The Vent and Rant Thread

[bjones6416]

Originally Posted by Mortis

Am I the only gentleman (ok I use the term lightly) that doesn't like being called "Sir"? I feel really old when someone says that, it's not like I'm a spring chicken, but I'm not quite ready for the long dark dirt nap. Sheesh, kids these days, in my day.... damn, I was only half joking

Where did you grow up? Here in the southern U.S. it isn't offensive at all to most people to be called Ma'am or Sir, not matter what your age is. It's kind of a cultural thing here -- most of us grew up using those terms both for anyone older than us and for pretty much anyone we don't know. For instance, when trying to get a server's attention in a restaurant here a lot of people say, "Ma'am?( or "Sir?) May I have a refill on my coffee, please?" And children are pretty much EXPECTED to say Ma'am or Sir here -- it's a respect-for-your-elders thing.

[Rumpelteazer]

Originally Posted by dsvick

Good luck with that, you may find they are just doing it for the fun of smashing glass in a way that wont get them in trouble.

They usually smash the glass the night before it is collected so I think they probably forgot and had to do it in the morning.

And the owner will listen to us because like most cafes their electic system is bad and he doesn't want to spend the money to upgade/replace it. But regularly are problems and my father helps out for free (even outside our store's opening times). They know that if they don't listen to our complaints my father won't help them out anymore.

We only have to wait until we see the owner because complaining to his personnel won't help.

[Mortis]

Originally Posted by bjones6416

Where did you grow up? Here in the southern U.S. it isn't offensive at all to most people to be called Ma'am or Sir, not matter what your age is. It's kind of a cultural thing here -- most of us grew up using those terms both for anyone older than us and for pretty much anyone we don't know. For instance, when trying to get a server's attention in a restaurant here a lot of people say, "Ma'am?( or "Sir?) May I have a refill on my coffee, please?" And children are pretty much EXPECTED to say Ma'am or Sir here -- it's a respect-for-your-elders thing.

I grew up in Canada and the area I'm from adults only ever call someone Sir or Ma'am if they are younger than the person they are addressing or they are police officers something like this "Sir, have you been drinking tonight?"

I guess it only took me by surprise here because it's so uncommon over here, kids here will call you "Uncle or Aunty", any adult that called Uncle would get a withering look I did get called old man once, it was right before the little bugger told me to hand over my wallet :P

[SneakySnake]

Originally Posted by Mortis

I grew up in Canada and the area I'm from adults only ever call someone Sir or Ma'am if they are younger than the person they are addressing or they are police officers something like this "Sir, have you been drinking tonight?"

I guess it only took me by surprise here because it's so uncommon over here, kids here will call you "Uncle or Aunty", any adult that called Uncle would get a withering look I did get called old man once, it was right before the little bugger told me to hand over my wallet :P

In NT aboriginal society being called 'old man' or 'old lady' is a term of respect. (Even more respect or sycophantic if you are young). A 'young girl' is the lowest of the low. Bloke was given a sour look once when he thanked an 'old lady' in Adelaide. We were so used to Arnhem land he didn't know she would be offended.

[Mortis]

I am sure there is never any ill feeling behind someone saying sir. ma'am, Mr. Mrs... but it sometimes hits you off balance

[Stitchawl]

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

In NT aboriginal society being called 'old man' or 'old lady' is a term of respect. (Even more respect or sycophantic if you are young). A 'young girl' is the lowest of the low. Bloke was given a sour look once when he thanked an 'old lady' in Adelaide. We were so used to Arnhem land he didn't know she would be offended.

In Thailand I am often addressed as 'Papa' by store clerks, wait staff, etc., and shown the utmost courtesy. Rather than making me feel 'old,' it makes me feel honored.


Stitchawl

[maianhvk]

@ desertblues: I'm kinda different - I 'see' the city just like I turn on a slide show, no smell included. But when I think about or miss someone, I 'smell' them

but all that doesn't matter now! The thing that matters is that I'm probably not seeing the city in 4 years from now...

[maianhvk]

@ desertblues: I'm kinda different - I 'see' the city just like I turn on a slide show, no smell included. But when I think about or miss someone, I 'smell' them

but all that doesn't matter now! The thing that matters is that I'm probably not seeing the city in 4 years from now...

[montsnmags]

Originally Posted by Mortis

Am I the only gentleman (ok I use the term lightly) that doesn't like being called "Sir"? I feel really old when someone says that, it's not like I'm a spring chicken, but I'm not quite ready for the long dark dirt nap. Sheesh, kids these days, in my day.... damn, I was only half joking

I'm not a big user of titles of any sort, so tend to call people by their first name, and expect the same in response. About the only exception (and this isn't an expectation but an emotional cockle-warming) is when my youngest nephew occasionally calls me "Uncle Marc". Oh, and I used to call my mother-out-law "Mrs Howe" because it annoyed her (in an affectionate "private joke" between us kind of way).

If someone called me "Sir", I'd look over my shoulder to see if there was chavalier blanc riding through.

Originally Posted by SneakySnake

In NT aboriginal society being called 'old man' or 'old lady' is a term of respect. (Even more respect or sycophantic if you are young). A 'young girl' is the lowest of the low. Bloke was given a sour look once when he thanked an 'old lady' in Adelaide. We were so used to Arnhem land he didn't know she would be offended.

You know, I do somewhat envy your experiences, old lady.

Cheers,
Marc

[Mortis]

The people in Thailand are some of the most polite people I have ever met, Japanese people are close, but not as real<?> I have never been to BK so the people I have met have all been from Northern Thailand. I have been to Phuket and the people are very friendly but I was always careful of my wallet, that is not to say I felt threatened by the Thai people, it was because every Westerner has some "Story" about how they got robbed in Phuket. I think if all the stories were true, there wouldn't be any tourists in Phuket.

My biggest rant, Expats, who the hell do you think you are?

I have lived here for close to 7 years and I have become one with Malaysia, ok thats not true, I still don't like chicken feet.

To be blunt and honest, I don't like Expats, although technically I am one but I have never been that arrogant ass who is always complaining about the way things are in Malaysia. My favorite complaint here is about the girls working in the clubs, I don't need to explain it to you. These guys always complaining about the girls being there, well if the girls weren't there, there would be nothing but a bunch of horny expats standing round holding their, errmm drinks. I don't condone the practice, but it's better than getting some local girl pregnant and giving the little lady a peck on the cheek, then buggering off home to where ever you came from. I accept that men of that young age need an outlet but there are so many local girls with little babies but no fathers, understand this isn't like in your country, these girls if Malays (Muslim) can go to jail for having a baby outside of marriage, its a very serious offense, but these young guys don't think about that, do they? granted there are some cases where the girl is looking for a way out, but I think these cases are far and few between.

The number of men that I have met with Malaysian girlfriends and a wife back home is staggering and they all give a little nod, that they think says "Good on ya mate" but to me says "I'm a lecherous bastard and I'll trade this one in as soon as I find someone younger"

I admit, I complain about a few things, the drivers are unbelievable, Montreal was tame in comparison. I do complain about the restraunts, not the food but the condition of the restraunts themselves, but for the most part I am happy living here.

Remember that the salaries for an expat middle manager is the same as it would be in say, England, Australia or Canada, but also includes rent in a nice apartment, a car and an expense account, but the cost of living is very low, for example a liter of petrol costs RM 2 ( $0.60 USD ). A good meal in a nice restaurant for 2, with wine and dessert would come in at about RM300, or about $100 USD. My rent on a 4 bedroom link house with a garden and about 1000 sqft is less than $250 USD.

So, whenever i meet a young 30 something expat thats got a maid, a BMW and weekends on the coast with a cooler of ice and beer, and I hear them complaining I usually ask them, "So back home in <Insert Country> you could afford to have a maid, a BMW and weekends at the coast? So why don't you go back there and enjoy <Insert Country>, rather than bitching about the country you "Chose" to come to, no one forced you to come. This invariably ends my dipping into their cooler of beer.

I have met expats from many countries but I refer above to only a few Western countries that I have seen this behavior: some Canadians, Americans, Australians and British. To be totally fair, I have met a lot of people from those countries that were very nice and loved living here, but for the most part they are married with children and about my age, mid 40's - early 50's. But by and large, the single guys with a good job, a BMW, Merc, Porsche are all pretty much asshats and really need a good old fashioned frozen muk-luk to the gentleman bits!

If I have offended any expats, I suggest you saunter back out to your BMW and...errr never mind.

Cheers

[desertblues]

Originally Posted by maianhvk

@ desertblues: I'm kinda different - I 'see' the city just like I turn on a slide show, no smell included. But when I think about or miss someone, I 'smell' them

but all that doesn't matter now! The thing that matters is that I'm probably not seeing the city in 4 years from now...

O, that must be a terrible feeling for you. Is it a very costly trip to make for you? Did you make a lot of photo's, to remember your city by......well it isn't the same, of course.
I hope you won't be too home-sick.

[kennyc]

Originally Posted by montsnmags

...


You know, I do somewhat envy your experiences, old lady.

Cheers,
Marc

You Young Whipper-Snapper!

[GeoffC]

[DixieGal]

Mortis, I share your sentiments, although my travel experience is limited to visiting instead of emigrating (so far). Just because Tim and I will be yakking nonstop in English, it seems to signal every other American in the vicinity to come over and start complaining that "they are not doing it like we do it back home."

I always ask what they were expecting to find in a foreign land. If you want the world "like we do it back home," stay home and go to Epcot or Vegas. They can show you the sights without you needing to broaden your horizens whatsoever.

I blame professional travel groups. They overcharge travellers, then shuttle them from pre-arranged americanized tour to pre-arranged americanized hotel. On their one free half-afternoon, they stumble out of the hotel and must face the terrifying prospect of public transportation all by themselves.

That is not how they do it back home.

[wodin]

Having spent nearly half of my life in and around the US military, the honorific “sir” is pretty much ingrained in me.

Why, I remember a day when women in the military were somewhat rare, and calling an officer “sir” was a requirement, even if she was a female.