Silliest things you did to save the smallest amount of baht?

10000 baht payed for an insane day that started around nine in the morning with friends on the beach. And by the way that included the two beautiful girls I took home around eight after which the party continued until after four. wonderful!

Absolutely, #37 & #40.

My cheapskate obsession was with a pair of gym socks I had. I wore those things while trekking up north of Chiang Mai, and also across Sumatra. They were mud-caked and burr-filled and holey. I spent a lot of time pulling out the burrs and hand-washing them in Lake Toba and other water sources. Sheesh, how much would a new pair of cotton socks cost in Asia?

I know that this posting is suppose to be humorous. but I can't help thinking how a lot of poor people would think about your posting.

..here they are - just trying to make ends meet. ...those 2 baht really adds up - when you don't have it.

and then, you make light of their financial situation.

..to poor people, you are bragging.

maybe that's way so many poor people don't think very highly of foreigners. ..throwing their money around like big shots.

I remember once seeing a tourist pay a 500 baht tip for a 240 baht 2 hour thai massage. ..I am sure he was just being generous. but get this, the masseuse looked at it as a gesture telling her how "low" she was. later, she would always expect a big tip from foreigners, and if a foreigner didn't pay up, she would get mad. on the other side of the coin, the foreigner started bitching about how badly he was getting treated even when he was paying a big tip. hehehe.

..different perspectives.

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>..here they are - just trying to make ends meet.<hr></blockquote>
Well, in the incidents I was referring to those who might claim a loss where the proud owner of a huge Mercedes Pullmann, the shipping company of a corrupt government, the railway company of same corrupt government, the wealthy Greek owner of more than one hostel in an african capital, and the shareholders of Hilton, Sofitel, and so on.
No reason for tears ;-)

<blockquote>Quote
<hr>but I can't help thinking how a lot of poor people would think about your posting<hr></blockquote>
Believe it or not, even very poor people have a good sense of humor :-)

Cheers,

Henning

PS:
Unfortunately I have also done behavioural mistakes to the disadvantage of less wealthy people :-( But for sure not on purpose! And, off course, I am probably still not aware of most of them :-(

> I am sure he was just being generous. but get this, the masseuse looked at it as
> a gesture telling her how "low" she was.

Somehow I think receiving 500 baht outweighed any other feeling. :) I personally don't really believe in 'spoiling the market'. If someone gets a nice break then good for her. Means less need for me to tip as others are making sure she's making good money. :)

Cheers,
Chanchao

It's all very well economising, but please remember that the vast majority of Thai's are not out to rip you off, they are just trying to make an honest living - on wages that could never afford 3 month holiday's to exotic places

People will get grumpy over that 10 baht they 'wasted' on a meal or got ripped off on, but will happily spend 1,000 baht on a night out.

Keep things in perspective.

Hey, thanks for reviving this discussion...! Blast from the past... :)

I recall walking all over Cairo looking a cold Pepsi at the price I had paid the year before. They had gone up about .5 cents US and I wasn't about to let them get to me like that. LOL

Back in 86 or so, I was able to get plain Roti for 2 baht. I walked away from several places that sold them for 3 baht even thought I had to walk several blocks to find one for 2.

Getting mad at someone that tried to charge me 15 baht for a Pad Thai. I just thought everyone charged 10.

I'm with you on this crabfeet#19. I honestly don't know how some people can look in the mirror.

Behind the polite smile, its no wonder that many Thai's dislike the farang.