One has to do with Index Living Mall selling furniture made from artificial leather that’s subsub-quality, the other one with a consumer electronics giant.

In both cases I have something to fix – hardly used, already repaired (!) chairs that break apart, and a brand new camera.

Took a shortcut in both cases: “Kidnapped” a show-chair at Index and told them better quickly and properly repair the ones returned or the kidnapped chair is considered mine. Security didn’t dare to stop me.

For the camera they gave me a loaner – but a much more expensive one. Well the loaner’s used. Nevertheless a great combo with the lens I have.

If the brand new camera that has obvious shortcomings won’t be replaced, well, I dare to keep the loaner.

Sometimes, as a consumer, you’re forced to threaten around here. There’s no other way to get things done.

BangkokDan

ThaiCrisis: I’m fully aware of my rude imperialist behavior and that it doesn’t do me much good.

Point is, that sacrosanct culture of politeness, krieng jai and smile-at-whatever-cost is an outlived cliché that serves mainly the phu yai.

Ever seen Thai women shouting, swearing and screaming? At a market? It’s a very Thai thing, but is not found in the glossy “rules of etiquette” the tourism authorities print for foreigners.

Thailand’s failed education system ranges in the very same field.

Says the elite: Keep them down and may your privileges last forever.

This system of not having to be responsible for the quality of goods you’re selling allows that anything goes.

You may have a point that a certain americanization of trade changes the old feudal ways. But slowly. Very slowly.

BangkokDan

Indeed, the Honda-Petite-Lady was famous. All the press was after her story. She did good. Very good.

As for the customer service, I think it’s not natural because… it’s simply not natural (cultural would be better) for thais … to complain in public. Ask for something. To be impolite. To show feelings etc.

The whole nine yards.

Good old buddhism atavism if I may say … Plus a few hundred years of slavery and feudal system… Okay, okay I go too far.

However, I agree, it changes. The americanization of trade between supplier/customer is on its way.

But it’s going to be long…

As for us… westerners, perfect outsiders … if you think about it … there are many situations where you can be a real winner if you do exactly the contrary of the text book (don’t shout, don’t blablabla).

Because the Thais just don’t dare, if you dare, you have already won. The resistance of the other party collapses.

This is what you did for your water pump.

However, let’s be honest … there are many other situations where this anti-Thai behavior will create the exact reverse effect.