Bowling invitation # 7

[Bump]

Well the next one is scheduled Monday June 26 Th 11:oo A.M. Robinsons.

Great group this week even the infamous Banpeang snuck in on us.

I almost didn't make it myself, the back more often then I like really does a number on me and I'm grounded for up to a week. So please this is not about meeting the wife and I there, it is meant to be a social activity for everyone

The bowling tournament Sunday I guess the sweety is offically a pro, won 2K baht.

It was amazing to watch the real Pros came over from Lao's, in the Mens division to win you would had to bowl 255 or better three games in a row, Wiinning score 815 out of a posible 900.

It was funny people who knew who they were did not join the tournament. We had no idea so the sweety did really good getting a second place in the kadies division. Still no trophy

[beer monkey]

The bowling tournament Sunday I guess the sweety is offically a pro, won 2K baht.

:

now if you could get the good lady in one tournament a week it could turn out rather nice.

[Alagrl]

This is sounding more and more fun -- we're going to have to give it a try on our next visit. I used to bowl quite a bit, have hit 200+ several times.

[Bump]

You know some people bowl and others don't. But it seems like we have fun no matter who does what ,

[polehawk]

Yeah, the Monday bowling session when we were in Thailand was great fun. Very relaxed and congenial atmosphere. Up2you to seriously bowl a game or two or sit it out with a cold Singha and shoot the breeze with some good folks from the forum. Keep it going, Ray.

And, you know, everytime I waved at the nice waitress she would come rushing over with another Singha beer lek wrapped in a foam Singha cooler. Thought I was in heaven.

[Bump]

You know it was funny when we first went there, the staff was pretty much afraid of me. It took sometime before they got used to me and now they can't do enough for us. They are always teasing me, about being fat. never about being an old guy, never figured that part out, but they don't go there anyway. They have thier days that not a quick on the draw, but don't we all

It was a big move for us as we had been bolwing at Big C for a long time adn we had friends there, but now we have friends in both places. It's just for fun guys nothing serious about it.

[polehawk]

They are always teasing me, about being fat. never about being an old guy, never figured that part out, but they don't go there anyway.

I guess it's because Thais just respect age more than we're accustomed to, Ray. I noticed that the younger Thais treat me differently than they did thirty or so years ago, too. An example was when wife and I were waiting for a songtaew to take us out to the village and a waiting tuktuk driver walked up and, in a polite way, asked me to step back into the shade and sit down on a bench until the vehicle came. I don't think I'm that old and decrepit looking at 63 but it was a nice gesture anyway.

[arjay]

Ray said

You know it was funny when we first went there, the staff was pretty much afraid of me. It took sometime before they got used to me and now they can't do enough for us.

Ray, would that have anything to do with the size of tip you leave?!

[Bump]

Of course it does just a it did at Big C, but the tips are not for normal service, ever notice they go get our equipment, including a personal fan and usually get a chair that is more comfortable for me. The tip is usually 20 baht, which in all honesty I think is fair. But the more you are there and speak with them the more they are going to be helpful. By the way I have never tipped anyone there, but the wife does, but we tip for service beyond the norm, not just getting a drink for us.

The girls are just as friendly at the front desk and they never get tipped. So yes I wold say that the tip in some ways certainly has something to do with it. On the other hand the wife is there at least five times a week, she bowls in the tournaments and the lady league. For me I always try to be friendly tease the staff a bit and have fun sharing my time with them.

It wasn't always like this, when we first went there tip or no tip they just ignored us. They have to get to know you. They know farrangs get angry and show it and they deal with drunken farrangs a lot more then I would care to deal with any drunk.

You know they have preconcieved notions of us just as we do of them such as the tip being the motivation for friendly behavior. It takes a bit of time before they reealize your not trying to boom boom the entire staff, or that your not a drunken tourist off to raise hell in the place. Believe me when you first go there they are very afraid of the average farrang.

For me once they have earned a tip they will get it everytime. At Big C we gave Christmas bonus to the staff that helped through the year. One guy a few years ago was very ill and missed three weeks of work. I gave him 2K baht on the side. Why he worked hard everyday and was supporting his family. Did I make friend by doing that not really he was already a friend.

I will always help when I see someone work hard, but will never give a baht to a begger, but thats' just me