farang who don't speak Thai - how do you feel?

Question

when you are out somewhere and you hear people using the word farang farang and you know they are talking about you..??

Answer 1

I speak Thai, well I understand it better than I speak it, but it still bugs me sometimes when I'm referred to as farang. From what I understand most Thai don't use it as a derogatory term, and there are slang words that are derogatory for white, blacks, and other skintones. My wife claims it is simply an easy way to differentiate someone from a crowd, instead of "that guy over there" which would usually get a response of "which guy?" they say "that foreigner over there".

After years and years of hearing it, it still doesn't sit well with me, not sure what to tell you brother.

Answer 2

I learned a little bit of Thai while I was there, and I mean very little. But I thought it was funny to be called farang, and then say something in Thai and see their reactions. I love Thai people and if you are polite and smile they are nothing but helpful and friendly. To me being called a 'farang' was much nicer than most things said about tourists in America.

Answer 3

I'd feel like a farang... but who cares what anyone say. Even if they are talking about you. Ignore with a smile.

Answer 4

Well, It's much easier to be "farang-looking" and not speak a word Thai than being mistaken to be a local when you are not and expected to understand what they are saying. :)

Answer 5

don't you know that thai actuary like farang? (as a fruit)
when they refer you as farang, that simply some thing like "Mr. foreigner".

if they don't like you, they will not call you farang! they have another word for white foreigner which is tar-num-kau.

so don't be so fussy when they call you farang. they are talking to you in a positive way.
if they call tar-num-kau, then you can throw some punch at the guy.

Answer 6

This is what farang look like...It's a tropical fruit. I love it!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Psidium_guajava_fruit.jpg

Maybe they were talking about fruit. Why you think they are talking about you? :/ That why you have to learn Thai when you live in Thailand. That will help you a lot!

Answer 7

Each country has its own slang to describe the foreigners - for e.g. in Singapore, we call the white-skinned people "ang mohs" and this is not derogatory in any way. It's just a word to differentiate the foreigners and the locals.

Answer 8

It is ok. It is just a term for foreigner. And the Thais do not have any bad connotation to that term.

They can be calling you a fruit too!

Answer 9

So what? Aren't we also talking about tourists in our countries... On top the comment doesn't have to be always bad.

Answer 10

it doesn't bother me at all. i just turn and smile at them.