Born-Confused wrote:

Soi Dog wrote:

OrangeDragon wrote: Take me for example. Politics here impact me, my life, my business, my family life, my extended family, etc. I have more than a visitors worth of vested interest in the success and growth of this country.

Yeah but most posters have much less at stake here than you, and therefore don't feel the need or purpose to get too involved in local politics. I can't imagine locals anywhere appreciating foreigners getting involved in their politics. The locals might tolerate anyone who agrees with their own personal views voicing an opinion, but God help you if cross the line and take a position contrary to theirs. Could get quite ugly for you.

I think that's the key - get involved at an arms length. I tried to show an interest in my former Khmer staffs' attitudes and ideals toward politics, and most if not all (and these were a very educated lot) were very coy about giving straight answers, and even told me to be very careful with what I say, not for fear for them, but for any eavesdroppers. I'm not paranoid, so didn't bother me, but it did bother them!

nightmare.believer wrote: And there is not a single thing you can do about the political situation, and talking about it can only hurt you.

OrangeDragon wrote:

nightmare.believer wrote: And there is not a single thing you can do about the political situation, and talking about it can only hurt you.

I disagree. Talking about it can influence others, others who DO have the ability to take direct/indirect action.

nightmare.believer wrote:

StroppyChops wrote:^ just a little Orwellian don't you think, NB?

Not for SE Asia.

Born-Confused wrote:

nightmare.believer wrote: Is your avatar Jurgen Klinsmann? That's just plain weird, man.

Show some respect man - don't you know anything about the greatest Prime Minister Australia has ever had???
Let me help edumacate you

Born-Confused wrote:

nightmare.believer wrote: Is your avatar Jurgen Klinsmann? That's just plain weird, man.

Show some respect man - don't you know anything about the greatest Prime Minister Australia has ever had???
Let me help edumacate you

Soi Dog wrote:

OrangeDragon wrote:

nightmare.believer wrote: And there is not a single thing you can do about the political situation, and talking about it can only hurt you.

I disagree. Talking about it can influence others, others who DO have the ability to take direct/indirect action.

As long as you keep in mind that some locals may take great offense at your political views, no matter how rationally and calmly you state those views, and such perceived offences can become explosively violent at the drop of a hat.

I have experienced this myself in Thailand. What I thought was a passing, inoffensive, calm, one minute conversation with an elderly Thai woman bus ticket vendor about red shirts/yellow shirts and the real meanings of democracy and monarchy quickly turned into a hasty retreat on my part, as she groped around her tiny shack for some sort of sharp object to impale me with while calling for the motodops outside to have a go at me.

I could be wrong. Maybe Khmers are not so touchy about such things? But I won't be too keen to find out.