Expat Dress Code in Public Places

Post by **parrot** » June 19, 2011, 7:29 pm

An aging brain cell was just rejuvenated:
Back in the early 70's in Nakhon Phanom (NKP), the US military patrolled the downtown area.....usually an officer along with a higher ranking NCO on board a jeep. If you were caught with your shirt (civilian or uniform)hanging out of your pants or unbuttoned you were told to correct the problem on the spot. The same if you were wearing sandals and no socks. Violators had their names written down and repeat violators were reported to their respective squadrons. Likewise, GIs were not allowed to double up in samlors (with either another GI or a Thai).
I don't think shorts were invented yet....but I do remember some wild clothes being fashioned in the tailor shops.........thank you Jimmie Hendrix et al.

Post by **pienmash** » June 19, 2011, 7:31 pm

The term slob is word i havent seen or used for a long time , where did the term originate anyone ??

Its not rocket science to work out what is appropriate to wear on a given occasion ,and each persons values differ , i aint no snob or slob but i know what and when to wear the right kind of clothing enuff said .

I do however have the decision to make letting a person into my business premises inapropriatley dressed , a fella walked in approx 2 weeks ago without a shirt on and i politely stated he must wear a shirt ,,,,,,, a tirade of abuse followed along the lines ....... dont you want my money ,what difference does it make etc etc suffice to say he left cursing ,,,pommie bastard blablabla . Why was he so shocked at my rules , i wouldnt dream of going into a place without my shirt on , would be totalyy unfai on the sales girls haha . Was i in the right or am i a twot for my actions???

I dont want to sterotype so wont divulge his nationality also i do recognise that every country has the good the bad the indifferent and the total nutcases .

Mash...........let the jury decide - no facebook contact ok

Post by **trubrit** » June 19, 2011, 7:36 pm

Perhaps he had been playing cards and got a bad hand. I doubt you would have kicked a woman out, you sexist you .

Post by **KHONDAHM** » June 19, 2011, 7:44 pm

Yes, I was referring to collared shirts with buttons from neckline to belt - with or without buttons on the collar. Solid colored (white, light pastels, etc.) "polo" shirts would also qualify.

Truebrit is spot on saying essentially it's the perception of the company you are in that determines how you are perceived. And "we", my friends, are but guests in the Kingdom where what Thais perceive is what ultimately matters. I suppose that is why it is called THAIland and not DoYourOwnThingland. You certainly can do your own thing within limits, but do not get it twisted: THEY still set and control those limits. Realizing and accepting that fact is part of what it would take to live in harmony here. I could care less whether Joe Blow is wearing a T-shirt or tuxedo, sports a ponytail, Afro, or Mohawk. What determines whether he is an ok guy or a bum jerk depends exclusively on how he interacts with me, mine, and others around him. I am sure many would join me in saying we don't give a rats @@@ how much wealth he has or doesn't have. What he eats doesn't make me s@@t, so to speak.

If one spends time being an active passive observer, one can absorb a lot of information about Thai values by simply watching them. The uniforms is a marvelous example of how Thais value hierarchy and status. This can also be observed in their conversations where they quickly determine "big dog, little dog" with tone and "ka/khap"'s and reinforce it with visual wais. I mean, really...you have to ask yourself as I did: Why does a teacher need medals? Why does a government clerk need rank? It is because attire is highly regarded as a way to determine a person's place in society - from how you are addressed to how you are regarded.

As a foreigner (and especially for me) they often NEED you to fit a stereotype. I'll skip a winded anecdote about me in a t-shirt, pants with holes, crusty old shoes, etc. and just say it's just my observation.

Post by **Saboo** » June 19, 2011, 7:54 pm

I remember a few years ago here in Udon… in bed not being able to sleep… suddenly deciding a bottle of beers or two was what I needed to send me too the land of Nod… Jumping up and going out wearing my pajamas… This was when Steve’s bar was owned by Steve and Marli… the bar girls loved it… especially when my todger made an appearance… poking his head out of the slip in the front… I never wear underwear…
On holiday in Pattaya back in the mid 90’s… I bought a school boys uniform and wore in around the bars and go-go bars… the girls loved it... Had a great time whenever I wore it…
Here I tend to wear football shorts (Still don’t wear skiddies)… when it’s cold its Army Combats… I had a westerner once ask me if I was a Samlaw driver…!
Why I am telling you this…? Because it is up to me what I wear... it doesn’t bother me what any of you wear… why should it bother you… ?

Post by **semperfiguy** » June 19, 2011, 8:04 pm

pienmash wrote:The term slob is word i havent seen or used for a long time , where did the term originate anyone ??

Its not rocket science to work out what is appropriate to wear on a given occasion ,and each persons values differ , i aint no snob or slob but i know what and when to wear the right kind of clothing enuff said .

I do however have the decision to make letting a person into my business premises inapropriatley dressed , a fella walked in approx 2 weeks ago without a shirt on and i politely stated he must wear a shirt ,,,,,,, a tirade of abuse followed along the lines ....... dont you want my money ,what difference does it make etc etc suffice to say he left cursing ,,,pommie bastard blablabla . Why was he so shocked at my rules , i wouldnt dream of going into a place without my shirt on , would be totalyy unfai on the sales girls haha . Was i in the right or am i a twot for my actions???

I dont want to sterotype so wont divulge his nationality also i do recognise that every country has the good the bad the indifferent and the total nutcases .

Mash...........let the jury decide - no facebook contact ok

Mash...in the States an eating establishment might have a sign prominently displayed which says "No Shirts, No Shoes, No Service". You didn't mention in your post that you did or didn't have such a sign, so it's possible the guy felt that you had just singled him out to discriminate against him, and that's what infuriated him. The sign takes most of the blame off you personally...and all you have to do is point to it and they get the idea. But you definitely did the right thing by turning him away. You have a reputation to maintain, and I would say that your other customers would have felt very offended and uncomfortable with him in their midst and may have never frequented your place again. I commend you for having the courage to take a proper stand!! Cheers!

Post by **pienmash** » June 19, 2011, 8:28 pm

Thank you sir , i do have a sign NO PETS ALLOWED this still didnt stop a customer coming in with a Chichowa dog and being most upset when i asked him to leave , i DO NOT have a NO SHIRT NO SERVICE sign as i thought it wasnt nessesary for my kind of place , there was one in the bar in Pattaya which needed to be pointed out frequently,,,, turns out i was wrong n wil get one printed and put up.

mash.

Post by **Dokya** » June 19, 2011, 8:37 pm

pienmash wrote: he left cursing ,,,pommie bastard blablabla .

I dont want to sterotype so wont divulge his nationality also i do recognise that every country has the good the bad the indifferent and the total nutcases .

Mash...........let the jury decide - no facebook contact ok

Think you may have given his nationality away my Scunny friend...

Totally with you though, no need for it, I can just about accept it at a beach resort, (even sunny old Cleethorpes), but in the middle of town, no need. Bet he had a big gut, (like the one you used to have), and a hairy belly button too, not good for the health and hygeine cert of CC eh?

Post by **Dokya** » June 19, 2011, 8:51 pm

Having spent most of my working life in uniforms and suits, when I am on my down time I like to wear what I feel comfortable in and in this Thai heat it is invariably shorts and polo shirts. I also maybe do not shave every day, as I wouldn't when had a weekend off back in my previous life, does this make me a lesser person? I am clean, my clothes, be it shorts, polo shirts, sandals, (without socks), are clean, I consider myself well groomed, no beer gut, no tattoos on show etc, but with or without I am still the same person.

I think a lot of it also is to do with the age and stature/figure of a person and their clothes and also the occasion upon which you are dressing for. If chilling in my house in my shorts, I would not dream of nipping to the shop, (30 metres away), without first putting a top on, it's just not the done thing here...imo

Post by **LoongLee** » June 19, 2011, 9:28 pm

Me thinks the people complaining about being able to wear what they want sound exactly like children complaining when they can't get their way. No one here has said you must wear this, or this, or that. Wear what you want but understand it comes with a price,,,,,,, and that price is paid everytime you have to interact with the locals, in any country.

I would not think of being inappropriately dressed when my wife and I go out with her family (almost 100% in Bangkok). They wouldn't say a word but I know they would be ashamed and I simply couldn't do that to them.

I agree 1000 % with semperfiguy, trubrit, and others. IMHO, they haven't expressed a "wear a suit and tie" code but instead a common-sense approach to appropriateness for the occasion. =D> =D> =D>

Post by **jackspratt** » June 19, 2011, 9:53 pm

LoongLee wrote:Wear what you want but understand it comes with a price,,,,,,, and that price is paid everytime you have to interact with the locals, in any country.

As I probably fit somewhere between the "long pants, button-down shirt and shoes and sox" brigade, and the "torn shorts, spittle stained Chang singlet and thongs" mob, I would be interested to know what that price is - particularly in relation to Udon Thani, Thailand.

Post by **grozza** » June 19, 2011, 10:39 pm

a lot of forum members have expressed how the locals perceived us farang on how we dress,well what do you think the thais think when they see a farang walking down the street with a g/f or partner who is young enough to be there daughter they not only laugh at you but also your partner as well :-"

Post by **Welshboy** » June 19, 2011, 11:00 pm

the "long pants, button-down shirt and shoes and sox" brigade.

You can polish a turd and make it shine, but it is still only a turd.

Post by **Khun Paul** » June 20, 2011, 6:52 am

Dress sense is something that one learns normally from ones parents and the society that you live in, more often than not wew all conform. here however one does not feel the need to conform BUT commonsense together with a sense of decorum seems to fly out of the window by some. Example a man walking through Tescos dress in a very loose out of shape vest and baggy very loose shorts and flip flops is not what i would call appropriate dress, but it is horses for courses.
One only has to look at the pictures of Wal-mart customers to see that even in a supposed civilised society dress sense is sometimes non-existent.
Whatever you wear it should be clean and look reasonably good, excessive baring of your body in public is not acceptable here but some do.I say clean as so often expecially in the morning one has seen a foreigner who obvioulsly has had a good night wandering in a daze to get a fix of coffee or whatever and to be honest they look disgusting and they smell.
Despite what you may think Thais are shy and do not really like the brash way many foreigners portray themselves. But they also do not complain at least not to the offender.

So we should all respect that in a outwardly polite society , we should all dress sensibly whether that be in shorts and shirt and sneakers , or long trousers and shoes and tie etc: - .

Post by **pompui** » June 20, 2011, 7:12 am

grozza wrote:a lot of forum members have expressed how the locals perceived us farang on how we dress,well what do you think the thais think when they see a farang walking down the street with a g/f or partner who is young enough to be there daughter they not only laugh at you but also your partner as well :-"

LOL

Think you and Saboo should get together one night at the local bingo hall with your partners

Have seen farang without any top,even a singlet,walking around Robinsons,never seen a Thai do this.Are the farang just very hot and need aircon to cool them down

,at least it dissipates the BO

lol

Post by **pienmash** » June 20, 2011, 8:44 am

Dokya wrote:
pienmash wrote: he left cursing ,,,pommie bastard blablabla .

I dont want to sterotype so wont divulge his nationality also i do recognise that every country has the good the bad the indifferent and the total nutcases .

Mash...........let the jury decide - no facebook contact ok
Think you may have given his nationality away my Scunny friend...

Totally with you though, no need for it, I can just about accept it at a beach resort, (even sunny old Cleethorpes), but in the middle of town, no need. Bet he had a big gut, (like the one you used to have), and a hairy belly button too, not good for the health and hygeine cert of CC eh?

Yes Doks , i did that on purpose - was a joke !! and to see who was awake and on the ball ....... well done young man.

BTW ,,,,,,, as usual im wearing a genuine lacoste pole shirt and shorts , my normal attire for the daily slog in the emporium ......... i can actually get into a size 5 now as my big fat gut is indeed a thing of the past ,,, dont miss it either !!. I have had a few customers ask how i lost the weight so quick and the easiset way to get rid of a lump of unsightly blubber save money and feel happier n healthier .................... simple a DIVORCE !!..

mash.

Post by **Zidane** » June 20, 2011, 10:20 am

This elderly chap is wearing a nice checked shirt but the girls will be turned off by those appalling glasses.....

Whereas this old man is immaculately attired and impeccably behaved !

Post by **old-timer** » June 20, 2011, 3:16 pm

: images.jpg (12.38 KiB) Viewed 2224 times

OT............. $\:D/$

Post by **UdonExpat** » June 21, 2011, 4:53 pm

Oh, my graceful loving God, the dress police are alive and well in Udon Thani!!

Well, maybe not well, but certainly spreading the same swill and intolerance I hoped to escape by moving to the other side of the world.

Perhaps a nudist colony will be my next escape.

Post by **Bertie_Wooster** » June 21, 2011, 6:39 pm

Similar dress code posts can be found on many of the Thai boards that I have visited from the strait laced boards to the ones detailing which chick at bar X is a gobbler. Hmmm... I guess people are the same all over.

I do not care what people wear as long as they do not have any offending smells. Wearing short pants on a broiling hot day? Go for it. Wearing short pants on a day when the temperature drops below 10 degrees? No problem. Have a beer belly and your tank top is really, really tight? Enjoy, but I might have a bit of a chuckle when I see you.

I was bored... here are a couple quotes...
It's always the badly dressed people who are the most interesting. ~Jean Paul Gaultier

If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies.... It would be a sad situation if the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it. ~Albert Einstein

Bertie_Wooster