhere,

[margaretcarnes]

Name Taken waffled on about.....

It really is a shame that foreigners living in Thailand have to constantly keep their guard up to avoid being ripped off, scammed,

I have never in over 20 years been either 'ripped off' or 'scammed' ( bar the 'odd' 10 baht added on to prices here and there, worry about that and you really are sad ). I find that, if you can speak Thai, you will never have any problem with these issues. Thai people appreciate the fact that you obviously submerged yourself enough in their culture to learn their language.
If you have been here many years and you still can't speak conversational Thai then you are the same as a tourist, in their eyes, basically so end up being stitched up on things. If you can't be bothered to learn their language why SHOULD they appreciate or respect you and give you normal deals. Turn the situation around..... and how would you deal with it.

Yes of course speaking some Thai helps EDork. But it doesn't IMO solve the basic problem of difference in culture, attitude and work ethic. Farang can gain respect by being polite and respectful, regardless of their command of the Thai language. In return all that farang expect - whether tourist or resident - is to be treated fairly - and to be able to go about their lives safely.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that mutual respect goes much deeper than any language difficulties.
But the point Pete makes isn't about that kind of respect really. I've no doubt he has treated his Thai staff very well. The fact is that for many Thais there is only a transitory commitment to whatever work they are doing - and whoever they are working for. Their family issues take priority. So on the one hand we respect Thais for their family values - often now lost in the west - but on the other hand we complain when their family issues take priority over work commitments.
No amount of language skills can alter the fact that our cultures and outlooks are different. And no amount of language skills can excuse the use of violence on either part.

[barrys]

margaretcarnes wrote: "No amount of language skills can alter the fact that our cultures and outlooks are different."

True, it can't alter the fact, but without meaningful communication - and I'm afraid that means language - we haven't even got a hope of understanding those differences.

[Name Taken]

If you have been here many years and you still can't speak conversational Thai then you are the same as a tourist, in their eyes, basically so end up being stitched up on things

From a legal standpoint we are all just 'tourists', unless you are one of the very few that have permanent residency or thai citizenship.

[E-Dork]

I don't need to discuss what visa I am on but I certainly aint a tourist.

The fact of the matter is (being ripped off or not) you should be speaking their language . You use their country to enjoy a better lifestyle so have the bloody decency to learn their language. I think it's plain arrogance if you don't.

Name Taken...

There really is not very much incentive in learning to speak thai fluently when you consider the fact that the only place in the world where thai is spoken is Thailand. I don't think people deserve to be ripped off or scammed simply because they can't 'poot thai'.

Your IQ really is quite low isn't it??? Why the hell are you here in their country if you think so little of their language. THEY use it don't they. YOU are in THEIR country aren't you. So to be able to communicate with you THEY should have to use English should they. I can't wait for the petition ........ NAME TAKEN has contacted the authorities complaining about the poor English skills in Hua Hin of the Thai people. The authorites are going to bow down to NAME TAKENS request and have all Thai people learn English as it would be horrendous for foreigners to have to learn a language they can ONLY use in this country!!!

[Name Taken]

I don't need to discuss what visa I am on but I certainly aint a tourist.

The fact of the matter is (being ripped off or not) you should be speaking their language . You use their country to enjoy a better lifestyle so have the bloody decency to learn their language. I think it's plain arrogance if you don't.

Name Taken...

There really is not very much incentive in learning to speak thai fluently when you consider the fact that the only place in the world where thai is spoken is Thailand. I don't think people deserve to be ripped off or scammed simply because they can't 'poot thai'.

Your IQ really is quite low isn't it??? Why the hell are you here in their country if you think so little of their language. THEY use it don't they. YOU are in THEIR country aren't you. So to be able to communicate with you THEY should have to use English should they. I can't wait for the petition ........ NAME TAKEN has contacted the authorities complaining about the poor English skills in Hua Hin of the Thai people. The authorites are going to bow down to NAME TAKENS request and have all Thai people learn English as it would be horrendous for foreigners to have to learn a language they can ONLY use in this country!!!

Welcome to my ignore list Dork.

[Norseman]

E-Dork: will you please calm down and take a look in our T&C about Membership Responsibilities!!

Consider this as a warning and stop insulting other members!!

[lindosfan1]

Name taken, I do not know your nationality, but if people come to the UK we expect them to learn English that is the language spoken. Why should the Thais have to understand English why not German or Swedish. It is good manners to at least attempt to speak the language and gains respect if you try.

[E-Dork]

Norseman for some reason replied...

E-Dork: will you please calm down and take a look in our T&C about Membership Responsibilities!!

Consider this as a warning and stop insulting other members!!

I know I shouldn't be questioning your warning but I feel that I have to. I replyed to a post which was belittling the Thai language, even to the point of saying that it is of NO use. This forum has a learning Thai language thread yet 'Name Taken' say's that we are all being stupid to learn a language that we cannot use elsewhere.

Now you.... the Moderater are giving me a slap on the wrist for giving a blunt reply to a guy who was insulting the Thai people by saying that learning their language is a waste of time.

All this coming from a THAI forum. You don't have to explain your actions of course but maybe I should just continue insulting Thai's on this forum.... is that what this forums for is it?

Which members have I insulted then Norseman.

[Lev]

I know I shouldn't be questioning your warning but I feel that I have to.

All this coming from a THAI forum. You don't have to explain your actions of course but maybe I should just continue insulting Thai's on this forum.... is that what this forums for is it?

You are officially on a warning, our terms and conditions clearly state that you will not question moderator actions publically. You were warned previously for making personal insults - it has nothing to do with Thais or their language.

Question this and it will result in final warning and suspension - we do not wish for that action and we do not wish to lock this thread which is about maids, not language so please back to topic.

[E-Dork]

Sorry Lev, I should have not replied on the thread. I forgot about PMs. Warning accepted.

[old pro]

I have lived in Asia for nearly 30 years now..been in nearly every country here...had a few frustrations in each one cause I didn't speak the language but thats' my problem..I have a house in Hua Hin..I don't speak Thai but I have built up a network of workers who speak good english...plumbers, joiners, electricians. accountants, lawyers, maids, gardeners, pool guys, air con guys...it's not rocket science..you just need patience and you can find the right people..learning Thai is not important..even my caddy speaks good English..

[Khundon1975]

We had 2 maids in the beach house, they did all the cleaning, gardening, (there wasn't much to do as the neighbors gardener cut our lawns weekly) washing and most of the daily shopping. But wife would have none in the other house or at the farm. Said she "wanted peace and privacy", which she did not get with 2 maids in the house. She felt they were "hard work" when they bought all their problems to our door. Despite this, we did pay them very well and gave them their meals and cloths, we also paid for the kids schooling, their motorbike repairs and fuel, hospital treatment ETC, ETC.
The list was endless but that is what the wife wanted, so who was I to argue with her

I have to agree tho, that for them (the Thais) to understand us farangs, it is easier if we pick up at least a smattering of Thai and I did my best to at least learn some basic Thai, not easy at my age.
Having said that, our maids spoke quite good English and preferred to use it when speaking to us, in order to improve their spoken English.
Occasionally, my wife would take them to one side and talk in hushed Thai tones, I suspect to correct them if they had done something wrong.

Once the girls knew our routine they did a very good job and we had very little trouble from them in the years they looked after us. In fact they are still there and are still an important part of our household.

The alternative, is to do as Pete has done and roll up your sleeves and break out the hose pipe, but then we would all need a WP

[BaaBaa.]

we did pay them very well and gave them their meals and cloths, we also paid for the kids schooling, their motorbike repairs and fuel, hospital treatment ETC, ETC.

Got any jobs going?