Being gay in rural Thailand

[StevieWonders]

Yep, Querulous Old Queens Weekend.

[Brad the Impala]

A lot of extrapolations going on in this thread. It seems some people have accepted the wrong invitations. As in life you have to chose who you go home with!

My own first visit to my boyfriends home, when he became a monk, was wonderful, and I've had numerous follow up visits that have been enjoyable. Of course like some others I have had the sense, for me, to stay in nearby hotels. I am reluctant to stay in other peoples homes wherever I am.

[StevieWonders]

A lot of extrapolations going on in this thread. It seems some people have accepted the wrong invitations. As in life you have to chose who you go home with!

One of the lessons few people learn is that it’s perceptions that lead to arguments, rarely facts. Facts are less often in dispute. The fact that as Westerners “our hand is often in our pocket” to meet the demands of a boy or his family is not in dispute. The perception that we’re just a walking ATM as far as the Thais are concerned is only one perception of that fact. There are other perceptions of the same fact. The saying “history is written by the winners” equally demonstrates that while the historical facts may not be in dispute it’s how they are perceived that matters more.

[mr giggles]

Yep, Querulous Old Queens Weekend.

Quarreling quibbling Queens.

[arsenal]

Cue steviewonders
Cue mrgiggles
Cue sglad.

[StevieWonders]

Cue steviewonders
Cue mrgiggles
Cue sglad.

You are fond of the sound of your own name, aren’t you Q (rhetorical question).

[cdnmatt]

I think people are forgetting the biggest perks of rurual village life in Thailand. No off fees!

heh, I'm just kidding about that of course, but I'm sure some folks out there will think it sounds enticing.

[mr giggles]

Cue steviewonders
Cue mrgiggles
Cue sglad.

Cue Predictable

[Dodger]

Of course like some others I have had the sense, for me, to stay in nearby hotels. I am reluctant to stay in other peoples homes wherever I am.

Some prefer to experience village life to the fullest, and sleep with the natives so -to-speak. Others, would find this very difficult, if not impossible to endure. Different strokes for different folks.

Just to show you how different two people can be: I, for one, would never make the journey to a Thai friend's village if I wasn't able to reside in the same dwelling, eat the same food, wake to the sounds of the jungle around me, bathe in the same water, and help with some of the common chores. This to me is what the "Experience" is all about. We can learn much more about them through these experiences... and may even learn a bit more about ourselves in the process.

Cultural Determinism?

I have many British friends who I really like, but they all seem to have this thing about always needing to be pampered. As far as enduring the riggers of Thai village life goes, even for a few days, this is too much for them. There's no pampering in a Thai village. You're all on the same level ground, where the "Class" you see yourself in, is no different than the "Class" of the tree you're standing next to. Best to stay in a hotel.

[arsenal]

Cultural difference Dodger. We just don't feel that comfortable as house guests. We see you Americans walk into each other's houses and help yourself from the fridge. No British person would ever do that.

We do it to entire countries I'll grant you but not individuals. So when we kicked the old king of Burma out of his own country we would have waited until he offered us a drink.