Job Discussion Forums

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

One thing I can never get used to is the "invisible "caste" system in Vietnam.
I am married to a Viet, younger than me, and we have a mixed race child. Now that DOES bring a few stares.

However, the thing that disturbs me is that my wife is not high born, and Viets -even those in management-tell me my promotion prospects would be better if I was to divorce my wife and marry one from a "more acceptable" family.
Of course I stick by my choices in this matter, and my wife, whilst acknowledging this prejudice exists, takes little notice.

Coming from a place where such divisions do not exist, I find this hard to swallow, but it explains why I am the cleaner, not the director.

mark_in_saigon · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 837

deadlift · Joined: 08 Jun 2010 Posts: 267

I'm pretty easygoing and can wave off a lot of annoyances with "it's cultural", rightly or wrongly.

But I can never get used to certain acts of sheer idiocy on the roads. In particular, coming up to an intersection, staying next to the right hand curb, then trying to turn left once you've already traveled into the intersection. Usually without any indicating and barely a look behind. Doing so puts your life at risk and snarls up traffic for a hundred other people.

Porlestone · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 95 Location: Asia

DNK · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 236 Location: the South

I'm not sure how much of this is true in the South - I take it a lot of the complaints over society (tradition, caste system, etc) are more true in the North than South. Certainly, they exist still, but I'm not sure to what extent here. Ignorant Westerner, I guess... though it's confused my gf as well, as she would be aware of caste issues or whatever.

That said, she has gotten a lot of flak in public for being with me, though it's a bit subdued, especially as she tends to dress quite appropriately. That said, I made the mistake of taking here to Dam Sen water park once... I won't be repeating that again.

I'm With Stupid · Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 432

I'm With Stupid · Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 432

I could write an essay just on things to do with traffic, but just off the top of my head:

- children without helmets.
- sitting on the right hand side of the road waiting for the traffic lights to change, and only then cutting across everyone to turn left.
- going through a red light when there's 5 seconds to go.
- the beeping. OH GOD the BEEPING!
- how even if people can't fix something, they won't bother to tell you and will have a good go anyway.
- the obsession with Singapore.
- how you can get anything delivered.
- those funerals/memorial services with the brass band.
- those occasional massive slanging matches between street vendors.
- the sheer number of staff everywhere.

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

I can never get used to sitting down for some food and a person sticking a pile of lottery tickets in my face while I am trying to eat. Or beggars who beg to someone when they are eating for that matter. People who think it is Ok to harass someone who is eating have not learned basic rules of animal world respect and politeness.

DNK · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 236 Location: the South

Yeah, but there's a very easy way around that tout-eating problem...

inhanoi · Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Posts: 165

Yes, the very easy way around it is to ignore it. Put yourself in the place of the person who's begging, or selling junk like lottery tickets. Have some sympathy.

"I'm trying to eat." Give me a break.

If it bothers you so much, spend an extra dollar and eat in places with doors.

Porlestone · Joined: 24 Aug 2005 Posts: 95 Location: Asia

8ball, peace of mind while you eat? How dare you. The Vietnamese are so unbelievably friendly and incredibly nice, and are simply approaching for nothing more than greeting you. Their only aim is to spread incredulous joy, extending their truly wonderful spirit. In the meantime, they're also just asking, with a slight hand, if you might not want to reciprocate the joyous karma -- only skip the words, money will be fine. The Vietnamese are unimaginably lovely in all they do, and it's us foreigners that are wrong. If we should dare say (gasp) that a local is in the wrong, then it's our fault for having been there.

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2012 3:31 am Post subject:

DNK · Joined: 22 Jan 2007 Posts: 236 Location: the South

There are certainly some places that get away with keeping touts out, even without doors. Seems like anywhere with actual doors prevents them from wandering in, which makes me wonder what's keeping certain well-traveled "teacher beloved" establishments from putting some doors up or doing whatever it is those other places do...

Is it that the businesses can't contend with the protection money or that the businesses are getting a decent slice of the action also?

I'm sure there are other options for employment for them, even if they don't pay as well.

Anyway, it just makes my life easier to only go to the places without touts and avoid the ones with them most of the time. Usually the choice is as difficult as walking a few meters over to the next place.

Oh, and a pox on anyone who ever hands them so much as 1 dong. If you're into charity, well, find a real one.