Job Discussion Forums

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

Well said sarg.
In Hanoi-lighten up- smell the roses.
Maybe you are suggesting I am involved in a less than happy marriage with a local- Far from the truth. I am very HAPPILY involved-with child-the whole Monty.
I am very close with the locals-indeed I have stayed in tribal long houses, lived with Hmong in the north-west, as well as lived the city life. I play both types of guitar- country AND western, Can play several traditional instruments, speak Tieng Viet. Namky AND Backy. And I can cook most Viet dishes so you wouldnt know it was cooked by a "tay".
Therefore my depth of understanding of the locals is stronger than most of the ex-pats here. Doesnt change the fact they pick their noses, go to Dalat for holidays, drive like maniacs etc- BUT for depth of family connectedness and GENUINE real concern for their fellow man- well lets just say I'm more comfortable with locals than I am with plastic ex-pats trying their best to defend the poor locals.

The Mad Hatter · Joined: 16 May 2010 Posts: 165

inhanoi · Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Posts: 165

In other words, snolly, the thing that never ceases to amaze you about Vietnam is..... You!

That's not intended as a personal slam, just another confirmation of my point, that some ex-pats think the world of themselves, often as a result of being fawned over by too-polite or curious Vietnamese, and this ego-enlargement then leads to condescension and feelings of superiority. I think it's quite hilarious to watch.

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

Of course I agree with you In Hanoi. Vietnam brings about changes in individuals. I also watch the condascending "tay" who is usually unable to laugh at him/herself developing a plastic sense of superiority, but I try not to do likewise, whilst still enjoyinmg the funny things that Viets do that seem out of place to the "tay".
DefInately-Mad Man. Rolling Eyes

WEIRD-Yes?

travelinhobo · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 35 Location: U.S.

I find the answers to these posts rather... disheartening. So much negativity from individuals who have a choice (which is 100% of the population) about a country they originally chose to come to! I'm quite grateful, after reading these responses (as well as those of other posts) that I had a wonderful 3 months in Viet Nam BEFORE reading these responses! My experiences (working and living) certainly don't add up to what I'm reading here. I think for the visiting reader who wants to get info about Viet Nam and make some life decisions (for whatever reason that may be), this forum only disenchants them. This is supposed to be a forum about ESL living and instead there are always countless negative comments about the locals which have nothing to do with their ESL learning. If people want to know about other aspects, they can always go to the expat forums.

And just to add, the Mexicans pick their noses too. But ALL of you males love doing the male-mating call which does NOT endear any of us females to you.

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2012 6:48 am Post subject: Re: My 2 cents worth

I was in a 100% agreement with you travelinhobo until I read this:

inhanoi · Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Posts: 165

I have to agree, the forum isn't just strictly about teaching, it's about immersion, survival, the whole milieu.

However, hobo makes a really valid point: there is a significant minority of regulars here who take every opportunity to denigrate the country and the people, then take exception when someone replies in a more positive vein, or dares to question the validity of their sweeping generalizations. They always assume they've been here longer or have more in-depth knowledge, the wisdom of which cannot be questioned. It gets tiresome.

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

However, as Hatcher requested, keep it on the lighter side.....

I SWEAR I STILL CANNOT EVER get used to the entire concept of a person riding around the neighbourhood on a bicycle, coming up to your house and presenting you with the (electric/water/Internet/whatever) bill, then collecting the cash from you, then stamping a receipt and handing it to you!

NOT AT ALL a bad way of doing things.....

....just....so....so....so....DIFFERENT!

(I really think that if I return to a T�y nation, I'll probably look at a bill that has actually been mailed to me as though it were something that had been dropped from a flying saucer)!

inhanoi · Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Posts: 165

Yes, that's more in the spirit of the original post. And so true, it drives me batty trying to get the internet bill paid before they cut it off.

8balldeluxe · Joined: 03 Jun 2009 Posts: 64 Location: vietnam

People riding bicycles sitting far back over the rear wheel on the book rack, for no apparent reason, against all laws of physics and human ergonomics.

voltaire · Posted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 1:46 am Post subject:

kurtz · Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 518 Location: Phaic Tan

mark_in_saigon · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 837

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

The nose picking is something I wont ever quite get used to. I cringe every time I see it. But I do admit, it comes in quite handy sometimes. Just driving down the street with my finger in my nose is quite freeing at times. Laughing

The traffic is also something I doubt I'll get used to. Every time I go out I see something new that makes me shake my head. Basically, you have to always be watching for someone to do something you wouldn't think any sane person would do.

I've also gotten tired of how judgmental the typical Vietnamese person can be towards other Vietnamese. They seem to excuse any faults in a "tay" because he doesn't know any better. But if they see a Vietnamese girl with a tay, she often gets rude comments. If you dress a certain way, you're inappropriate. You can't say or do certain things or you're not "traditional" enough. I feel bad for the flak some of my Vietnamese friends get just for hanging out with me.