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Originally Posted by sextile
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-- It's 100%. for sure that I'm no expert on Thai culture as it affects insurance.
- All that I'll observe is that when I was living in MNL. I used to see a quotation from the Lord Buddha on one of the walls of an health-foods' shop: 'Fret not about yesterday, worry not about tomorrow, but live each moment of the present passionately and wisely.', or words to that effect.*
- I realize that one's avg. Thai boi is probably not the most reliable of indicators about how the avg. and better educated Thai person thinks, but, if they're any guide, taking precautions against the future is not part of their mentality. My enthusiastic and American friend knows a Thai man, probably early 30's. now, whose only accomplishments lie in his manhood & virility. Reportedly when asked about his future, after his powers will have declined, he merely shrugs his shoulders in a somewhat 'Que sera sera.' attitude; reportedly any thoughts of saving for his future don't seem to have entered his head. Sad, really.
--* As an aside, some Xtns. believe that during the period when the NT. makes no mention of Jesus' activities, (roughly between the ages of 12YO. and his late 20's?), He went to the East and studied there. It is interesting to compare the Lord Buddha's a/m observation with what Jesus is reported to have said along similar lines in Matt.VII:34., for example.
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I would say the Chinese in Thailand (who I heard own the whole country) are different from the native Thais.
I had a Thai bf whose mother is Chinese (refugee from China in her youth) (and whose father is at least part Chinese)--and raised to save money (money obsession). He said that he never knew a "native" Thai (non-Chinese descent) who had any kind of savings or bank-account mentality.
But I wonder if this responsibility tapers off with children, grandchildren, etc. of immigrant Chinese.
I'm amazed at all the unprotected anal sex in saunas in Bangkok (lack of care)--which includes cute Chinese guys.
This quote from "Siam" in 11th Ed. Encyclopaedia Britannica (1910) really makes a good observations:
"In disposition the Siamese are mild-mannered, patient, submissive to authority, kindly and hospitable to strangers. They are light-hearted, apathetic people, little given to quarrelling or to the commission of violent crime. Though able and intelligent cultivators they do not take kindly to any form of labour other than agricultural, with the result that most of the industries and trades of the country are in the hands of Chinese."