[ashleyjoseph]

- how has living in Thailand changed you as a person? your priorities, your thinking?

I think it changed me mostly because it was the first time I was away from home for such a long time. But Thailand specifically changed how I see other people: I think I respect them more, and am more aware of the 'face' concept, even though I'm not there anymore. And it showed me how hard people can work, e.g. Issaan farmers not going to school and working hard at home. It made me more grateful for what I have here.

- what is still very farang in your thinking or behaviour?

I talk very directly about things, at least with my friends. And if I did that in Thailand, that would create a huge mess with other people losing face...

- what is Thai in you?

My appreciation of good food. When I came back from Thailand, I never went anywhere without taking food with me! Actually I still do that!

- what are the things you wish you could adopt, but you can't?

A more relaxed view of things, more "maipenrai" and less hectic and stressed farang view of the world.

- what are the things you don't want to adopt, and you are determined to keep your farang ways?

Even though I appreciate and respect the face concept, and am very much aware of it most of the time, I still need "direct" conversations with my friends, without taboo topics. I had difficulties talking about my feelings when I was in Thailand, and the people I asked said they never did because it was too personal. That made me feel a bit isolated sometimes.
Plus I like to say I am very open towards new things, new adventures, food, lifestyles, etc. While I think many Thai people are not happy when things don't go the Thai way. I don't want to generalise too much, but I've seen that more in Thai people than I see it in Swiss people.