Expat Identity: Do You Really Want to be Treated Like a Thai? [S6.E45]

Greg and Ed discuss whether or not they prefer to be treated the
same as Thai people are treated. On the one hand, after living in
Thailand for twenty years, the guys feel like they've 'earned'
the right to be accepted into Thai society and be treated with
the same respect a Thai person would be. Ed recounts his
frustration with meeting Thai people who do not 'wai' him even
after learning that he is an ajarn at a Thai university. On the
other hand, to be TRULY Thai, the boys would also be subject to
all the responsibilities of Thai people. More on that later.


Greg checks in with two of his friends from work, Aum and Nonglak
(thanks ladies!). In a short audio clip, they admit rarely if
ever bowing to foreigners, but contend this is not intended as
disrespect, but rather that farang are simply 'outside' of the
Thai system and therefore may not understand the significance of
various aspects of Thai culture. Ed confirms that his Thai friend
also makes a similar point: when Thais interact with foreigners
in Thailand, they simply do not consider them subject to the same
rules as Thai people. In short, Thai cultural norms don't apply
to non-Thais, even inside of Thailand.


The boys in the end note that in all fairness, if they demanded
to be treated exactly the same as Thais, they also would have to
fulfill all the obligations that 'senior' Thai people have. Ed
notes that at his university, the Thai Ajarns must attend various
ceremonies throughout the year, that he (as a foreigner) is
exempt from. And Greg paints the literally uncomfortable picture
of kneeling for hours, hands clasped, sweat rolling down your
face, at various Buddhist blessings and ceremonies. Both guys
agree that living in the 'in-between' zone of being able to opt
into but also out of Thai culture is actually a pretty
advantageous place to be. 


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