Idea taken from another thread.

I get so sick of people who object to even the slightest criticism of anything here -or in any country- by responding with 'You're a guest here, you should keep quiet'.

This has even been cited to justify corrupt cops demanding cash, suggesting that if we find handing over a few dollars for nothing unpalatable, we should perhaps re-evaluate where we want to live.

I agree with hanno (iirc) that most of us are paying customers, who buy visas, work permits, spend money and pay taxes, and hopefully contribute something to the improvement of the country.

It's a hell of a lot more than some rich Khmers are doing.

I also disagree with the constant bitching about any place one lives, life is too short to be unhappy if one has other options.

The attitude that one has been allowed to enter the privileged holy of holies and should therefore say nada seems to me to be a bit of a neo-colonial thing, or a confused interpretation of the noble savage idea.

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I think it is poor form to publicly criticise the host nation. We have no franchise here.
It can be dangerous to openly oppose the regime in many countries.

I'm not advocating public criticism of the regime at all. In fact, I'm totally convinced Rain Man would be far worse.

But when someone suggests we should just pay any flunky what he demands because we are 'guests' it's taking it to ridiculous extremes.

vladimir wrote:...The attitude that one has been allowed to enter the privileged holy of holies and should therefore say nada seems to me to be a bit of a neo-colonial thing, or a confused interpretation of the noble savage idea.

I would have thought it the opposite of the 'neo-colonial thing' - even a progressive anti-colonial thing. After all, the colonials were never hesitant to criticise the locals or their ways, did not consider themselves invited guests, and were happy to impose changes. Civilizing the locals and the country was often part of their project.

If you view yourself as a "customer" in Cambodia, it's because you are obsessed with money.

Cam Nivag wrote:If you view yourself as a "customer" in Cambodia, it's because you are obsessed with money.

I don't think that's true. It's just realism. Those obsessed with money tend to agonize about costs. I don't do that - but I'm not a guest here - I am a paying customer. I pay a visa fee to enter, I pay rent, I spend a small fortune here and yet, don't qualify to vote, or for benefits (which I admit are fairly non-existent in Cambodia), etc. I can't even, technically, buy land something that any Khmer with the cash can do in the UK.

Those who view themselves as "guests" are obsessed with being something they're not.

My wife can buy land in the UK? I'm curious now, can someone enlighten me?

As for criticizing Cambodia, in my simplistic approach, I believe many are jealous that others make a lot more money than them for "free" while they're stuck where they are. Criticizing people's country is a lot like rubbing salt in the wound I can imagine because they think "You're rich, I'm poor" and that's the end of the train of thought.

Personally though, I am all up for criticizing all kinds of anything, as long as it's done in a constructive way. I don't mean the fluffy round about soft bullshit that schools often try and teach you about when they say "constructive criticism", but offering a solution (not imposing) that you believe will help solve a something you see as either a problem or an annoyance.

If we're not open to criticism and are content with going nowhere, then we're confined to exactly where we happen to plant our behinds, whether it be in front of the telly, on the sands of a beach or in a hammock.

Cam Nivag wrote:If you view yourself as a "customer" in Cambodia, it's because you are obsessed with money.

Says the guy who whined about paying for one lady-drink.

The definition of a customer includes someone who pays for a service/product. I pay to work here, I pay to be here, I pay for electricity, water etc. I think that entitles me to to criticise when I feel I'm not getting what I pay for. Like the lady-drink situation, right?.

You don't work here, so your situation is slightly different.

Maybe where you are from vaginmac, you charge guests to enter your house, I'm not sure, but where I'm from we don't do that.

AE86 wrote:My wife can buy land in the UK? I'm curious now, can someone enlighten me?

As for criticizing Cambodia, in my simplistic approach, I believe many are jealous that others make a lot more money than them for "free" while they're stuck where they are. Criticizing people's country is a lot like rubbing salt in the wound I can imagine because they think "You're rich, I'm poor" and that's the end of the train of thought.

Personally though, I am all up for criticizing all kinds of anything, as long as it's done in a constructive way. I don't mean the fluffy round about soft bullshit that schools often try and teach you about when they say "constructive criticism", but offering a solution (not imposing) that you believe will help solve a something you see as either a problem or an annoyance.

If we're not open to criticism and are content with going nowhere, then we're confined to exactly where we happen to plant our behinds, whether it be in front of the telly, on the sands of a beach or in a hammock.

Anyone can buy land in the UK. Purchase of land does not grant the right of abode (or even guarantee a visit visa) but it's legal for pretty much anyone to do so. As it is in the US too. This has occasionally been embarrassing (like when America realized it had sold all bar one of its ports to the UAE) but in capitalist societies if you have the cash, you can join the party...

Cam Nivag wrote:If you view yourself as a "customer" in Cambodia, it's because you are obsessed with money.

Yes, the OP is perhaps worded a bit too literally. When I first posted this idea last year I too stated it a bit strongly but hinted at its analogous intent by adding the words "at best." It's not necessarily one or the other - it's more 'not a guest' than an actual customer. Or perhaps better said, it's a lot more like being a customer than like being a guest.