I decided to put the advice of Lyn and other regular readers to the test: stop giving money to Thai beggars!
The youngsters around my place who ask me for money may actually come from reasonable homes, but they have learnt the begging habit.
I know my willingness to give them money for food only encourages them, but who taught them to put their hand out in the first place - Mum and Dad?
I walked to the canalside pier close to my condo, as I do every day to watch the boats go by. My internet connection at home was down yet again, so I visited earlier than normal.
As I took a seat on the empty pier, a group of four or five youngsters aged under 10 waved and called out to me from across the other side of the canal.
Some were in the water, a few were perched on the base of the bridge which passes over the canal.
They started to swim over to my side.
Why? To ask for money, of course. They have asked me for money on two or three previous occasions. It wasn't much, and I gave them what they wanted. They thought I would happily give again, so over they came.
I was not in a giving mood. Several youngsters gave me a wai by way of greeting. I returned it.
One big guy took a space next to me on the benchseat which runs along the rickety pier. A skinny guy sat on my other side.
'Do you have money for food?' the fat one asked. He was probably the ringleader.
The others stood around and watched.
'Why is it that every time I come here, people ask me for money?' I complained.
Mr Big Guy looked sullenly ahead. It was like talking to a brick wall, as he refused to acknowledge my comments, other than to say 'krub', over and over.
He was waiting for me to get that complaint off my chest, so he could ask me for money once more.
'I didn't bring any money with me today,' I said.
'Krub.'
'Next time,' I said.
'Krub,' he said. Then, turning to his friends: 'He'll give us money next time.'
The skinny one on my left looked relieved. They now had an answer: next time. They could go back to playing.
Mr Big Guy and two or three others gave me another wai. Our business transaction over, they jumped back in the water and swam to the other side.
sorry, i'm goimg to be blunt and say that I didn't read what you blogged about, but i saw jiyong (g-dragon) and just couldn't resist to comment. =]
ReplyDeletewell done
ReplyDeletekrap?
ReplyDeleteIs this the same as khrap?
khaawp, phra, khoon, khrap, = thank-you
"the fat one asked. He was probably the ringleader."
ReplyDeleteHAHA, aren't the fat ones alway the ring leader? LOL.I love fat kids, they're the best. LOL, pudgy stomachs, haughty laughs, they're just too cute.
Dirtii,
I noticed g-dragon too. When I first saw the pic, I thought "hey isn't that ambiguous Korean pop idol from Big Bang. Hmmm...Cool!"
Krap means "Yes" or "ha huh" and then you nod.
yea, you do the right thing. give a money for beggar too often is not good for their attitude. In Jakarta, some urban people decide to be a beggar because they just too lazy to work. They often ask western people to give them money, in fact they are still looks strong and healthy. If you go jaksa road in central jakarta, you can see many people like that, beg for money from western people
ReplyDeleteI would say "NO", rather than "next time".
ReplyDeleteNeil:
ReplyDeletekhaawp, phra, khoon, khrap, = thank-you
Surely you are not suggesting I use that long-winded, formal phrase for a mere thank you?
However, to satisfy the spelling pedants, I have changed the text so it now reads 'khrap'. I can't remember what spelling I normally use for that word. I do not keep a style guide here as such, but I try to make these things consistent.
Lyn: Yes, it's funny how the fatties are always the ring-leaders. They are the biggest, so the other ones let them take charge,I suppose. There has to be some benefit in being fat. Maybe that's one of them.
Anon: I am working up to a flat 'No', rather than 'Next time'. It's hard to say no to kids.
english spelling for words in thai can be done in so many different ways..i think i spell it wrong every time haha i would probably spell it as 'kub'
ReplyDeleteanyways, good thing you're starting to say no..and nice of those kids for politely accepting it...im sure they will ask you again next time..be prepared to say no again...
i love fat kids too...they're the cutest...just like dogs...i love fat dogs...fat kids..but not fat men...they turn me off...
I don't like fat men either, and worry I will turn into one. When I was young I would look at middle-aged guys with huge bulging guts, and think, 'How could you do that to yourself?' Now that I am getting to the age myself when many men have fat guts and bald heads, I realise it's not that hard.
ReplyDeleteI don't speak thai or understand their meaning. For a fat kid to keep say krap krap krap... to me, that sounds like a kid with a poor pronunciation of the Queens English. I interpreted his word choice as a negative cuss word for not receiving his tuppences.
ReplyDeleteSocial engagments take on a whole different meaning:
"What a Krap meal. I don't know when I been in a room so full of Krap. There is no Krap like the Krap you all have given to me tonight. Best wishes and be sure to spread some Krap around your home. Krap taste good when it's served with a smile."
Nice new boy on the banner BK!!
Krap a lot :)
"
ReplyDeletei love fat kids too...they're the cutest...just like dogs...i love fat dogs...fat kids..but not fat men...they turn me off..."
Oh I laughed so hard! I'm the same way.
M, are you happy, your comment section is becoming so lively. It's very entertaining.
I am thank you, dearest Lyn. I have wanted more comments on this blog for ages. One day, fellow blogger Silom farang suggested I just ask for them, which I did - and in they came!
ReplyDeleteI am posting more pics of G-dragon from the Korean rapper group Big Bang today, so I hope readers come back for a look.
maybe they think all farangs are rich....... as they call them "walking atm"...
ReplyDelete