Boys to Men

[Guest laurence]

Just when do Thai "boys" become Thai "men"? Sure we all talk about boys but really mean guys about 18 or over. Even the Thais refer to themselves as "boys" but not in the sense of what a farang might consider a boy. Even my bf says, "I not young boy anymore" meaning he is over 18yo. Sort of like, in the USA, all blacks were referred to as "boy".,We even refer to the police as "boys in brown".

In my case, anyone younger than I is a boy. Well, not really, maybe a good old boy.

 

I do get into trouble with farang friends in the USA when I use the term "boys" when speaking of my exploits in Thailand.

 

 

[Guest lvdkeyes]

. Sort of like, in the USA, all blacks were referred to as "boy".,

 

You could get into a whole lot more trouble referring to black men as "boy".

[Gaybutton]

in the USA, all blacks were referred to as "boy".

 

To set the record straight, I never referred to a black person as "boy" in my life and I never knew anyone who did. When I was growing up, black people were referred to as negroes. That eventually evolved into black and/or Afro-American.

 

I'm not someone who gives a damn about being politically correct. I don't even accept the idea that those who are politically correct are actually correct about a thing. But as far back as I can remember, the term I always used was simply "black".

 

As far as I know, the only people who referred to a black person as "boy" were those who were intentionally using the word as an insult or put-down, and most of those types were from areas that were not only segregated, but I wouldn't have been surprised if they advocated a re-establishment of slavery.

[Guest]

I pretty much refer to most that are younger than me as a boy. I guess I often view them that way. It is not meant as someone under 18. My meaning is simply someone younger than me. Just like when I call my gay friends in NYC "girlfriend". I don't mean that they are actually girls.

[Guest George]

Just when do Thai "boys" become Thai "men"?

 

Thai boys actually legally become men, when they attain the age of 20. At this age they no longer need the signatures of their parents for such things as; obtaining a passport and other legal documents and at this age, they are also able to legally own property and land in their own name. They are also at this age, able to drink in bars legally for the first time.

 

 

Cheers,

 

 

 

George.

 

[Guest TOQ]

I have been told by many boys that they consider themselves boys till they turn 25. At that point they become men and have to decide what to do for a living.. If that is the case, not many of them do.

 

john

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I have been told by many boys that they consider themselves boys till they turn 25.

 

john

 

Many years ago I wanted to off a waiter in a bar and he said he did not go with customers. I asked why not. He said "Because I am old boy". I asked how old and he said 27. I told him 27 was not too old for me, so off we went. He still considered himself a boy.

 

[Guest laurence]

Good replies guys. I really wasn't aware of the 20 yo legal definition given by George.

And the 25 yo decision point mentioned by TOQ does fit with my bf comments that he was no longer a "young boy" after he reached 25.

 

I think the big decision as to what they are going to do for a living depends on when their farang pulls the plug or, is it, plugs the financial pipeline?