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the people who seem least friendly to westerners

 
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mark_in_saigon



Joined: 20 Sep 2009
Posts: 837

PostPosted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 12:28 pm    Post subject: the people who seem least friendly to westerners Reply with quote

here, are actually................other westerners. Crazy, huh? I think they have some magical way of knowing I am American just by looking, and it seems most of the Europeans (minus the Brits) feel that way about us. It seems that western women traveling alone or with other western women want to pretend we do not exist. I think the American women are part of that deal too, maybe more so. I do not make an effort to hang out with my fellow westerners, and prefer to live as isolated from them as I can, but not so much because I don't like them. I especially do not like the way we are hustled in the tourist areas, that is my big beef. Anyway, when I see a westerner, I always try to make eye contact and smile, and be available to chat a moment if the other guy wants to. But generally, it seems we are not a very friendly bunch, at least to each other. Do the rest of you sense this also?
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jayasia



Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Isaan

PostPosted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 2:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

dont talk to me....
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londo



Joined: 27 Apr 2010
Posts: 107
Location: District 7

PostPosted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 2:40 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

No , not westerners, this is part of the problem, we automatically think a white man or woman is anglo-saxon. In fact most latin peoples stick together like glue..an Italian, Spaniard, Frenchie will smell another out in seconds. The anglo-saxons tend to be very insular and shie away from seeking each other out...it's bad form somehow, not being 'native' enough.

I also think the MOD EDIT have a huge PR/perception problem..sorry guys, I know you're great but most in the West who don't personally know Americans don't like them much...and the rest of the world will happily burn the Stars and Stripes while wanting to be one. A real paradox, but until the world sees a better USA, it's not going to change.

I find lots of friends in supermarkets by speaking French, italian and Spanish, but Anglos run for the hills if I say 'Hi'
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shanewarne



Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 146

PostPosted: Sat Jul 31, 2010 3:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

i like americans but i couldnt eat a whole one.
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Insubordination



Joined: 07 Nov 2007
Posts: 394
Location: Sydney

PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 12:29 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

At the risk of stereotyping, most Americans are naturally friendly and most Europeans are a bit more aloof initially. Euros may even be suspicious of people who are too friendly right off the bat. However, I think most people want to make friends. Lone travellers are easier to talk to than ones in pairs but again, they may be suspicious of motives.

I arrived in a town with Brits as the only foreigners (I'm an Australian and an overbearingly friendly one). I had to make the first few overtures and suggestions but after a week or two, we were all firm friends for the rest of the year.

There are always a few that won't mix but that's OK too.

I've got to admit, it's usually pretty easy to spot an American a mile off. It's like a gaydar. Most people don't dislike Americans. Only prejudiced MOD EDIT have something against individuals just because of where they were born and who wants to know someone like that anyway?
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jayasia



Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Isaan

PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 2:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

give me strength...an Aussie..

Mark!...wanna talk?
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jayasia



Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Isaan

PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 12:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

personally speaking, i'm not prejudiced....i just hate you all equally the same, ho-hum...
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mark_in_saigon



Joined: 20 Sep 2009
Posts: 837

PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 4:32 pm    Post subject: hello Jayasia Reply with quote

uhhhhhhh, yeah, I think that is the whole point of recognizing each other. We all have some good info on what works and does not, and we all need some kind of help as well. Sharing notes from our experiences benefits us all. It does not bother me that some folks do not want to talk, I am just perplexed how often I see westerners do their best to pretend they do not even see me. The VN certainly see me, and are quite friendly about it. I see about 2 westerners a day on average, I am in 3, and I certainly can spot a westerner when I see one. I try to be especially friendly with anyone who I can identify as a foreigner, despite the fact I like being away from tourist areas, I do think we should try to recognize each other and be there for each other when we need advice or something. Pretty easy to overpay on things here, and it helps to know how to navigate some of the commercial aspects of things.

I was reading a very cute story on the kinds of foreigners there are in Thailand, some guy had a list of about 8 types he recognized, and some of the comments were about how members of various groups saw each other. Very funny. I kinda get the feeling that we have some of that here, preconceptions about what you are doing here, especially if you are a single man not dressed in business attire, you must be up to no good. Here is a brief snippet about what this great story said about backpackers:

Backpackers have nothing but contempt for most other types of tourists and foreign visitors in LOS [Thailand]. The most hated being sex tourists and Sexpats of course. But really all sorts of foreigners who don�t get in touch with the real Thailand or see the real local people, and learn to really understand them and their everyday lives, are looked down upon. Apparently the best way to really get to know the real Thailand is to drink a lot of cheap booze, smoke some dope and dance to techno music under the full moon on the beach on Koh Phangnan, without a Thai in sight. If you come across backpackers just ignore them (Provided you yourself are not a backpacker of course). They will ignore you, unless you are accompanied with a local girl in which case they will sneer and make faces at you and possibly voice their disapproval. One can counter this with an ear-to-ear wolf grin back at them, that can be fun, but it�s generally best to just keep on ignoring them.

Fact: Backpackers mentally picture themselves as the lead characters in the film �The Beach� but don�t openly admit it.
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Mr. Kalgukshi
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Joined: 18 Jan 2003
Posts: 6613
Location: Need to know basis only.

PostPosted: Sun Aug 01, 2010 8:28 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

This thread is being monitored by the Mod Team.

Postings have been deleted or edited for being inappropriate. Some members have received final warnings.

Future postings containing profanity or insults will result in immediate bans to include ISPs.

Members are requested to bring inappropriate postings and conduct to the attention of the Mod Team by Report Post or PM as soon as they appear.


http://forums.eslcafe.com/job/viewtopic.php?t=77552
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jayasia



Joined: 06 Apr 2009
Posts: 65
Location: Isaan

PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 1:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Mark, welcome back!

All is forgiven.

In case u havn't come across this site before....

Typical Teacher Types
http://englishteacherx.blogspot.com/search/label/cartoons
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mark_in_saigon



Joined: 20 Sep 2009
Posts: 837

PostPosted: Mon Aug 02, 2010 4:23 am    Post subject: uhhhhhhh, I was never gone, but thanks for the welcome Reply with quote

Hello Jay, thanks for the welcome, but I think you are thinking of another Mark, perhaps. I have never been gone, and I have somehow been able to not create threads or posting that are confrontational, insulting, or abusive. Of course, the issues we face are often right on the edge of creating these kinds of reactions, like this one I am speaking of here. Yet I am not trying to create animosity, actually, it is my intention to reach out to all the expats and ask us to cooperate among ourselves. We do not have to all be in love with each others agendas or processes or whatever, but we have some very valuable information that we should all share. The recent visa brouhaha was a great example. Sharing information benefits all of us.

I get the feeling that there is more tourism in HN, but here in HCMC, I think most of these folks are here for other reasons. This does not seem like a great tourist site to me, much as I love it. When I see a westerner outside of 1, I assume he/she is longer term, and so it could be to both of our benefits to compare notes. I hope that if we see each other, we at least recognize each others existence, and if we have time, chat a bit about what we find to be important about survival in our respective locations.
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