Pet Peeves

[Gaybutton]

My favorite dancer gets 100. I'd rather watch him dance than have him sit with me. If I buy him a drink, he stops dancing.

That happens to me too. What I do in that case is wait until he gets off the stage and then call him over.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

I just experienced another of my pet peeves. I was at the bank waiting in line and when the woman ahead of me was finished, this little Thai woman tried to jump in ahead of me. Are they that rude or just oblivious. The teller was about to take care of her when I said "Excuse me, I was here first." She said, "Sorry".

[Gaybutton]

The teller was about to take care of her when I said "Excuse me, I was here first." She said, "Sorry".

You didn't finish the story. You left out the best part. Was it the teller or the Thai lady who said "sorry"? And, did the teller then serve you or the Thai lady? If you were served first, how did the Thai lady respond? I hope she was pissed!

[Guest fountainhall]

this little Thai woman tried to jump in ahead of me

 

Queuing in general must be alien to Thai culture as queue-jumping seems to happen everywhere.

 

I had another example yesterday of not thinking beyond the present moment. Waiting to make a cash deposit at the Bangkok Bank's machine, I saw the lady in front pop in her card, type in her pin number etc., whereupon the cash 'door' opened. Only then did she go into her bag, get her purse out and put a Bt.1,000 note in. Taking GB's advice to heart, I just smiled - but that was hard!

 

Interesting comment about the 50 baht tip for the dancers

 

Agreed. But since 50 notes seem to be quite scarce, why not give them 2 x 20. I expect they'll be just as happy.

 

[Guest fountainhall]

When someone observes inappropriate behavior he can just blink the idiot and he/she returns home instantly

 

There's a nice story about Australia's most famous male ballet dancer, the late Sir Robert Helpman. Openly gay, Helpman was once in New York crossing one of the wide avenues when he dropped his umbrella. Quick as a flash (ooops) the cop on duty yelled out to him: "Hey fairy! You dropped your wand!"

 

Whereupon Helpman picked up the umbrella, waved it from left to right, then shouted back to the cop: "Vanish!"

[Guest lvdkeyes]

You didn't finish the story. You left out the best part. Was it the teller or the Thai lady who said "sorry"? And, did the teller then serve you or the Thai lady? If you were served first, how did the Thai lady respond? I hope she was pissed!

Sorry, the line jumper is the one who apologized. If she was pissed I don't know. She stepped behind me and I didn't look at her again. Obviously, the teller served me first as I am here to talk about it and not in jail for causing a disturbance.

[Gaybutton]

Here are a few more of my little peeves:

 

1. Opening a bank account. The stories I consistently hear about farang trying to open a Thai bank account. Why are some banks very restrictive about it and others seem to welcome farang without any problem? Why is it that one bank branch often will give you one answer and another branch of the same bank will give you an entirely different answer?

 

2. Mobile phone accounts. Farang can only open an account, at least with DTAC, if they hold a work permit. If you are retired, have a residence certificate, and can show you have lived in Thailand long term, you still can't open an account. You have to get a Thai to open an account for you instead, in his own name. Why? Who is least likely to pay the bill, a Thai or a farang? The strange thing is a farang can get a telephone land line in his own name with no problem at all. You get a monthly bill for that. A farang can subscribe to Internet service providers under their own name. You also get a monthly bill for that. So, what's the problem about mobile phone accounts? Do they think they're going to get a lot of farang skipping out on their bill? That's another one on my "I Don't Get It" list.

 

3. Potholes. There are few streets in Pattaya that fail to sport at least one or two potholes. Many have plenty more. My first peeve is that very few of them ever have any kind of a hazard marker. There have been many accidents, even deaths, when someone hits one of the more dangerous potholes and simply didn't spot it until it was too late. When they do mark them, half the time it's just a cut small tree branch that was stuck in the middle of the pothole. On the rare occasions when they actually repair the potholes, as soon as there is a heavy rain, there's the same potholes again, usually with a few nearby brothers.

 

4. Thai time. I've gotten used to it, but it can still be very annoying, especially when you are expecting a repairman or service technician. I can't even remember how many times I would be promised a "show up" time, but nobody shows up. Sometimes they do show up . . . hours later. Sometimes they don't show up at all. Of course, there is almost never a phone call telling you they will be late or can't come that day. Also, if you're with a Thai boy and he tells you he'll be back in an hour, be grateful if he shows up within three hours.

 

5. Junk. How many times have you purchased a small appliance or some sort of electronic device that breaks down or falls apart within three months or so? Wall electric sockets are notorious. They work fine and hold the plug beautifully for a month or two. Next thing you know, the plug simply falls out of the same socket or you have to jiggle it around to get it to work. And since nobody seems to believe in grounded electrical outlets, how many times have you received an unexpected shock?

 

6. The Bum's Rush. Often, in restaurants the waiter just can't wait to remove your plate. Too often they don't ask if you're finished. They just grab the plate and off they go. I've had several times when I haven't finished, am looking away toward someone I talking to, and when I look back, surprise! The plate is gone! Now, I know I can certainly stand going on a diet, but let me be the one who decides when it ought to begin, ok? Overly attentive waiters can be a little annoying too. It does tend to make me a little uncomfortable when a waiter, sometimes two or three of them, are just standing there, practically hovering over me, staring at me trying to eat. Then, of course, when they bring you your change, they love to stand there waiting to see how much of a tip you're going to leave.

 

7. Bottled water. My peeve is the prices many restaurants charge for bottled water. I buy bottled water in six-packs. Usually I'll buy a dozen six-packs at a time. The price? 210 baht. That works out to slightly less than 3 baht per bottle. I would imagine the restaurants buy their bottled water in wholesale lots. So, what are they doing charging as much as 30 to 45 baht for the same water?

 

8. Tree trimming. Every so often there are crews of workers that go around town trimming the trees. It's perfectly obvious to anyone that these people have had absolutely no training whatsoever in pruning techniques. Most of the time they simply butcher the tree. The branches are cut literally anywhere. Often, instead of at least cutting the branch correctly, they just cut from the top down. When a heavy branch falls, it takes huge portions of tree bark with it, leaving ugly large gashes in the tree. Many trees end up dying as a result.

 

Those are a few peeves that came to mind while I was sitting here thinking about it.

[Guest lvdkeyes]

4. Thai time.

I have a friend who told me of a workman who was supposed to arrive at a certain time. He didn't. Big surprise! He arrived 2 WEEKS later. My friend said, "You were supposed to be here two weeks ago." The worker's amazed response was, "I am here now."

[Guest fountainhall]

Thai time

 

I like a description I first heard in Bali - "rubber time".

 

Another less frustrating peeve - but a peeve nonetheless. I often frequent Starbucks and always order an "extra dry" cappuccino (never heard that expression outside Thailand - I hate the standard cappuccino here which is basically a latte with a quarter inch of froth on the top). In every store, the servers take some time to froth up the mllk. Only once the milk is ready do they then clean out the coffee holder, put in the fresh coffee and let it drip into the little glass. I cannot understand why they do not first set up the coffee and then, whilst it is dripping, froth the milk. Sure, it would only save maybe 15 seconds per cappuccino, but at busy periods it would cut down waiting time.

 

I cannot believe that cappuccino needs the frothed milk to cool a little before it is mixed with the coffee.

[Guest buckeroo2]

I just experienced another of my pet peeves. I was at the bank waiting in line and when the woman ahead of me was finished, this little Thai woman tried to jump in ahead of me. Are they that rude or just oblivious. The teller was about to take care of her when I said "Excuse me, I was here first." She said, "Sorry".

 

That happens to me all the time - I am in a queue 9 (bank, 7-11, wherever) and someone reaches over me to do their business as if I am not there. I always touch myself to see if maybe I am invisible. My Thai friends do the same thing when I am with them. When I ask for an explanation they always so it is OK, no problem.

[Guest buckeroo2]

My pet peeve is how easily Thais accept living in noisy environs. I live in a condo on a low floor and I am constantly fighting a losing battle to lessen the noise around me. I am not talking about daily noise that is unavoidable - but loud CD stalls that sell music all night until 7 AM - pool parties in the middle of the night- cats living in the walls of the condo crying all night, housing a 24 hr squawking parrot outside my condo by a condo staff member. - I try the polite approach, the bribery approach, appealing to their sense of fairness - so many Thais tell me that I should change rooms - that seems to be the #1 resolution suggestion. When I let them know that I own the condo and selling is not an option, they suggest I close my windows and turn on the air- conditioning, buy ear plugs, try to understand that other residents love these animals - even though the condo has a no pet rule. My condo manager even told me that I have to understand that noise is part of Thailand and cannot think this is my country. He is one of the ones suggesting I buy ear plugs to eliminate the noise being made by illegal pets. Again I am not talking about traffic, regular daily street noise - but loud 24/7 noise that prevents me from sleeping. When I discuss this with my Thai friends they just shrug and say TIT - this is Thailand - hope someday I can be this mellow - but now I am sleep deprived and really grouchy and trying to understand the culture in regards to noise.

[Gaybutton]

selling is not an option

If that is the case, then you're stuck. Legal or illegal, all you're likely to accomplish is ending up with enemies who, in the long run, won't change a thing. The best suggestion I can think of is to invest in having at least your bedroom soundproofed.

 

I read so many stories about people trying to deal with similar situations. Letters-to-the-editor appear quite often in the English language local newspapers too. I'm one of the lucky ones. I live in a quiet neighborhood and I'm never plagued with noise at night. I think I'll stay put.

[Guest fountainhall]

I live in a condo on a low floor and I am constantly fighting a losing battle to lessen the noise around me

 

I totally agree and sympathise with you. I suggest this is much more than just a 'peeve'. Thais seem to be quite uncomfortable in a quiet environment. Living in Bangkok one is bombarded with noise virtually everywhere. I wonder if anyone realises the long-term effect this has on their hearing. I even find the decibel level in some shopping malls verging on the painful.

 

I have lived in 6 condos in various countries since moving to Asia 30 years ago.When deciding where to rent - or in Bangkok, to buy - the absence of a noisy environment has been very high on my list of priorities. Here I finally found a small top floor flat in an 8 storey condo. I really had no intention of buying in this area - thought it would be boring! - until I realised there is an absence of main roads, no public transport, there are no bars or restaurants nearby - and almost the only sounds I hear regularly are from the birds and the wind blowing through my bamboo chimes. Yet the expressway and MRT are only 5 minutes away, and the Skytrain about 10.

 

I wonder if you have tried the wax ear plugs you can buy at some branches of Boots. These are far more effective than the airline-type ones. I always have them with me when I travel. Since they 'melt' into the ear, you are hardly aware of them after a minute or so, and they do block out all but decibel-busting disco music. If you cannot find them, I'll be happy to get some for you so you can try them.

[Gaybutton]

If you cannot find them, I'll be happy to get some for you so you can try them.

Better still, tell us where you get them. I understand you get them at Boots. Have you seen them for sale elsewhere too? I have a feeling more than one person would benefit from these.

[Guest fountainhall]

I understand you get them at Boots. Have you seen them for sale elsewhere too?

 

No. Boots make them and so they are exclusively available at their branches - but often not the smaller ones. Their official name is "Muffles Wax Earplugs" and come in small boxes of 10. They are supposed to be used only once, but I find if I wash and dry them thoroughly the morning after using them, they'll last for at least 3 nights.

[Guest laurence]

You forgot to mention, GB, that the waiters are nowhere to be seen or heard when it comes time to present the check bin at restaurants. The customer becomes invisible and the waiter disappears.

[Gaybutton]

the waiters are nowhere to be seen or heard when it comes time to present the check bin at restaurants.

You know something, that's right! And that's one of my peeves, now that you mention it. It seems that whenever I go to a restaurant, if I want a waiter's attention they don't even look my direction. On the other hand, if I don't need them for anything, that's when they're hovering over my table. How do they do that?

[Guest MonkeySee]

One of my pet peeves is when a boy says that he does "everything," and mamasan confirms it, but then when "tire meets the road," it is a diferent story. Usually, no big deal and I still have fun, but being lied to is annoying.

[Guest fountainhall]

but being lied to is annoying

 

Oh no, no, no, no, no! Thais under such circumstances never lie! They believe it when they say it. They just assume you will be gullible enough to believe that your nice warm feeling at the contribution you are making to the new water buffalo results in you changing your mind.l

[Guest buckeroo2]

No. Boots make them and so they are exclusively available at their branches - but often not the smaller ones. Their official name is "Muffles Wax Earplugs" and come in small boxes of 10. They are supposed to be used only once, but I find if I wash and dry them thoroughly the morning after using them, they'll last for at least 3 nights.

 

I bought earplugs at the Boots at Avenue Complex but they are not the ones you describe. These are made of foam - you roll them between your fingers , making them smaller - and then you insert them in your ears where they expand. They are quite uncomfortable for me. I think there are 6 in the package and they cost 150 baht. The instructions say they can be washed and reused. I used them one night and never tried them again. Then I bought ear plugs at Watson's with the same result - uncomfortable and mildly painful. Is there a Boots here in Pattaya that sells the Muffles Wax Earplugs?

 

Actually the music from the CD stalls is showing some improvement. I have a good friend who has a friend who works on staff of one of the deputy mayors. After we met with her she promised to send out some officials after midnight to investigate- not sure if they were police or not - that next night I had to go out to the street to see if the CD stall was still there - it was that quiet - the CD stall was there but the volume was that muted. I will see how long that lasts.

 

Another point - Pattaya City hall has a help line - 1337 - it is answered 24/7 and the recording gives you the option to press "9" for an English speaking operator. They are quite accomodating, listen patiently and try to resolve the problem at hand. They even told me to call back if the noise did not go down in the next 30 minutes. Usually the noise subsided for a few hours after my call and then it went back up and I called again and the same process repeated itself. Last night I had no noise - none - and I got to sleep until the bird started squawking at 6:30 AM - It is now 11:30 AM and the bird is still going strong but I am a happy camper - I got some sleep last night - thank goodness for little favors.

 

And the condo manager has promised me he reached an agreement with the bird owner and the bird will be removed by Feb 14.

 

Thanks for some of the helpful suggestions.

[Guest fountainhall]

Is there a Boots here in Pattaya that sells the Muffles Wax Earplugs?

 

Not sure if Pattaya branches sell them. If you can send me an email with your address, I'll happily send you a couple of the wax ones for you to try. I said in my earlier post that each box has ten. You are supposed to use one in each ear, but I find they're large enough to cut in two. So the box of 10 can last as long as a month with washing after each use.

 

I agree with you on the foam earplugs - can't stand them. I only use these on overnight flights when the wax ones could cause harm to the ear drum if there was a sudden drop in cabin pressure.

 

[Guest shebavon]

Another option, and which seem to be available at many pharmacies in Pattaya, including the one closest to Dongtan Beach, is made from Silicone, and easily shape to fit your ear. I believe a pair costs less than 150 baht, and are easily cleaned in alcohol.

 

With the noise level too loud in many of the places I regularly frequent, I never leave home without them.

[Guest buckeroo2]

The street noise has been absent for the past few nights. It was eerily quiet so I went out to the street during the middle of the night only to find that all 3 CD stalls within 30 meters of each other were gone - empty spaces. I do not think that could be a coincidence for all 3 to close up shop at the same time. I am thankful for small miracles - persistence pays off. Try dialing 1337 when you have a Pattaya City problem - it might just resolve your problem. So, I will not need the earplugs - until someone else moves into the neighborhood- thanks again for the empathy and all of the suggestions.

[Guest laurence]

Another option for the noisy bird is some cigar smoke. They are sensitive to smoke, like canaries in a coal mine. The results can be long lasting.

[Gaybutton]

all 3 CD stalls within 30 meters of each other were gone

Quite often these stalls are owned by the same people. Have you ever seen the series of about 15 or so fruit stands, one after another, out on the highways? All owned by the same people. That's the most likely reason why all three CD stalls disappeared overnight. Just why they disappeared is anybody's guess, but you definitely lucked out . . . for the time being.