culture shock

HIPPOLYTE

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Last week Jack got some much-needed exercise while negotiating Bangkok traffic en route to a rendezvous with Hippolyte Lafleur, a.k.a. Izzy Scoop.

Some previous editions

Selections from Arno Petty’s Intelligencer and Weekly Gleaner

  • FORGE ON. Could it be that the girls at Lots O’ Hots are buying their VD certificates from the same place Big Sammy Soo was getting his money printed? That would be nothing but a vicious rumor, were it not for the epidemic proportion of the complaints
… Read more

ONE WAY TO CURE A HANGOVER

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Last week Jack returned home after having his best pipe and his typewriter all shot up, and drank too much with some of Mu’s relatives, bisnet associates and assorted hangers-on.  This week he cures his hangover en route to Shaky Jake’s in search of expert advice regarding his current situation. 

DK Books 2nd ed.

Selections from Arno Petty’s Intelligencer and Weekly Gleaner

  • NO PROBLEM. Speaking less oracularly than is his wont, an elder statesman has said that Thais have no
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HOME SWEET HOME

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Last week we met Mu and learned the key to her libido. This week we meet all of her household, including a distinctive rhythm section and Mu’s sister, Bia.

Current edition

Selections from Arno Petty’s Intelligencer and Weekly Gleaner

  • ALL FOR ONE, AND ONE FOR ALL. Western men have been known to misconstrue what is happening when they marry a Thai lady. Suddenly, as often as not, they discover that there are two cousins from upcountry who need a place
… Read more

KEY TO MU’S LIBIDO

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This week we meet Mu, Jack Shackaway’s love interest and chief cultural critic.

Previous editions

Selections from Arno Petty’s Intelligencer and Weekly Gleaner

  • TAKE IT EASY. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Bangkok, do pretty much whatever you want; but remember that certain institutions—notably the Royal Family, the Buddhist sangha, and the military—are above criticism. Remember also to respect the strictures concerning pointing feet, touching others on the head, etc. Any good guidebook will give
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Rocks and hard places

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In an earlier post I promised to expand on a recent incident where I pulled the pin on a conversational grenade. Yeah, and then I dropped that word ‘niggardly’ right into the middle of a chat.

I’ll begin by saying that to label a certain world leader a corrupt and ignorant buffoon is merely to call a spade a spade. Or so some might claim. 

But am I indeed allowed to do that these days? Can I call a spade … Read more

Learning to walk (again)

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Back in the day, I was the fastest pedestrian in Bangkok. If someone passed me on the pavement, I assumed they were either from Korea or else on the run from the police.

But these days I get schoolgirls in bobby sox and buckle shoes  zipping past me while drowned in their smartphones. This suggests three hypotheses:

 

1. I’m slowing with age.

2. A younger generation of Thais are walking faster.

3. I’ve learned to live more in the … Read more