Now it's my turn...

[trobriand]

(kahuna @ Nov. 07 2009,23:40)

(trobriand @ Nov. 07 2009,22:41) Actually there are plenty of people in the west who think in just the same way, you may just have been fortunate enough not to meet them.

I'm not referring to a conscious cognitive process (thinking)...I am referring to a societies' construction of reality...

Hmmm at risk of sounding a bit esoteric, wouldn't how someone perceives and thinks be the basis of how they structure their reality?

and taking it a bit further, every individuals thinking and personal reality when grouped taken as a whole goes together to make up a societies' construction of reality... or collective consciousness.

The reality of a specific situation will be different for different people depending on how they approach that reality.

an analogy: if you are looking through green tinted glasses you might see a green tint on everything - looking through red tinted glasses you might perceive your reality as being red tinted.

I would say what people think has quite a bit to do with both personal and collective reality.

[DexterH]

Thick81's post No 88 is the most intelligent response to two people slagging each other off in public and not doing themselves any favours -a key point from his post must be why do two people want marriage? The fact that both parties [Thick81 and Miss X] wanted to 'play away' and be honest about it meant they did not 'marry' with all those potential/actual problems, and if we do consider marriage to be serious then I just don't understand why Chompoo and Helmet bothered, surely better to live with someone for a few years before making that kind of decision?

[strocube]

(f0xxee @ Nov. 08 2009,10:50) "...discussion on cognition and the social construction of reality"

I am agog (yes agog!) to find out WTF that actually means.

Cognition is simply thinking.
The social construction of reality is just the idea that there is no reality that is the same for everyone all the time. Reality is different for individuals. Also societies, or subgroups with societies share certain elements that define their respective realities.
This sounds far more complicated than it actually is. Dude, just imagine a Utah Mormon reality, or a Catholic reality, or a poor Thai ladyboy reality and you begin to get the idea.

[kahuna]

(trobriand @ Nov. 08 2009,12:29) Hmmm at risk of sounding a bit esoteric, wouldn't how someone perceives and thinks be the basis of how they structure their reality?

and taking it a bit further, every individuals thinking and personal reality when grouped taken as a whole goes together to make up a societies' construction of reality... or collective consciousness.

The reality of a specific situation will be different for different people depending on how they approach that reality.

an analogy:  if you are looking through green tinted glasses you might see a green tint on everything - looking through red tinted glasses you might perceive your reality as being red tinted.

I would say what people think has quite a bit to do with both personal and collective reality.

As I posted earlier I shouldn't have raised the concept and now I'm truly sorry that I did...But I'll add this...

What you say is essentially correct except, when we are born into a social system we don't get to select the color of the glasses...Society does...

With that in mind, honestly answer this...Can you think without language?

All I was saying is...and trust me there is nothing intellectual or pseudo intellectual about any of this...I am not an intellectual...The behavior of Thais...
more specifically, the behavior of Thai bar girls, is institutionalized...and I truly don't believe that they believe that they are behaving in an improper way
or contrary to their belief and social system...

Their everyday behavior is based on their conception of what reality is...and that concept is part and parcel of the institutionalized web of their society
as a whole...Moreover, their every day reality should always be held separate and distinct from other institutions such as their belief system...In other words,
in my opinion, Buddha don't make no difference...

I'm certain foxxee will have some new inventive name to call me now...

[Lefty]

(Ericthehalfabee @ Nov. 07 2009,21:00) Good thing you're so clever and tough that you managed not to get scammed by a teenager for the value of what amounts to a monthly Starbucks bill.

The fact that you have to brag about it however...

I'm not clever, and am certainly not bragging Ewic. I got lucky. I think anyone with more than half a brain could determine that from reading my post.

I don't know what a monthly Starbucks bill amounts to, since I've been to one about 2 times in my life. However if your bill there is that high, then I'd say your seriously addicted to coffee or whatever else they sell there. BTW, I never mentioned any specific money amounts now did I? So how would you know what amounts I was talking about anyway?
It sounds to me like you just want to be a cocky and arrogant jerk by even saying anything.

[Lefty]

(kahuna @ Nov. 08 2009,08:08)

(f0xxee @ Nov. 08 2009,06:30)

(kahuna @ Nov. 07 2009,22:02)

(Lefty @ Nov. 07 2009,20:51) Being poor is no excuse for being dishonest.

There is an enormous cultural chasm between east and west...She is only being dishonest in your mind...not hers...

Kahuna:

What absolute fucking bollocks!

See below: the 5 precepts of Buddhism:

Clearly you didn't understand a word I wrote...

But this certainly isn't the place nor the audience to have a discussion on cognition and the social construction of reality...

I'll take it up with my good friend Lefty over a few beers when I see him next week...He might not agree with me, but I'm certain he will understand...

Albeit my post was terse...For that I apologize...But your post is a typical uneducated reply...

Kahuna,
Love ya bro, but in this exchange between and Foxee, he is rockin' and you shouldn't bother knockin'...what he said.

It's pretty simple. You said to me that she wasn't being dishonest in her mind.
Foxee posted the 5 precepts of Buddhism. #4 pretty much covers it. A lie is a lie no matter what part of the world you come from. They or you can attempt to rationalize the use of the lies anyway ya want. Still, it's a lie and a violation of precept #4...even with the cultural chasm between east and west.

[f0xxee]

(strocube @ Nov. 08 2009,13:09)

(f0xxee @ Nov. 08 2009,10:50) "...discussion on cognition and the social construction of reality"

I am agog (yes agog!) to find out WTF that actually means.

Cognition is simply thinking.
The social construction of reality is just the idea that there is no reality that is the same for everyone all the time. Reality is different for individuals. Also societies, or subgroups with societies share certain elements that define their respective realities.
This sounds far more complicated than it actually is. Dude, just imagine a Utah Mormon reality, or a Catholic reality, or a poor Thai ladyboy reality and you begin to get the idea.

Thanks Strocube... now I got it!

[f0xxee]

(kahuna @ Nov. 08 2009,13:30) I'm certain foxxee will have some new inventive name to call me now...

Kahuna:

Thanks for the kind offer sir,

But I limit myself to one inventive name a day, its a gulity pleasure.

And.... Um er.... Sorry. Wank splash was a bit harsh.

Lefty: Thank you. I thought I was losing my mind for a minute. (found it! It was under my hard drive labled "wanking matter")

[Lefty]

(JaiDee @ Nov. 08 2009,10:10)       My pal Lefty, who I haven't seen in years but is still a friend, says this is all BS and that poverty should never lead to dishonesty; but let me ask a hypothetical again.... say you find out your cash will run dry in 6 months; no more pension, no bank accounts, nothing. You have 2 options; go back to america and work some low-wage blue-collar job you hate just to survive and be poor, OR; some older Thai lady offers you to stay in her Jomtien villa free of charge and support you if you screw her now and again and you can continue living the life you enjoy now.  Which would you choose? Be honest; and if it's option  B then you are no different from the LB's we are talking about.

 

I don't agree. If I were honest with the older Thai lady, I'd not be the same as any lb who may lie to gain a financial advantage over some lovestruck, addle brained farang.

You never said the Thai lady made any restrictions on me butterflying from time to time and I could continue doing what I am doing now.

So I am pretty sure, being the honest guy that I am, I'd live in the older lady's place with her and not pull any con jobs or even attempt to.

BUT...IF.... I had to lie to stay here, or if I had to bring misery to ANYONE else, financially or otherwise, to remain living in Thailand, I would leave tomorrow!!!

Even if it meant going back to setting chokers, (try make a living doing that pussies, ), pumping gas or being a Walmart Greeter (horror of horrors)

That my friend is an F-A-C-T....FACT.

[pacman]

(f0xxee @ Nov. 08 2009,10:03) ... then don't calling a person uneducated in what had been a healthy debate you fucking wank-splash....

Oh dear....    

Foxxee, you dumb clod...      you can't go around insulting someone as educated as Kahuna when you failed 2nd grade...        

Kahuna is the wise man of the forum, he is high brow versus your low brow...

...he is an educated man of letters....

you know those letters....     W.A.N.K.E.R.        

[TTChang]

(Rose Apple @ Nov. 06 2009,19:45) My name is Chompoo.  In Thai language, mean Rose Apple

Ah, just reminding myself where this thread started.   Hope Chompoo understands what's being posted, because I don't.   I do understand Foxee's contributions though  .... maybe I'm uneducated too ....    

With many people I've come across in life, honesty can be a moveable feast.  Generally they are, but put them under financial / emotional stress and it can be a different story. Or when they feel they can justify their actions in some way.  Perhaps the same in Buddhism, if one priority (say supporting family) takes precedence over another (not obtaining money by deception), then all is well and merit can be made.   Or not.

Remember falangs=buffalos.  Act as if an educated buffalo (Foxee!   )      OK, I'm rambling again ....  

[f0xxee]

Come on Paccie... I didn't fail 2nd grade... I just liked it so much I decided to hang about for seconds.

Me low brow? Heheheheh. I thought it was a moustache... apparently it is my monobrow working its way down my face.

Good to see you come up for air Boyo. I was worried the cockroaches were holding you prisoner.

See you soon mate....

[f0xxee]

(TTChang @ Nov. 08 2009,16:46)

(Rose Apple @ Nov. 06 2009,19:45) My name is Chompoo.  In Thai language, mean Rose Apple

Ah, just reminding myself where this thread started.   Hope Chompoo understands what's being posted, because I don't.   I do understand Foxee's contributions though  .... maybe I'm uneducated too ....    


Remember falangs=buffalos.  Act as if an educated buffalo (Foxee!   )      OK, I'm rambling again ....  

Cheers Anh Chang,

You understand me? Jesus. Better we drink soon. ( Me and Mrs Foxxee will be doing a quick visit to Guess in the near future when we go up to the big smoke to pick up my mother (god help me) who is coming to stay.....So lets catch up. Or if you are ever in HH.......

Yeah I am a Buffalo at times. But then again so was Fred Flintstone and I got my first woody looking at Wilma so its not all bad!

[Naang Faa]

(Lefty @ Nov. 08 2009,08:33) I'd not be the same as any lb who may lie to gain a financial advantage over some lovestruck, addle brained farang.

That's rich coming from a guy who flies
across the globe to exploit the cheap cost of living,
Then won't pay more than 500 baht for a ladyboy
taking advantage of their financial desperation for
nothing more than your own sexual gratification..
You are no better than the scammers lefty
You maybe upfront about your intentions but you are
exploiting a situation for what you want same as the girls.

x

[Ericthehalfabee]

C'mon now - at least he gets to tell us all how he keeps from getting ripped off by those sneaky teenagers for the euivalent of a McDonalds Happy Meal.