Negativity towards expats
Re: Negativity towards expats
I don't throw it about, I used it as one of the examples to show to someone the word Barang might be the wrong word.
I am not overly scared to embarrass someone, as long as it's clear you're joking a lot is allowed, plus, I used the word apologize in the same original post which you seemed to overlook.
We call? Who's we? I never refer to myself as a Barang.
Re: Negativity towards expats
We all live where we do for reasons mainly, if its where you chose by choice then I suppose you should be happy with your environment, surroundings and the people you live amongst, it doesn't always work out that way. You may live with your Khmer partner, or alone in a village, town or city. It maybe you are here for retirement or even work, whatever the circumstances it would be nice if we have bettered ourselves overall, or found a good balance that we enjoy of our new lifestyle.AndyKK wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 9:45 amCould live near the Thai border towns, with a mixed population of those areas and inter-related families it's easy to be called either.phuketrichard wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 9:40 amThan you live in Thailand....BTW, farang is the term I hear most often where I live.
We can't blame the Khmer people if we have not found any of the things we may be looking for in our lives.
Like the title of the thread "Negativity towards expats". The word Barang "French," but in fact it means a foreigner with a European complexion, the word is not that of a demeaning word, but some Khmer speakers might use it in a bad context. The word doesn't really bother me too much, I have certainly been called a lot worse names in Khmer. I draw the line when this type of bad name calling comes from very young children, whom are egged on by their parents or peers to do so, because it is in its self very disrespectful and could be seen has wrong teachings.
They are people of a developing country, with a war-torn past, lack of basic needs for many, education, medicals, skilled professionals, basic overall structure in many areas, people are extorted by each other on a daily basis, the divide between the rich and poor seems to grow daily, even more so now there's the new investor's interests in the country.
It depends on what you perceive yourself and define from the rich and poor, extreme rich and impoverish poor. The one's who have and the ones who do not. But there are even poor defined people who are so called farmers (smallholders) maybe a better understanding of the people, living day to day, with what they can grow or catch to eat. Even here there are so many variables, 1. They may have their own land, but no papers. 2. The land maybe unworkable due to mines (UXO's). On the other hand, the families may rely on other members of the family working elsewhere and sending money home. Some may have also made a pretty dollar out of investors; others will have suffered from land grabbers no doubt.
I have lived in several places in Cambodia, all areas have been by choice, where I am now was not such by that choice but necessary for my partner's wellbeing, having what I thought, hospitals with trained and capable staff at hand. That once again is open for what is reality and plain lies. Again, it makes me wonder if a family member fall's ill how they raise the money to have the family member treated in the inappropriate care and lack of quality facilities, and also the underqualified staff whom they are paying in hope of that family member will be returning home cured. The high up or rich will not go to hospitals of their own if it can be avoided, but seek medical attention out of the country.
I could go on and on, but you all have your own opinions of the situation of Cambodia and that of its people. But remember no matter what you think we are that of only paying guests of a country we wish to enjoy and live.
Always "hope" but never "expect".
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Re: Negativity towards expats
I get called this a lot too, both when being addressed and referred to. When my wife started doing it too, I asked her, "Why are you calling me that when you definitely remember my name?" She replied that she thought I would like it and it was complimentary.John Bingham wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:31 pm As for being addressed by locals, my neighbor's all call me Papa + (my kid's name).
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Re: Negativity towards expats
Right, you're clearly separate because you live in a small village and your Khmer is pretty decent? Barang is a very useful word for me, distinguishing between general Western culture and American/Australian/British etc. Perhaps there is something to be learned from the kid on the bicycle, anyway. Many Khmer have told me that the meaning of "barang" is not just "French" any more, it also means "Westerner". And I will leave it up to them to define their own language.
Re: Negativity towards expats
What do they call the chinese?
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Re: Negativity towards expats
Silence, exile, and cunning.
Re: Negativity towards expats
Achoy mey Chen. (It’s not a nice thing to say by the way)
People of the world, spice up your life.
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Re: Negativity towards expats
Funnily enough (or not) this is the same in Arab countries. Abu means 'father of', and married men are referred to as 'father of' their eldest son. LIke a guy named Abdul Al Aujan whose son was Khalid would be called Abu Khalid Al Aujan.Freightdog wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:41 pmThis seems to be quite consistent with how we’ve integrated, or not. We (those Caucasian expats) will likely always be barang, (which I don’t take to be in any way dismissive or derisive as a term.). What matters is whether we’re part of the community, and that’s largely down to us, isn’t it?John Bingham wrote: ↑Mon Feb 14, 2022 4:31 pm As for being addressed by locals, my neighbor's all call me Papa + (my kid's name).
Another small point, that most of you know, is that there is no 'f' sound in khmer language. When the French were colonial masters here, the locals pronounced the word French as paren or baren, the 'ch' sound at the end being a bit hard for their lazy tongues. This over time developed into berang / barang. Not a lot of people know that. Try getting a non-English speaking khmer to say 'fish'. It will probably come out as pish, or just pi'.
"I tried being reasonable. Didn't like it" (Clint Eastwood)
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