[Eromereorybig]

This strikes me as rather strange from where I sit. I do not see a lot of thoughtfulness in California, and those who are thinking the hardest about how to live their lives tend to be those pursuing "new age" (Eastern-inspired) philosophies. Perhaps we can say that everyone who is not questioning (or at least open to questioning) what they were raised to believe is going to be somewhat (unconsciously) insensitive to people from different cultures. It probably transcends "face" or "rationalism" or other cultural constructs and is just the way humans are wired. I'm not sure what opens an individual's eyes to this habit of thought, but if they are not even aware of it, for sure they are not going to change.

Just chill out a bit; don't let negative posters get you down. Just ignore and respond (even pm ) those that are constructive.

The book "Thailand Fever" might help. ( pm Richard Barrow)

I don't agree with all of it but it is a good read. Widen your experiences with different classes of Thai. Try to put your point of view in a diffeent way and try to see theirs as well. Discussions like this are difficult with Thais for reasons already mentioned. But keep in there.

Remember the Latin Nil Carborundum Illegitimum
" Don't let the bastards grind you down". There are some sensible helpful posters on here