Take your screaming kids out of my coffee shop
In the sixties in German union were fighting for the right of a weekend-off from work. The slogan was "On weekends Daddy belongs to me". This is something like a unwritten law, still. Because Daddy has a stressful and exhausting work week, it is only the weekend when he can spend some time with the kids.
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Be aware of the Expat virus
Expat like to talk and sometimes complain about expats. That's one of the rules I was told when I arrived nearly 4 years ago in Cambodia. Neither me nor my wife are well connected to the Expat community. We usually have more local friends. One reason is that we actually left Germany forever, so no reason to look for western communities since we decided to live in Asia.
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Your Next Bank Account is Boarding
Are you the sort of person who likes to hang out in airport departure lounges, checking out the flash-packers and seasoned business travellers? Who takes quiet delight in listening to a robotic female voice announce flights to somehow numerical destinations? Whilst idling in marbled halls attentive to the quiet buzz of purposeful activity? Then open a bank account at Campu!
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Buying a car and number plates in Laos
When you arrive as an expat in Laos, the first thing you want to have is transportation. Beside the golfcarts, which are actually public buses, there is no public transportation in Laos, and Tuktuks are too expensive for a daily commute.
So you want to buy a car. You may find some advertisements at Phimphone or Simuang supermarket. Due to high tax cars are expensive, even if they are 12 years old, so expect to pay from US$3,000 up.
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Calling all women!
As with many things in Cambodia, things are not always as they appear.
That was the case, for me, with WIG (the Women's International Group) which I stumbled upon from a link on the ExpatWomen website while searching for places to meet other women when I arrived in town.
At first glance, it seemed to be a social group of ladies who lunch (or play bridge or tennis or mahjong). But, after attending an introductory event and meeting some of the members, I learned more about the basis of the group.
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No lights on Cambodia
As many new drivers discover the hard way, especially foreign drivers, it is illegal in Cambodia to drive with headlights on during the day.* While in many countries governments are encouraging, even mandating that drivers and especially motorcyclists use headlights during the day for greater visibility to other drivers, here in Cambodia it is a privilege reserved for high government officials only. And for some reason the police have taken this law to heart.
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Meet Charisma Man
An average Joe Ruelle moves to Vietnam and is suddenly a casanova. Or so the story goes...
My sister, who lives in Tokyo, once sent me a copy of Charisma Man the compilation. For the uninitiated, Charisma Man was a comic book anti-hero popular with western expats in Japan.
“Back on his home planet of Canada”, the opening strip begins, “Our hero was just an average guy.” This means loser.
“But when he landed on planet Japan…” — well you can see for yourself.
Annoying words and phrases heard in Cambodia
Farang - 'Farang' is not a word general to Southeast Asia. It is a Thai word. Southeast Asia contains many countries, Thailand is but one of those countries, and each country has its own language. If you are going to use local lingo, use the lingo local to the country you are in. You're not in Pattaya anymore. In Cambodia, foreigners are 'barang.'
The Bodge - Duuuude, as cool as 'The Bodge' may seem rolling off the tongue, it just makes you sound like a pretentious wanker, much like that earring makes you look.
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How to Handle a Traffic Accident
Even to the experienced, driving in Cambodia can be a harrowing ordeal. Crazy teenagers on motos, horsecarts blocking the road, wandering cows, and bullying Lexus drivers… Drive here long enough, and sooner or later you’re going to have an accident.
My neighbour's wedding is killing me
I am cranky. I have had to get up at 6am for the last 2 days. My neighbour has a wedding.
In Cambodia weddings last for three days and start at 6am. Last night, the first day, celebrations lasted until 12:30am. It resumed at 6am today.
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