I asked the sales boy in the market, the flirty one I had used my gaydar on, if he would like to join me at my hotel for a cup of tea, biscuits and a discussion about the state of the world.
The boy was flattered and happy that I had asked, but nervous and shy too. He promptly informed about 25 of his nearest friends and relatives about my offer. I am not exaggerating this number. He told men and women, young and old. The oldest guy looked to be about 80. He had a white prophet beard. Maybe that was grandpa.
I sat down a few metres away while the boy, his relatives and his friends discussed the matter. I could see his friends encouraging him.
During the discussion among the clan members I heard the boy mention the name of my hotel. Who had told him that? I had not.
A pattern developed. The men smiled and gave me knowing nods. But some of the females, in particular the younger ones, gave me sullen stares. One girl, a pretty Philippina wearing makeup and nice clothes, waved her arms at me and said I should go away. She gave me a whole speech which I didn’t understand and which I ignored anyway. Nobody else paid her any attention either.
How strange. In the West females are usually more tolerant of gay things than straight men are. Here it was the opposite.
I don’t think the Philippina girl’s anger had anything to do with moral outrage. I suspect she was jealous. I had a feeling she were for rent. Why else would she be so dolled up? She was like the suspiciously pretty women who sell fruit outside the train station in Bangkok. Everyone knows that isn’t their real trade.
Here comes the foreigner with the fat wallet and he fancies her brother (or cousin or whatever) instead of her. No wonder she was grumpy. Like that other annoying woman on the street this Philippina seemed to take my gayness as an insult to women.
My candidate for tea and biscuits hesitated. I could see he was tempted, and he kept staring at me as if my true nature would be revealed if he did it long enough, but in the end he said no. Instead he presented me with a stand-in.
The stand-in was younger, straight, not too clean and not my type. He took to following me around with an expectant smile. It was another case of asking for pizza and getting hamburgers. I told him I wasn’t interested.
When I left the market I saw my original candidate look at me thoughtfully. It seemed he would have liked to come along if only he had dared.
Oh well. I guess I will have to find someone else to give me his views on the state of the world.
Tags: Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, Sandakan
August 1st, 2007 at 12:26 pm
It’s sad these boys don’t appreciate your kind heart and good nature. Not to mention undoubted charm. I hope you can be strong in the face of life’s disappointments.
August 1st, 2007 at 2:22 pm
They don’t know what they are missing.
August 1st, 2007 at 6:18 pm
Your exploits in the interests of research are most admirable. No doubt one day a fish will bite.
I just hope it’s before you have to leave!
August 1st, 2007 at 9:36 pm
So perhaps you conclude (as I did) that leaving Thailand to go looking for gay sex in Malaysia will get you nothing but a handsome bill for the airfare!
August 1st, 2007 at 9:53 pm
All was not bleak. At least I am quite sure I could have scored with those three Taliban guys.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:01 pm
That’s pretty bleak! :-0
August 1st, 2007 at 10:05 pm
Truthfully, I think it was the tea, biscuits, and request for a discussion on world affairs that probably limits your success rate!
That look they have in their face is one of, “…why couldn’t he just want sex like all the others?”
Its the request for conversation in English that leaves them feeling that they cannot accept your offer…
August 1st, 2007 at 10:12 pm
If your airfare and other expenses were as low as $600, that would amount to over 20,000 baht.
And a fella can have a pretty good time in Bangkok with 20,000 baht!
August 2nd, 2007 at 3:19 am
Of course, every farang visiting or living in any asian country carefully calculates the relative economies of scale when deciding to “date” one of the natives. It’s all about the economics. Has nothing to do with any other urges or the sight, smell, touch of any other person. Of course.
–Former Farang
August 4th, 2007 at 12:27 am
SF, my friend, I think we need a little bit of moderation on the comment section…personally I would prefer to read longer posts (and the novel of course) and of course I am waiting until you are back in form hehehe…did not mean you ever lost it…post more details on what Charlem is doing these days…he seems to be fading out slowly
Most important question…when is it good weather to visit Bangkok? Me and mine are planning to come over for a few days soon…he wants to shop, eat…I want to take pics…if you can believe that…
August 4th, 2007 at 10:08 am
I deleted the political discussion that evolved in this thread. Sorry, but politics takes this blog in a direction I don’t want it to go.
March 7th, 2008 at 10:28 am
just read this blog… I must say that im from the Philippines.
most filipina are moralist but some are those “GAY WOMEN” who understand and respect gays and lesbian.. you cant please everybody in this world. as long as youre not stepping on their shoes, why care.