social interactions

Before settling in Thailand, most of us spent most of our lives in a Western style social environment. Although our lives were different: different education level, different occupation, different financial level, etc., the protocols for social interactions were not entirely different. For example, if you invite someone for a visit or a meal, you would know what to expect in response, same if you would exchange contact information with a new person.
Do you think that similar protocols apply here, at least among the expats? Or, are you sometimes surprised that they do not? Got any examples?

Ray.Charles wrote:Before settling in Thailand, most of us spent most of our lives in a Western style social environment. Although our lives were different: different education level, different occupation, different financial level, etc., the protocols for social interactions were not entirely different. For example, if you invite someone for a visit or a meal, you would know what to expect in response, same if you would exchange contact information with a new person.
Do you think that similar protocols apply here, at least among the expats? Or, are you sometimes surprised that they do not? Got any examples?

It is my opinion that most falang expats living here are a ''different breed'' than your normal falang in their home countries,that is why they are here.More adventurous,more desirous of independence in thinking and actions(well intended or not),less prone to ''normal'' protocols!Take away the daily stress of work and economic challenge,replace it with an inexpensive lifestyle and ''walla'',changes will occur.
I don't concern myself with the behavior of other falangs as I don't feel a great need for personal social interaction very often,preferring brief friendly get togethers without the intimacy involved in close personal friendships.To start with,I hate gossip!As much as I believe it is none of my business what others are thinking of me outside of being a good neighbor,I don't believe it is my business to worry or be concerned about what others are doing or not doing in their personal lives!Although some of the gamemanship between the falang and Thai counterparts is intersting to the point of understanding or developing awareness!

I think many falangs feel like they are thrown together in a small pot and develop relationships with each other,that they wouldn't even consider in there home ountries.The same applies for the relayionships between the Thai wives and G/Fs of the falangs,they interact with each other out of politeness rather than desire.It is not uncommon to see them sitting together with nothing to say after a few meetings after the preliminary talks and the somtom are finished(different tribes from different areas,plus maybe they are wary of revealing falang partners ''secrets'')

Bottomline,change the cultural norms,change the social interaction protocols!

Hi,
Agree with stan 100%. It hits the nail on the head. Well said sir.

For us its impossible to behave the same we do in our hometown. Thailand has its own magic and test, accordingly our attitudes thoughs are change.

we socialize with friends at night club, work and gym. with our wives and thiers oftenly. here we are not anymore collegues at work neither our wives and kids are equally like (Same college, work, club....ex) instead your GF might be bar girl or ex massage expert, and when they meet they discuss how much they get out of you and what they have and eagar to obtain.

we in our home town try to save our faces, discuss available oppurtonities and our ambitious, the new car we want to buy and what the next neighber did . Here we are old when we meet sure a Thai girl we saw or we met or our neighber had is our first topic. As the manners of Thais among them are very difficult to understand for us we like to continously point ourt that the Wai should be avoided as much possible.

No we dont socialize the same we do in our home town, yes we do meet oftenly more than we do in our home town. but we talk rubbish and never as before.

Why we dont share in special account and buy/rent a land, convert it to Western Club that has lots of activity and sport leisure exclusive for .......... just a thought