The Age of LB Depression

[donnnnnny]

(ShockToe @ Feb. 03 2007,21:25) It seems a bit of a stretch to extrapolate one brief encounter with one individual, who was probably looking for a sympathy bar-fine at the end of the month, at one moment into some sort of theory or diagnosis? Without spending a lot (potentially hundereds of hours) time with an individual I believe it will be challenging to get to the root cause of any depression. Further, given the way these gals self-medicate their endocrinological systems to the boundries, I think it is impossible to determine the cause of their present emotional state? Tomorrow she could be happy as a clam.

I'm surprised so many consider the end LB prostitutes' career here in Thailand to be some sort of death sentence. It is also surprising to hear how much people think LB's dread a return to their home and family. IME, nothing could be farther from the truth. The family is the core of a person's identity here, and the only reliable support system, so a return is not a negative.

Applying western experiences and values here is usually a pointless exercise.

very well put sir

[Ladyboy_Loser!]

I second that thumbs up. A Westener trying to apply his logic system to the ways of a Thai Ladyboy is just out of his league. We are not Thai, we are Ladyboys, we are not Ladyboys in the pay for play system, we know fuck all about their value system. I have yet to see any solid and proven information about Ladyboys after they reach this mystical age where they go into a "state of depresssion."

[jadeite]

I've noticed a trend of negativism towards ziggy and don't share it as he seems to harvest a lot of very real observations. Ladboys their whole life want to look feminine; it is not an act they are putting on for us. Yet how many are left at 40 years old that haven't given up the dream of outwardly showing who they feel they are inside? The happy time is over (the time they were prettier and prettier) and they reach that time they have to accept the irreversible morphing to a middle aged, pudgy, balding man with an uncertain future. This is hell for them. Sure, in the end they can come to terms with aging and find a place where they are accepted, providing they live that long as a disturbing number die from unnatural causes. Anyone who underestimates what they go through when the most important thing in the world is wrenched away from them agonizingly day by day does not understand them as much as ziggy as far as I can tell. Have you ever noticed how often they look in the mirror?

[surropan]

Interesting you cite 26 as the age. In Japan, they have a saying equating women to "Christmas cake," meaning that it's still fresh and desirable on the 25th of December, but by the 26th it starts to go stale and nobody wants it anymore!

[Guest]

I've lived in Asia 14 years, and have lived with a 26 year old LB for 2 years, and I know several hundred other LBs, with about 25 very close friends. Almost all of them in this 25 range or so have told me this "What am I going to do story".

So I didn't cock this post up after 1 drunken encounter as you suggest.

Thai tradition is to cherish their parents, with the mother being first. This generally means giving them money; not necessarily being there. It is considered a way of getting positive karmic credits (in the Thai combination of pagan-Buddhist thought). For LBs, they seem to take this particularly seriously, as it is also a sub-conscious way of redeeming their pride in their parent's eyes.  Ironically, all of this often forces them into the city to work bars.

Once in the city, enjoying the pace of life, lots of LB friends, and getting taken to nice places, and having nice clothes is as aluring to them as any kid in any country. At 25 or so, they can see some of that possibly fading away. As late as last night, a 26 yr old LB friend visited me and told me this whole story; like many others have.

Going back to the farm, while theoretically satisfying towards the family "take care" obligation, becomes less than exciting in reality, once farm life digs in, with no money, no way to look beautiful anymore, and nothing to do. And so, you will often hear about LBs who say they are going home for months or a year, only to be back in the city after a few days or weeks.

But...I don't know nuttin', so best you ignore all this. I just made it up to jive you!

[SamplerDoc]

Hey SB or Others..
Post 15 is an AD
To post that here is