cookie_studio – Freepik
Yesterday was Friday, so I went for my massage with Wey-o. Mostly, it was the exquisite massage I’m getting used to – but NEVER taking for granted.
About 2/3 of the time in, a man came in the door of the small, quiet shop, asking in a loud voice if he could get a massage. No, he didn’t want an appointment. He wanted it NOW. A foot massage.
How did I know all this? Wey-o and I were in the cubicle at the far corner of the shop, but there are only curtains between the cubicles and it is assumed people entering will be quiet and respectful. This man obviously didn’t care about anyone but himself. He had to be asked to take his shoes off, when there is a sign and a rack of slippers right at the front of the shop.
The masseuse told him the cost and he started grousing. “The man he had talked to last week had told him 50 baht. She had told him 70. ‘Wellllllll, allllll right!!!!!!!'”
The other lady in the shop agreed to do his foot massage ‘now.’ As it started and continued, he kept up a running commentary on the massage, why he needed it, the fact that he was going for a pedicure across the street when she finished. When she didn’t reply, he said it again, louder, 4 times! He asked if the shop was open every day…
At this point, Wey-o was turning me over on my back. I pointed out to where he was, mimicked a duck quacking with my hand in front of my mouth, put my hands to my ears and shut my eyes. We grinned at each other. She doesn’t speak English and I don’t speak Thai, but no translation is needed when someone is being the epitome of the “Ugly American.”
He got on his phone in the middle of the massage, talking to someone named Mark!
I came out when I had dressed from my massage. I drank my tea and turned to bow and thank Wey-o for a beautiful massage (only managing a probably badly accented, “cawp coon kah!” (thank you.) The other lady stopped the massage, stuck her head out of the curtain and we repeated the thank you and bow and the confirmation for next Friday.
This man embarrassed me. I thought about confronting him, but decided it was probably a waste of breath. If he was boorish enough to ACT that way, my quiet words would have no effect. I’m sorry that he makes it worse for all other Americans or other foreigners, making Thai people cringe at “having to put up with rude foreigners” in order to make a living.
creativeartworksblog 
Ugh. Yes, what an ugly American indeed!
I’m glad you rose above it though, Linda. And I hope you still enjoyed your massage anyway. I saw a great meme on the topic the other day that fits here.
“People are giving the Energy they are carrying.” I am going to try to remember that so I don’t take things personally. But in this case, he was being disruptive, so it becomes a mantra we could use, said to ourselves, to simply do what you did and walk away without “poking the bear” so to speak.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I was embarrassed. What he did was obtuse, insensitive, self-important and obnoxious. If he would walk in and disrespect the ladies in the shop, my dressing him down would only have caused more disruption. I decided he would carry that attitude wherever he goes and hopefully would pay the price eventually. Unfortunately, a lot of good people will probably have to pay the price for his rudeness, as well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes, indeed. A lot of people are bothered by that type of behavior. I learned long ago that hurt people, hurt people. But the Buddhist way is to detach from it so we don’t suffer. Which to me, is why you walked away. As well, you probably know, as do I, we (the greater We), can’t change anyone.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Brian shares a lot of the Buddhist philosophy with me. It is one of the ways he is able to stay so calm. So much wisdom.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I love that, Linda. I just wish I had known one could be a Christian AND a Buddhist years ago.
LikeLike
Me, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a rude guy! I’d be embarrassed too. He’s probably like that everywhere he goes, 😠I’d hate to be a member of his family. I love that you and Wey-o were able to share your feelings even without knowing each other’s languages. To me, that’s what communication is all about!😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
There is no way we can really make up for behavior that leaves a lasting impression like that. All we can try to do is show them with our words or actions that MOST Americans are not like that…
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yep!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ohh… Yes, what an ugly American indeed!I’m glad you rose above it though, Linda. And I hope you still enjoyed your massage anyway. Wey-o were able to share your feelings even without knowing each other’s languages.
LikeLike
Yes, I enjoyed my massage, but I was embarrassed that the man acted so badly.
LikeLike
Thanks! What have acted did the man.
LikeLike
I don’t know
LikeLike