Share Experiences when speaking their Local Language

[delifrance]

Hi ALL

This topic actually started a bit from the thread "Pre-paid Top Card in Thailand or Bkk" or something like that. I dont wish to divert the discussion by posting a continue of this "Shared Experiences when speaking in their local language"

The topic for sharing and discussing is: Speak their local language, they either think negatively of you as you being an old bird and playboy OR they are more open to communicating with you.

SiamCutey and Free have contributed a bit about their views and experiences. I've noticed that the type of ladies (WL and non-WL) do play a part in determing their reactions to a foreigner (man) speaking their local language.

Any experiences to share and comment?

Thanks.

[Snuber]

Dun need to be so fluent in the language. As long as you can speak & understand the basic stuff, it's enough to cause them to ask you certain stuff like

- You frequent Thailand?
- You have thai gf?
- Oh you go find friend ah? Must be girl right?
- Where do you go & "play"?
- etc

Hmm....... is there a prefix impression of us already?

The good thing about pretending not to know their language is, if they do talk bad behind your back with their friends, at least you can protect yourself!

[Ah joe]

I think in any foreign country, it is better for one to know and speak their language so as to move around freely. Like what Snuber said, you don't have to speak fluently, just the basics.

Many years ago when I was in Thailand, I travel around freely and everyone thought I'm a Thai. Most of the tourist attractions and national parks are FREE for the locals and I'm one of them. It also depends on situation when to speak Thai and at times I'm on upper hand speaking English. I was once being blocked by police from entering into a town but I got through because I'm a tourist. Met couple of Thai girls who were so eager to come into my hotel room when I was staying in Ayuttaya just because I know how to speak their language and it's still happening to me this days in BBK. Met a Jap girl the same stay when I was in Ayuttaya and she spoke to me thought I'm a Thai but later realised I'm a Chinese and she started to get curious about me.......
Same thing happen in Indonesia, I wouldn't have travel Java alone and know couple of girls if I couldn't speak their language.
I'm a believer in doing what the Romans do and a eager one to learn their lauguage in order to know their custom. By doing that, they see me as someone whom they can trust because I'm learning to be one of them.

[Bangkok Master]

Actually able to speak their langauge have a lot of advantages compare to the disadvantges, I had been staying in Bangkok for a while and I had improved my thai due to my work discussion and business presentations so in a way I had found out many things that I would not have known if I can't communicate in thai. I would say for daily usage, it's essential but for leisure, it's otherwise. IMO able to speak thai would have more chances to sian girls rather than unable to speak thai cos even it would mislead them that you're playboy or attached, it doesn't matters as nowdays the modern thais are even more modern than Singaporeans. Like for instance I spoke to various SYT, they would prefer that their foreign counterparts able to speak thai cos it will lessen the communication barrier part cos to thai ladies communication is very important cos most of their precious time are spent gossiping...keke

If you really want to set your foot into the thai playground, speaking thai would give you more chances reach your objectives nevermind the bad impression cos the younger thai girls luv bad characters men cos they mention that bad men provide them with more entertainment and excitement in life but not for mature thai ladies. Like 1 saying, Nan Ren Bu Huai, Nui Ren Bu Ai..............

[free]

Agree agree agree. can't agree more. There are definitely more pros than cons to be able to speak the local language. In addition to Thailand, I really feel comfortable in Malaysia and/or Indonesia cos I speak a reasonable level of Bahasa. Only problem nowadays sometimes also got some Thai words thrown in (subconsciously)

So used to speaking in Thai that as a result, when I found a Thai temple in Changi a few days ago, and went to pray, I realised after a few minutes that I was praying in Thai! Now the mind switches from thinking in Thai to English and back w/o any barriers. Quite nice actually, I must say.

Also remembered how I could move around just as easily in HK and sometime back, even Japan.

[Gentle Beast]

As a visitor, if you are one of those with an 'Asian look', you can be mistaken for a local in Manila. Disadvatange even if you speak splattering tagalog - the WL will mistaken you for a policeman and reject your bar fine! Everytime I have been asked 'Are you Filipino' whenever in Manila, I would have been a million peso guy'

[siamcutey]

The time when I seriously wanted to learn thai fast and good is not because of girls.

I wanted to order Fried Rice with minced meat and because of my tones, the order came Fried Basil Leaves Minced Meat with rice. And another time was the reverse. Khao Phat Moo Sup and Kra Phao Moo Sup

From then on, I realised to really survive well in the pak sois of thailand, better learn to speak thai from the thais.

However as time goes by, the learning aided in sianing girls.

hahaha
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[siamcutey]

Originally Posted by Bangkok Master

Actually able to speak their langauge have a lot of advantages compare to the disadvantges

Yeah correct. Know and don't speak is better than don't know how to speak.

hahaha
SC

[free]

Originally Posted by thaivisitor

In business or leisure, whether they are more open to communicating with you also does not depend on whether you can speak their language but rather whether they are interested in comunicating with you, trust level, etc.

Well said! I have learnt that if they dun like your and/or dun trust you (usually they observe you first) they will not bother to communicate. Ability to speak their language only comes in handy only if they are willing to communicate. Communication is after all a 2-way thing.

[Ah joe]

Originally Posted by siamcutey

I wanted to order Fried Rice with minced meat and because of my tones, the order came Fried Basil Leaves Minced Meat with rice.
SC

That is my favourite food, with sai kai dou (fried egg) whenever I'm there in BKK.

[siamcutey]

Originally Posted by Ah joe

That is my favourite food, with sai kai dou (fried egg) whenever I'm there in BKK.

Kai Jiao Aroy Mak Kwa.

hahaha
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[GiddlyGook]

I'll take the contrarian view: speaking Thai is nice but strictly not essential. Not in business and not in social situations. Only essential if you're dating a WL.

I've been coming to Thailand every other month for quite some time now and although I'm ashamed to say I speak very poor Thai, I get around with 0 problems. At least I'm much better than some of my colleagues who speak absolutely zero Thai. And they have a wonderful and successful time. It's the same with any other non-native-English speaking city (and I've been to quite a few too on a regular basis): you will get by with English and when that doesn't work, miming will do. Everybody understands I am a foreigner and everybody is accomodating if you are polite.

Lastly, lots of people in BKK speak excellent English.

[siamcutey]

Originally Posted by GiddlyGook

I'll take the contrarian view: speaking Thai is nice but strictly not essential. Not in business and not in social situations. Only essential if you're dating a WL.

Ooi, thats an insult or compliment? kekeke

Anyway, you will get around easily though it will be even easier if you speak thai. Why you still not improving your thai?

hahaha
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[delifrance]

looking at the whole population, the majority of thais dont speak excellent english at all.

it really depends on who a person is mixing around....WLs (especially those who engage in "foreign trade" ) and those working in places where they have to learn and speak and use English...hehehehe....

go to some ulu place and u need to mime, draw pictures, point fingers etc or speak thai! hahahahahaha

just my experiences.

[ruhua]

Originally Posted by siamcutey

Ooi, thats an insult or compliment? kekeke

Anyway, you will get around easily though it will be even easier if you speak thai. Why you still not improving your thai?

hahaha
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He never improve his Thai because he don't date WL.

hahaha
ruhua