Determining what I was going to discuss on MBSB has proven to be more of a challenge than expected. I’m hit with a lot of interesting moments, but what do I write about? What is too much?
The protocol is to relay my truth, to not dance around things while maintaining an atmosphere of respect. At the very least, as much respect as I believe the situation allows while maintaining my truth.
Sensationalism is empty and weak. An attempt to elicit attention, reaction in its most base form. It lacks soul.
I want the reader to understand the context of the content on MBSB via my experiences, hence the personal nature of this site. For example, without the relaying of the personal, some pieces may not be fully understood due to the reader’s mindset, based on his/her experiences, a.k.a. worldview and the culturally deemed common sense. I suspect most of you are Westerners. Navigating Thailand the way I have, meaning mostly amongst the country’s working poor has changed me.
I’ve had to drastically open my mind to other ways of seeing and experiencing the world. Ways that conflict what I know as a Western mindset.
This will come out in my writing.
Tales Of The Zombie Hooker is a category that will be devoted to the random weirdness that comes my way relating to sex, gender, whatever. Currently, I’m a solo white female navigating an Asian country where feminism hasn’t exactly hit. A lot of things come up.
I considered not writing about such instances, then realized to adequately contextualize my experience, you should understand this aspect because it greatly defines my reality here. If I was a man, my experience would be drastically different.
This won’t be a category reminiscent of a dating diary or what one might expect from a Thailand forum. No tales of me getting pist and picking up hookers. Rather, expect the moments that make me pause and think, WTF just happened?
Finally, what’s a Zombie Hooker?
It’s me, coined by a girl who, by Western standards stalked me for approximately one year. It’s one of my favourite insults thrown my way in Thailand. I received it via text. As she couldn’t speak English, I’m assuming she grabbed a dictionary and threw it together. Thank you obsessive loud chick.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Read the last memoir entry, Muay Thai Training In Limbo, here.
Read the next memoir entry, Lolito, here.
I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoy your writing style and I find your subject matter very interesting. Your world is fascinating, thanks for letting us in.
Thanks Jody. That means a lot.
LDF-
Here are some things that you could cover under the “zombie hooker”
in no particular order….
-Skin whitening cream
-Thai “Tom” Girls
-Swastikas and Nazi memorabilia
-acting more effed up so a guy will pick you up.
-general racism
-country fashion
-picking your nose in public
I’m looking forward to your posts!
Nop, excellent topics. I’m curious about a lot of those myself. I wonder if some of those things are more “Bangkokian” than country Thai (Toms, skin whitening).
Also, LDF I’m kind of looking for an outlet to talk about how dating in Thailand is so much more different than in the West, maybe I could guest post one of these days if you feel the subject aligns with your intended site voice.
Rob, send me your ideas in an email. I think this could work.
Hi Laura,
thanks for your honest, interesting and funny posts! During my last months here, I’ve come to the conclusion that Thailand is actually two countries in one- one for girls, one for guys. Being a woman enables me to experience such different stuff than if I were a man. Mostly, I’m very happy about my sex, sometimes it’s frustrating. Because being a woman in an european country is difficult enough, but here… I was asked if I was a tomboy/ ladyboy (which is worse?) twice the last months.
I’d love to read more about dating in Thailand (tried it, too- if you ever need guest writers, I’d be happy to share my experience^^), as it’d very helpful to have more information besides the usual “all thai guys are useless yadda yadda”
Sorry for any mistakes, english is not my mother tongue 🙂
Hi Lisa –
Thank-you!
I’m currently looking for guest writers and Tales of The Zombie Hooker could always use more tales….please check your inbox. 🙂