From: matmcinn@nuscc.nus.sg (brett mcinnes)
Subject: Re: WANTED: Temporary Thai Wife
Organization: National University of Singapore
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1993 04:54:15 GMT

tstil@Auspex.COM (Tim Stilwell) writes in soc.culture.thai:
: 
:  Sawasdee Khrup Tuk Kon
: 
:  My wife is still in Thailand and I miss her already.  She was unable to return
:  with me because of some small matter regarding immigration laws.  Anyway, I
:  appreciate all of the wonderful things she has done for me and I was wondering
:  if someone would be willing to substitute for her until she is able to come.
                                                    ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^: 
 WARNING: This is *not* a deliberate jest,believe it or not.             
                                                                         
 :  I
remember my friend Bill married a Korean woman.  When she went to visit
:  her sister for 2 weeks, she had two friends visit everyday to care for Bill.
:  One woman cleaned the house and washed his clothes daily.  The other woman
:  cooked all 3 meals.  Believe it or not!  I just happened to stop by on a
:  Saturday to see if Bill wanted to play catch with a baseball and noticed
:  the change of scenery and got his explanation as well as a free lunch.  :-)
: 
:  Anyway, I am joking about the temporary wife.  Really!  :-)
:  I just wanted to point out the difference in treatment and ask if anybody
:  knows if I can continue to expect this high level of service or should I
:  wake up now?  (the honeymoon is over)
: 
:  Picture this:
: 
:  A boy has not had a mother since age 6.  He has been cooking for himself
:  and caring for himself since age 19.  He is now age 28.  He is American
:  (independent)
: 
:  He goes to visit his fiancee.  After discussing the dowry, her mother
:  allows him to stay at the family home.  The fiancee unpacks all of his
:  clothes and hides them in various closets.  All future dirty clothes
:  also mysterious vanish (to be cleaned, ironed and presented later).
: 
:  Suppose he showers and wants to change into clean clothes?  Can he find
:  his clothes and select some to wear?  Would you search through someone
:  else's closets looking for your clothes?  Rude by American standards,
:  so instead he waits and requests clean clothes.  The fiancee selects
:  specific clothes and recommends them.  She even says, "Wait, this needs
:  to be ironed first."  He doesn't even have to help wash them.  :-)
:  Could he obtain better treatment from a 5 star hotel?  Probably not.
:  Would he be just as uncomfortable?  Yes.  Why?  Because Americans are
:  used to doing things by themselves and for themselves.  This boy just
:  sacrificed the freedom to chose his own clothes and to know where
:  they are (in case he wants to look at them) and to clean them (maybe
:  she won't do as good a job).  Definitely different!  American girls
:  would say, "You may put your clothes over there.  Here is the iron if
:  you need to use it.  You can wash your clothes in that room there or
:  you can visit the Dry Cleaner's down the street.  They charge $0.75/shirt."
: 
:  Suppose he is hungry.  Would you search through someone else's kitchen
:  or refrigerator and select some food to eat?  Rude by American standards,
:  even if she told you it was ok.  Still rude.  The fiancee or her mother
:  purchases all food and prepares all meals.  She and her sisters regularly
:  check up on him during the meal and continue to fill his plate and glass, 
:  "Pi Tim, would you like more of this?"  Uncomfortable yes.  Is life
:  difficult when 2 or more women are constantly staring at his face to see
:  if he is content or needs anything?  Yes.  Why?  Because Americans are
:  not used to all this attention.  This boy just sacrificed the freedom
:  to choose the foods he wants and to eat only as much as he wants.  "Pi
:  Tim, finish your plate."  It is hard to think when you are constantly
:  under observation.  Definitely different!  American girls would
:  say, "Help yourself." or "The store is in that direction." or "Hurry up!
:  and clear the table when you finish."
: 
:  Suppose he wants a snack or is thirsty.  So he says, "Honey, I am
:  thirsty."  She is busy talking with friends or cleaning or working.  Does
:  she say, "There's fresh cold water (or soda) in the refrigerator."?  No.
:  Does she say, "Sorry, we don't have anything.  You will have to go to the
:  store."?  No.  She tells him to sit down and relax, then drops everything  
:  and goes to get it and pour it into a glass in front of him.  If she is
:  real busy, she commands another sister or the youngest brother to go and
:  perform the task.  Uncomfortable.  Yes.  Why?  Am I a king with servants?
:  No.  Americans believe in democracy.  Democracy is more than just free
:  elections.  It is EQUALITY!  Thailand will never ever have democracy
:  because Thais do NOT believe in equality.  You cannot have equality if
:  you have servants or a caste system.  If you do, then it is NOT democracy.
:  It is British living.  (just teasing Khun Laurence :-)  Thais concerned
:  about democracy should really study in Great Britain not in America.
: 
:  Anyway, are they treating me extra nice or as we say in America, am I
:  getting away with murder?  Or is this "normal" Thai behavior?
: 
:  Your comments are appreciated.
: ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This guy goes into the alt.stupidity hall of fame. I have seen other
contenders, but this guy is like a Sumo yokozuna. Virtually unique. And
you people thought *you* were stupid.
Newsgroups: alt.stupidity