And the Award for Nastiest Backpacker Goes To....

Warning: Random Ramblings....feel free to skip ahead if you wish to continue reading about my time in Thailand

The travelers I have met during my times abroad have been an eclectic mix of people. But generally the trend I have encountered is that the more difficult the travel the more open-minded and easy-going the travelers tend to be. For example, in Peru, where I found the combination of altitude and treacherous roads particularly taxing, I met many agreeable individuals. They impressed me with their interest in local culture and their efforts to communicate with the locals in Spanish. At this point, I will mention that many of these people were American and they completely destroyed any stereo typical conceptions I may have had about Canada’s domineering southern neighbour.

Thailand, while not a first world country in terms of development, has an extensive infrastructure for travelers. Nearly everywhere I went I was met with Thai people eager to help me find accommodation, obtain tickets for transportation or provide some type of service to make my travels more enjoyable. As a result of its interesting culture, ease of travel and affordability Thailand attracts travelers of many sorts and unfortunately not all of them the humble laid back sort.

The nastiest backpacker I have ever encountered was staying at our guesthouse in Ayutthaya. From the second I overheard her loudly recounting stories of her five month stint in Thailand I was unimpressed. By bragging about her extended length of stay she meant to infer that she had developed a profound and deep connection with the people of this country. I certainly agree that the longer a person spends in a particular area the more enriching the experience. However, I do not think anyone would debate the fact that a person’s attitude also greatly shapes their experience. Within a few seconds of hearing this woman speak I could tell that humility was not a characteristic often displayed. I found it hard to believe that her patronizing and dismissive behavior towards the guesthouse staff indicated that she could have a profound connection with any person in any country.

Up to this point however, her attitude was not too much different than dozens of other backpackers I had encountered. Travellers upholding a belief that because their country has one of the highest GDP's in the world they are bestowed with a privilege to treat others with rudeness and disrespect. Until the next morning when I awoke to her screams in the courtyard. In Southeast Asia there are no laundromats. Instead one "sends their laundry out". While it doesn’t always come back Tide Fresh the results are generally acceptable. Except in the case of our American friend. She had included a new yellow shirt with her laundry and the dye ended up running all over the rest of her clothes.

This psychotic woman (To simplify I am just going to call her Psycho Lady) was screaming at the guesthouse staff demanding that the laundry lady pay her the money it would take to buy replace all the ruined articles. She claimed that her clothes were valued at a few hundred dollars. In a country where the average daily wage is about $8 USD this of course was ridiculous. So Psycho Lady began threatening to call the police.

The staff then offered her a free breakfast which actually happened to my breakfast that I was eagerly awaiting. Psycho Lady proceeded to throw the plate of food on the ground in a manner befitting a two year old.

Admittedly I sympathized with the situation. When you live out of a backpack, wearing the same clothing for weeks at a time, one can grow quite attached to their belongings. However, I was absolutely disgusted with the method Psycho Lady decided to confront the situation.

When you decide to travel you also choose to leave the comfort and control of home life behind. This naturally includes the Maytag washer and dryer. I fully believe if an individual can afford to live in Thailand for more than five months without working they most certainly can afford the money it would cost to replace a few hundred dollars worth of clothes. Especially in a country that is renowned for its name brand knockoffs.

In retrospect I wish I had set this lady straight...

"Suck it up, buy some new clothes and continue on with your travels. This lady you insist on degrading will likely never see places a few hours away let alone countries on the other side of the globe. So be thankful for your experiences and respect the people of a country that allow you to reside for five months without having to work a single day. Accept that crap happens when you travel and if you can't deal with it then go back to your safe suburbian life and stop complaining"

...but instead I sat on the verandah overlooking the river listening to my grumbling stomach and wishing my breakfast was not scattered all over the floor

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