Strange signals: Thais, raise little finger; farang, scowl

I passed a foreigner moving out of our condo.

He had deposited his household possessions on the ground floor, and with the help of his girlfriend was moving them out piece by piece to a truck in the courtyard.

I know how awkward it feels to have your life on display as you are moving from one place to another.

I felt like I was invading their privacy. I could hardly stare at their stuff, still less (perish the thought), pick over it, like a shopper at a weekend market.

‘Oh, that’s a nice hanging basket – where did you get that then, luv?’

They had bought similar stuff to us, I noted approvingly.

Outside, the cleaner’s child was playing. He could have been a girl, but was probably a boy.

‘Mum – who’s this?’ he asked, as he saw me approach.

‘A farang,’ I answered for him. ‘I live here.’

He said nothing, but raised one pinky finger in the air.

I looked at him. What was this, code?

‘What does that mean?’ I asked.

‘It means, Okay,’ he said.

Do kids not talk any more, but use hand signals?

As I approached the lift, I came face to face with the foreigner tenant. He gave me a hostile look, as if I was intruding on his space.

I get used to that look from foreigners here. It is like they have discovered paradise, and don’t want anyone else to share it.

The Look says: 'Listen mate, I’m an old hand here. Buzz off!’

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I visited the pool twice today without seeing anyone, as usual. It’s quiet up there, even when the sun is out.

Thais don’t like the sun, so stay away until late afternoon. But where are the foreigners?

It's a Saturday morning, so perhaps they are busy taking in Bangkok.

I have been here too long (longer even than the owner of that childish hostile stare, I dare say), so am all fascinated out.