How do you deal with comparisons

[arjay]

Just having got back and re-visited this thread, my immediate thoughts are:

Texpat I'm sure you can contribute something more constructive than sarcasm and mocking!

Yes, they do seem to act like children. Should we treat them like children?

I strongly agree money can't buy class, but it would seem that many of those from the poor village background think it does.

It doesn't seem to help to discuss, debate, explain, rationalise, persuade or make comparisons, - they have their built in prejudices, which are almost impossible to shake. They are particularly evident when one's partner is going back to the visit the village, - they are under great pressure to show evidence of their wealth!!

I've even used comparisons like, well are you saying that you would rather have gold, than food in your stomach, a roof over your head and your child going to a good school. And the reply, albeit given against a background of frustration from my line of argument, was yes.

I am not convinced that it helps to debate the point with them. My partner's answer is I talk too much.

I can identify with Stan's comments/experiences quite well. Despite having pointed out and explained things, it has little affect.

Yes, as Glyn and OT point out my OP was seeking advice as to how to deal with the comparisons that they often seek to make.

[Zidane]

Do you not find that the Thais who are incredibly wealthy are pretty low key about it ?
Its the ones who are middle of the road who aspire to great wealth who are the ones that try to flaunt it.....new car,buying gold every month,never ending building improvements etc.
These are the people who will never be a class act no matter what they try to do.....all "fur coat and no knickers".....some of the wives and girlfriends quite literally !!

[trubrit]

.....all "fur coat and no knickers"....)

God I haven't heard that saying for more than 50 years. It was one of my old mothers favourites. The funny thing is , I used to believe it and every time I saw someone in a fur coat I assumed she had no knickers on .

[old-timer]

Three trainers, how does that work. 2 left 1right, 1 left 2 right. unless you buy another three which will give you 3 pairs, i think !

I stand corrected - I've given myself a punch in the gob for not making things clear.

Yeah, I know what you're sayin', OT.

Why, just yesterday I went out for an enchanting dining al fresco extravaganza with my wife and some friends.

They all bought the standard 25 baht noodle bowl. But I enjoy the high life, you see. I've worked hard for it. I'm a bit of an international jet-setter myself. I don't have Caspian beluga sturgeon caviar every day (maybe twice a week), but I still enjoy my fine dining. Keeping with that theme, I cut loose and threw down on the goi tiew pisade -- 30 baht. I know what you're saying... I'm an arrogant, self-absorbed glutenous playboy zillionaire showing off in front of my friends and family. But hey, that's the life I've chosen and I'm not ashamed of my ridiculously obscene wealth. Subsequently, I chose a delightfully nutty, and slightly fruity aperitif that was a scintillatingly complex cross between mossy stones and tanned leather. The maitre'd referred to it as aperitif du jour -- Archa. Sure I could have opted for that bilge swill Issan Bier, but, like I said, spending a little extra on the high life doesn't seem to phase me.

I even splashed out on a tip for the little honey who brought over some extra kap moo (crackling dermis le swine). I'm a renaissance man, of sorts, who can recognize high-quality service when I see it. I also took notice of the discreet way she wiped the swarming ants off the fine and sturdy plastic table before our highly discerning party were seated. First class. Surely, a well-heeled man like yourself knows this sort of exceptional service should not go unrewarded. Upon departing the immaculately swept and manicured curb, I slipped the dear a shiny silver/gold piece conspicuously embossed with the phrase "๑๐" denoting authenticity and value. I was happy to oblige.

Here's to the high life OT.

I am a bit of a loss with your posts, I don't find them sarcastic because I have no idea what you are going on about.

OT......

[maaka]

not sure if Glyn was referring to me or not, but his comment regarding someone talking in the third person sense came just after me last statement here..if it was me, I can assure you I do not have a high opinion of myself at all..old age, no I dont think so, loniness, well 25yrs living alone on a remote island out on the edge of the world, can have a man talking to himself more than in the third sense, and when ones custom and culture is to talk to and acknowledge mountains, buildings as if they were people, and the dead, so if it was me you are referring too, then perhaps you will allow me some elbow room if I talk in a slightly different manner to that in which you are use too..

sorry for going off track folks..just wanted to clear that one up if it was referring to me..right of rebuttal and all that..