Communication, intent and preference...

[Guest citycolour]

Hey everyone.

 

First time travelling alone on a sort of 'gay' holiday in a few weeks time. Hoping to spend most of my time on the beach, and winding down from what has been a very busy year so far.

 

I have a job interview to start off the holiday with in Bangkok, so will unfortunately have to remain somewhat serious for the first couple of days, but intend to head south, via the east, and so on.

 

Which leaves me wondering currently, what is the level of proficiency of most Thai boys in the larger built up areas such as Bangkok and Pattaya?

 

I'm sure there will be a few very awkward conversations had in the first couple of days and weeks - and would really like to avoid that. So, any recommendations or words of advice on how to properly prepare myself for such conversations!

 

Thanks!

[Bob]

I'll give you an "A" with respect to the novelty of the question. I've been around various boards for 15+ years and I don't think I've ever seen the question posed. That is, presuming I even understand what you mean here.

 

So, wondering if you'd first indicate what you mean by "level of proficiency." Do you simply mean their (I do presume you're talking about barboys here) ability to converse in English or do you also mean their ability to converse on interesting and/or intellectual topics?

[kokopelli]

Why did I think citycolor was asking about level of proficieny in the bed? Pillow talk!

[KhorTose]

Why did I think citycolor was asking about level of proficieny in the bed? Pillow talk!

 

Because your a fertility god, at least that is what your BF says about you.

 

However, I think he means proficency in English. Guess what, you will have no problem finding a job if you plan to teach English here. The thais have one of the lowest levels of proficiency in Asia. What you are going to have to deal with is a lot of Thai English teachers who really do not have a clue about how to teach English. Some of the bar boys speak passable English but many just know phrases like, "where your from", "what your name", "how much you pay me", etc....

You will find the pay is not that good, but in compensation Thailand has some of the best looking gay young men in the world and you can make good money with private lessons. The closer to Bangkok you are the better the pay and the better the English, but the cost are also higher. Good luck and feel free to use this board for all and any questions you may have. Good group here that will try to help.

[Bob]

I suppose it's possible, KT, but I don't think the OP is asking about English proficiency in the sense of helping him assess his teaching English to them. But, what the heck, I could be wrong as I often don't have a clue.

 

So, Citycolor, what is it you're really asking? Fair question, I think, given three readers (two of whom have some proficiency in English.....I say only "two" just to keep somebody guessing) have three different interpretations.

[Guest citycolour]

Hello again everyone!

 

Apologies for not being a little clearer.

 

My question I suppose was generally about the level of conversational English as I'm obviously going to be holidaying alone for a while after the interview.

 

I'm quite a chatty person, and was wondering last night what your experiences have been when talking with Thai guys. Whether that is sat around in a bar, on the beach, a trip out or wherever. General conversations right through to all the rest! I do find some T guys very attractive, which is why I suspected it would be awkward if there were little conversation flowing outside of the general niceties!

 

I'm sure I will meet English speaking tourists and the like which is all well and good, but when in Thailand... I was hoping to make some Thai friends!

 

Hope this clears it up a bit.

[pong]

varies-what else would you have expected as answer?

But the basic things have been said by KTose: do not expect too much. Thai are among themselves- very chatty, but when you are advanced enough to understand it, you wonder why you made all that trouble- it is usual even more boring as the average soap on Euro TV. Do NOT expect any type of what we call ''intellectual'' discussion anywhere-not even among university lectors. Also: abandon that euro-way of thinking, it does not work that way in TH. Abandon any wish for any intellectual reasoning-it does not exist. But that does not mean that making contacts is very difficult-it is probably much easier as in EUr. Also becse all that idiot grouping on age, how you look, preference etc. is also very unThai. At populair beachside places, do not really expect many Thai to meet-they only come from afar to work there. One of the most populair islands among young bekpekking farang (Koh Tao) has in fact (psst-no one knows or is supposed to know) many more Burmese workers-many illegal, as Thai.

[Guest anonone]

As with most things, there will be a range of profiecieny based on the individual person. While I am sure there are exceptions, more rural / farm areas will have less profieciency with English than you may find in Bangkok.

 

If you are referring to the commercial scene (gogo bars, host bars, etc), some of the longer-term staff members will be able to communicate fairly well. Those "straight from the farm" will have picked up about 5 phrases and after that, it becomes more body language than English....but they are very good at the body language part.

 

Good luck with the interview, and feel free to ask any question that may pop into your mind. First time on a "gay" holiday can be a blast in Thailand.

[Guest citycolour]

That's all very interesting advice, which make me think my job interview is going to be like nothing else i've ever experience before.

 

All of the Thai staff at the place of work speak and write in perfect English, and I am told the interview is judged on merit alone. Though - I feel like there may be some underlying things they are looking for beyond merit from what you have said?

 

Any advice in that respect?

[Guest fountainhall]

Of the good advice so far offered, I'd suggest that thinking and speaking using western logic will not get you very far. The fact is that Thai logic is so very different from western logic that even those who have lived here for many years often find it difficult to work out exactly what a Thai means when he says something.

 

The other point I'd make is this. Since most of the Thai guys you meet here will have very limited English, you have to keep your sentences short and very much to the point. I have heard so many westerners speak as though they were in their native countries - long sentences with long words and several clauses at a fast speed - and they really expect the poor Thais to grasp exactly what has been said!

 

Simple and short phrases + simple and short sentences spoken slowly. It really means you have to think a bit before you actually speak. Unfortunately, when many westerners try this the first time, they end up sounding as though they are talking to babies! But with forethought and a realisation that you need to communicate somehow, you'll start to get the hang of it.

 

As for the interview, if indeed those on the panel speak and understand good English, you can talk more in your natural style. I would certainly avoid being seen to be in any way aggressive in your tone or the way you put forward your thoughts/arguments. Thais value modesty and a respect for elders and superiors. So a degree of deference can be very useful. And the odd smile and slight bow of the head when one of the Thais makes a good point should also earn you brownie points!

[Bob]

You won't have any problem with communication with respect to the job interview would be my guess - given you say the staff there all speak and write in very good English. As to advice on how to handle the interview, I don't have a clue (other than be sure to wear respectful clothing - a while shirt and dress pants would fit the bill) and be polite.

 

As to your ability to talk conversational English with boys from the commercial scene, sorry, it generally isn't going to happen. Most of them don't speak much English and many or most of them haven't finished high school (many from the north were out of school after junior high school). And, given the generally terrible education that the masses receive (they're simply not taught how to think), you might be surprised on how little they know (and, in some cases, are willing to talk about) even if they had the ability. I've always attempted to talk with the boys first but, back in those days, I rarely got too much past the "where are you from, how many brothers and sisters do you have, what's dad do for a living, etc.) level and I only got that far because I could ask those questions in Thai.