You say you’re not naïve, but you can’t even spell the word… I’m not sure if naïve fits or there is a more compelling synonym, but my good sir, the mere fact that you are in a room filled with people with masses more experience than you in a very specific arena and you are scolding them and rejecting their input, so certain that you know what is what… That is folly, youthful arrogance, and willful ignorance… Not naïveté , not by a longshot.

Pride goeth before a downfall and this is exactly what you are about to experience. She is no doubt playing to your pride and vanity, an arrogant man is an easy mark- I was young once 👀 😂

I am by no means, and I’m sure many here or not either, besmirching the Thai people (if I can use that word in this context?) 🤔 the fact of the matter is that you cannot in your wildest dreams, conceive the weight of being responsible for taking care of multiple generations of your family in a climate of extreme poverty. Within the context of the society structure, how could I look down upon them!? But you really need to get square with that and understand that yes, there can be genuine, lovely people, and ALSO they are under immense pressure. We think we understand, but we cannot. Simply cannot. No frame of reference.

You could marry a lovely woman who would be nice and kind and faithful all your life. This does not mean she is unclear that she needs to marry into means. What’s lucky for you? Is that even if you are low on the totem pole financially, in the UK you are still a man of means to her. No one here that I have noticed has said they only want you for your money. That demonizes them. This is not about morality, it’s about survival and a lack of options. She may like you well enough and marry you but the money makes all the difference in the world for them- they aren’t overlooking that- because they can’t. We all want happiness, and for each other but let’s not pretend there isn’t a huge power imbalance.

Some years back I married a UK citizen- I’m American- the process to get me situated there was truly a nightmare to the point he just moved to the US. We had to give up, it was just ridiculous, and I’m American, employed and with financial means and a US passport.

@Lindsey ******

no. You made a statement as though it was fact. It was also a statement that gave no information. You’re right, it’s not a game. People shouldn’t just blurt stuff out. As has been repeated multiple times, it’s not the easiest thing in the world to get a legitimate work visa in Thailand specifically, unless you are a credentialed teacher. You made it sound like if you have a TEFL you can get a work visa. That’s just not the case. You can be as snarky as you like. Knock yourself out. 👍🏼

I asked you to clarify, you did - it’s sort of over at that point?

@Lindsey ******

oh- that’s confusing because you made a statement as tho it was a fact. There is no visa for teaching English. There are work visas for teachers. That’s a bit different than what I understood you to say 🤷🏻‍♀️👍🏼

@Mma ******

I know how things work- I was asking Lindsey to explain. Not for me.

@Lindsey ******

maybe share some of that info to help them? I’m also curious.

Yep you’re every bit of 19 alright, there’s so many of us with lived experience which is why the group exists- to help sort and navigate and disseminate information- but you will say with your whole chest we are wrong. 😞 do you babes. What you learn will be very valuable to someone coming behind you.

Hopes, dreams and goals are of supreme importance, but being armed with information and the experience of those who have trod the path before you is invaluable.

Many of the people in this group have been in Thailand and Southeast Asia for many years, dating back to when you could just walk in and be western and make big bucks. That is not the case today, especially with some shifts that the Thai government is making currently. (Since Covid all SEA has buttoned up and is extremely exploitive of ‘teachers’. Your idea is sound but you’re at least eight years behind the curve of reality. I miss it too, but denial ain’t it.

Wish you all the best.

There are many many, ways to survive in the world, but you won’t get rich. I left dirt poor 10 years ago and have not had to return. You can do the same, but you will need to open your mind a bit and listen . It’s not as simple or direct as it may seem to you in this moment. The group exists to help people avoid tough lessons. There’s nothing like setting up house somewhere and having to leave. It sucks. We are just trying to help somebody else not go through that.

Also, please be mindful of your internal and external attitudes?

If you think you can just walk in and be a teacher that is sort of disrespecting people that have put in the work to become teachers. I’m not being mean, I am just suggesting that you pause and consider that point.

@Dave *********

I don’t understand the desire to be so simplistic and just slap labels on everything and then try to cement them. I’m not a left anything but I’d rather be whatever I am than what you are. You personifify the problem. 🙄 the first and last argument of the fool is ridicule. Boring.

Mexico has changed its policies and n the last two years to include more and more regulations- and why shouldn’t they. But you are woefully under informed and overly confident in what you think is your knowledge.

Also not for nothing, it will always be the old white man with a SEA woman on their arm who is the final authority and arbiter of all things in regard to SEA… or any discussion on any topic that may arise. He loves to snigger and try to humiliate and leave laugh emojis as evidence of his righteousness. Boring, predictable, inflated. Mediocre? Feel you’re not appreciated in your home country- move to SEA and be acknowledged and treated accordingly to your superiority. 🤮

We can say not all, but certainly well more than half - this is the landscape. Been out here a long time,

stereotypes are born from types that are a majority. Boohoo somewhere else wankers.