The Secret to Expat Happiness: Managing Your Expectations [S6.E65]

The Secret to Expat Happiness: Managing Your Expectations [S6.E65]

Greg and Ed discuss how to manage your expectations in Thailand as a strategy for surviving and thriving in the Land of Smiles, or indeed, as an expat anywhere outside of your comfort zone. Ed explains that in giving advice to a recent arrival, he emphasized being smart about what to expect. Instead of trying to change Thailand to something familiar or to get it to fit some previously determined standard, it's better to simply appreciate what Thai people are good at and accept what they are not good at.

The guys then talk about the dangerous trap of merely LOWERING your expectations and just assuming everything is worse in Thailand. They then run through numerous examples of things better here than where they are from back home: food in general, public transportation, electronic banking, etc. 'Managing your expectations' undoubtedly works in both directions.

Ed then brings up the realization that sometimes Thais simply have a different interpretation of something we all value, such as 'customer service.' Back home, it implies competence and efficiency, but to Thais it means attention and a sincere desire to help. Sure you may prefer the back home version, but the smart thing is to appreciate what the Thai concept brings to the table.

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Summing Up: Giving Bangkok's Ubiquitous Malls Some Slogans [S8.E17]

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Avoiding the Newbie Drama: Are Long-Term Expats Just Lucky? [S8.E16]

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Murder in Thailand: Kevin Maes Talks About His Book "Kingdom of Trials" [S8.E15]

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Talking with Phra Pandit: Amulets, Talismans, Relics & Faith [S8.E14] (Classic ReCast)

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30 Sep 202536min

Greg & Ed Opine on BBC's 'Documentary' and Media Misconceptions of Thailand [S8.E13)

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Chatwan Mongkok Digs Into Bangkok with His 'Soiciety' Newsletter [S8.E12]

Chatwan Mongkok Digs Into Bangkok with His 'Soiciety' Newsletter [S8.E12]

Greg and Ed interview Chatwan Mongkol about his relatively new website called 'Soiciety.' Chatwan begins by explaining that he was born and raised in Thailand but then went to the U.S. for a year of h...

16 Sep 202542min

Grave Topic: Discussing Bangkok's Protestant & Chinese Cemeteries [S8.E11]

Grave Topic: Discussing Bangkok's Protestant & Chinese Cemeteries [S8.E11]

Diving into the differences between East & West, Greg and Ed discuss two famous cemeteries in Bangkok. Ed takes the Teochiew Chinese Cemetery off of Sathorn Road, and Greg talks about the Protestant C...

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Can Bangkok Be Enjoyed Without Booze? [S8.E10]

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