I went to Cambodia before I got stranded here in Bangkok. It is in both places where I fully understand and have come to appreciate the "same-same" principle. As a background, "same-same" is used to refer to the almost similar physical features of the people of South East Asia. A Cambodian is "same-same" to a Filipino, as a Thai is "same-same" to an Indonesian.
In the recently concluded training I attended, I introduced myself as a Filipino (of course!). During the welcome dinner, a guest thought of me as a Cambodian, so she started speaking to me in Khmer. The next day, a co-participant thought that I was Indonesian, so she spoke to me in Bahasa. Throughout the training, my nationality changed every now and then. It's "same-same", you see.
Another interesting thing...my friends from Indonesia and Timor-Leste adore Christian Baustista! They also love Regine Velasquez, and some other Filipino singers that I haven't heard of. And they can very well sing their songs (at least the English ones). Amazing. Am sure there must be many factors for this, and one of which could be that sense of solidarity for being "same-same".
When traveling within the SEA countries (i.e. Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos), you could use the "same-same" principle at your advantage. For one, you could use it to get a good bargain. In Cambodia's famous Russian market...
You can also use the "same-same" principle to protect you from hoaxers. To save on the fare and avoid the rush-hour traffic, I decided to take the ferry along Chao Phraya River. In the pier...
That "same-same" principle could also gain you a friend. Outside the Grand Palace, while trying to figure out which side of the road should I take a taxi (FYI, it's right hand-drive here)...
On my 7th day of being stranded in Bangkok, I couldn't help but think that it would have been more difficult if I was stuck somewhere in the US, Africa or Europe. At least here, I am in the midst of people who share not just some of my physical features, but also some values, eccentricities, and that sense of solidarity and empathy for being "same-same".
In the recently concluded training I attended, I introduced myself as a Filipino (of course!). During the welcome dinner, a guest thought of me as a Cambodian, so she started speaking to me in Khmer. The next day, a co-participant thought that I was Indonesian, so she spoke to me in Bahasa. Throughout the training, my nationality changed every now and then. It's "same-same", you see.
Another interesting thing...my friends from Indonesia and Timor-Leste adore Christian Baustista! They also love Regine Velasquez, and some other Filipino singers that I haven't heard of. And they can very well sing their songs (at least the English ones). Amazing. Am sure there must be many factors for this, and one of which could be that sense of solidarity for being "same-same".
When traveling within the SEA countries (i.e. Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos), you could use the "same-same" principle at your advantage. For one, you could use it to get a good bargain. In Cambodia's famous Russian market...
Me: How much is this (the cotton scarf)?Of course, the lady will refuse, but then you should insist. Refuse-insist. Refuse-insist. Then, she will eventually give in.
Lady: One dollar (pronounced as "dala", with the stress on the second syllable)
Me: Discount sister.
Lady: No, no discount. Very cheap.
Me: Discount sister, same-same, you know. No money. (At this point, you start walking away).
Lady: Oki, oki. How much you give me?
Me: Half-dollar (the advice is to go for half the price). Same-same, you know. No money.
You can also use the "same-same" principle to protect you from hoaxers. To save on the fare and avoid the rush-hour traffic, I decided to take the ferry along Chao Phraya River. In the pier...
Me: Hi. I'd like to take the ferry for Saphan Thaksin.I thought to myself, "Animal kang tawhana ka. Pilipino ni duh, di ni pailad basta-basta".
Man: Okay. Are you alone?
Me: Yes. What time does it leave?
Man: Now. It leave now. (He wrote something in what appeared to me as a temporary receipt. Then handed me the piece of paper.)
Me: What +&%#@**@, one thousand baht?! I am a Filipino, same-same, I am not rich. (Then I walked away.)
That "same-same" principle could also gain you a friend. Outside the Grand Palace, while trying to figure out which side of the road should I take a taxi (FYI, it's right hand-drive here)...
Me: Hi. I am going to Soi Pradoo. Which side of the road should I take a taxi?He became a friend, and he was the one who advised me to take the ferry.
Man: You a foreigner? (Char, foreigner nako!)
Me: Yes. I am a foreigner.
Man: You must be Philipine.
Me: Yes, I am a Filipino. How did you know?
Man: Same-same, and you speak good English.
On my 7th day of being stranded in Bangkok, I couldn't help but think that it would have been more difficult if I was stuck somewhere in the US, Africa or Europe. At least here, I am in the midst of people who share not just some of my physical features, but also some values, eccentricities, and that sense of solidarity and empathy for being "same-same".
