มองจีนจากสายตาวัยรุ่นจีนที่ไปโตที่อังกฤษ @immikeyu | Hello Stranger! EP.1 (Part 2/2)

Summary

The conversation explores the cultural differences between Northern and Southern China through the lens of the speaker's parents, one from Beijing and the other from Hong Kong. It delves into the influence of Western culture in Hong Kong, the contrasting values in upbringing, and the speaker's own experiences growing up in the UK with a mix of Chinese and British influences. The discussion also touches on the speaker's nomadic lifestyle, the initial disapproval from their parents, and the eventual acceptance and appreciation of their choices. The conversation further covers the Chinese influence in Thailand, the changing views on work-life balance, and the impact of Chinese tourists and soft power on global perceptions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker has a diverse cultural background, with a father from Beijing and a mother from Hong Kong, which has exposed them to both Northern and Southern Chinese cultures.
• 🏡 There's a noticeable difference in values and lifestyles between the speaker's parents, with the mother's Hong Kong background being more Western-influenced due to its history as a British colony.
• 🍲 The culinary styles of the speaker's parents differ significantly, with the father's cooking being representative of strong, heavy Northern flavors, while the mother's Cantonese cooking is lighter and more delicate.
• 🌍 The speaker appreciates the blend of cultures in their upbringing, which was neither strictly traditional Chinese nor entirely British, allowing for a more liberal and open-minded approach to life.
• 🚫 The speaker's parents were permissive and encouraged freedom, even allowing them to engage in activities that might be considered taboo in some Chinese cultures, such as smoking at a young age.
• 🏙️ The speaker's nomadic lifestyle was initially met with disapproval from their parents, who valued stability and traditional career paths, but they have since come to accept it after visiting the speaker in Thailand.
• 🌏 The Chinese influence is prevalent in Bangkok, with many Chinese restaurants and a significant Chinese community, which the speaker finds comforting and reminiscent of home.
• 💼 There's a stereotype of Chinese tourists being part of large groups and being very photo-centric, which the speaker humorously acknowledges as a trait their father also possesses.
• 📈 The rapid economic growth in China has led to a new wealthy class that has not yet fully adopted international social etiquettes, leading to certain stereotypes during their travels.
• 📺 The popularity of Thai culture, particularly BL series, has influenced Chinese tourists' interest in Thailand, with some even moving there to experience it firsthand.

Q & A

What cultural differences exist between the north and south of China as mentioned in the transcript?

The transcript highlights that the north, represented by Beijing, is very different from the south, represented by Hong Kong. The south is described as more Western-influenced, delicate, and soft in terms of food and possibly lifestyle, while the north is characterized by strong, heavy flavors in food and possibly a more traditional approach to life.

How has the British influence affected the upbringing and values of the speaker's mother?

The speaker's mother, being from Hong Kong which was a British colony, was instilled with British values from an early age, especially since she studied in the UK at 16. This has made her more reserved and possibly more 'British' in her upbringing and values compared to the speaker's father.

What is the speaker's perspective on the parenting style of their parents?

The speaker describes their parents as being very free and open, allowing them to do what they wanted, including bringing friends home, attending parties, and even smoking in front of their mother at the age of 16. This parenting style is noted as being more Western and liberal.

How did the speaker's nomadic lifestyle initially affect their parents?

Initially, the speaker's parents were disappointed and did not understand their nomadic lifestyle. They wanted the speaker to return home, expressing concern about their unconventional path of living in random places without a stable job or speaking the local language.

What changed the speaker's parents' perspective on their lifestyle in Thailand?

The speaker's parents' perspective changed after they visited Thailand and saw how developed it was, with luxurious condos and a rich local culture. They also saw how the speaker was living and this firsthand experience made them appreciate and understand the speaker's lifestyle.

What is the speaker's view on the Chinese influence in Bangkok and how does it make them feel?

The speaker feels that the Chinese influence in Bangkok, including the presence of Chinese restaurants and people, is one of the reasons they consider Thailand as home. They appreciate the familiarity of Chinese food and culture, which makes them feel more at ease.

How does the speaker compare the social acceptance of certain behaviors in China versus Thailand?

The speaker notes that behaviors such as cutting queues and spitting in public are more socially acceptable in less developed areas of China, whereas in Thailand, such actions would be frowned upon or met with public disapproval.

What is the speaker's observation on the entrepreneurial spirit of Chinese people?

The speaker observes that Chinese people have a strong entrepreneurial spirit, attributing this to a cultural worship of money. This drive to earn and accumulate wealth is seen as a key factor in their success in business.

How does the speaker view the work-life balance in Thailand compared to China?

The speaker appreciates the Thai culture's emphasis on enjoying life and maintaining a balance between work and leisure. They contrast this with the Chinese culture, where there is a noted emphasis on hard work and financial success, sometimes at the expense of personal enjoyment.

What is the speaker's opinion on the impact of Thai BL (Boys' Love) series on tourism and cultural influence?

The speaker acknowledges the popularity of Thai BL series.

Outlines

00:00

👨‍👩‍👧 Cultural Upbringing and Parental Influences

The paragraph discusses the speaker's mixed cultural background, with a father from Beijing and a mother from Hong Kong, leading to exposure to both northern and southern Chinese cultures. The speaker notes the distinct differences in values and cooking styles between the regions, with the father's Beijing-style cooking being hearty and the mother's Cantonese cooking being delicate. The upbringing was not strictly traditional, as the parents were quite liberal, allowing the speaker freedom and flexibility in lifestyle choices. The speaker's mother, having been educated in the UK, had more Westernized values, which influenced the family's dynamics. The speaker's parents also held traditional expectations regarding education and career stability.

05:02

🧳 Transitioning from Nomadic Lifestyle to Stability

The speaker talks about their initial nomadic lifestyle, which was a source of concern for their parents who were more traditional in their expectations. The parents' visit to Thailand, where the speaker was living, changed their perspective as they saw the developed infrastructure and the positive aspects of their child's life there. This visit led to a change in their attitude towards the speaker's lifestyle and career choices, as they began to see the potential for stability and success in the speaker's endeavors.

10:03

🍽️ Chinese Influence and Cultural Observations in Bangkok

The conversation shifts to the noticeable Chinese influence in Bangkok, including the prevalence of Chinese restaurants and the impact of Chinese tourists. The speaker, identifying with the Chinese culture, feels at home in Thailand due to this influence. There's a discussion about the changing behaviors and perceptions of Chinese tourists, attributed to China's rapid economic growth and the lack of exposure to global social norms. The speaker also touches on the collective pride in Chinese and Thai cultures and the importance of social status in both societies.

15:03

🏢 Entrepreneurship and the Pursuit of Happiness

The speaker reflects on the entrepreneurial spirit common among Chinese people and how their cultural emphasis on wealth and success drives them. This is contrasted with the Thai culture, which values enjoyment of life and a balanced approach to work and leisure. The speaker's father, owning a Thai restaurant, represents the traditional Chinese work ethic, while the Thai chefs he works with embody the local philosophy of enjoying life. The speaker advocates for a balance between work and enjoyment, suggesting that life is about more than just accumulating wealth.

20:04

🌏 Soft Power and Cultural Exchange

The discussion delves into the concept of soft power, particularly in the context of Thailand's efforts to promote its culture and attractions globally. The popularity of Thai BL series and its influence on tourism is highlighted as an example of successful soft power. The speaker shares their personal mission to challenge stereotypes and showcase the authentic Thailand through their content creation, aiming to reveal the country's diverse offerings beyond common misconceptions.

25:06

🌆 Changing Attitudes and Lifestyles in China

The final paragraph explores the evolving mindset of the younger generation in China, who are increasingly seeking a balance between work and personal fulfillment, diverging from the traditional path of intense study and competitive careers. The speaker notes a growing resistance to the '996' work culture and a desire for more individuality and creativity among Chinese youth. The conversation also touches on the one-child policy and its impact on Chinese society, as well as the broader shifts in work ethics and lifestyle preferences.

Keywords

💡Cultural Differences

Cultural differences refer to the variations in customs, traditions, and social behaviors between different societies. In the video, the concept is explored through the lens of the speaker's upbringing with parents from Beijing and Hong Kong, highlighting the distinct values and lifestyles that each region imparts. For example, the speaker mentions that cooking styles and values differ significantly between the north (Beijing) and the south (Hong Kong) of China.

💡Western Influence

Western influence denotes the impact of Western cultures, values, and ideas on other societies. The video discusses how Hong Kong is perceived as more Westernized due to its history as a British colony, which instilled British values in the local population. This is exemplified when the speaker's mother is described as being 'more British than my dad,' reflecting the adoption of Western ways of thinking and life.

💡Patriotism

Patriotism is the love, devotion, and sense of attachment to one's country. The video contrasts the strong patriotic sentiment in mainland China with the attitudes in Hong Kong, suggesting a difference in national pride and loyalty. The speaker notes that Chinese culture is 'very patriotic,' whereas Hong Kong's peak may have passed, indicating a potential shift in civic pride.

💡Education System

The education system encompasses the structure and processes by which societies provide academic, vocational, and other forms of education. In the video, the speaker's mother's education in the UK and the British education system's influence on Hong Kong are mentioned, illustrating how education can shape an individual's values and worldview.

💡Cantonese Cuisine

Cantonese cuisine is a style of Chinese cooking originating from the Guangdong region, known for its light and delicate flavors. The video mentions the contrast between the speaker's mother's Cantonese cooking and the strong, heavy flavors of Beijing Northern food, showcasing the diversity within Chinese culinary traditions.

💡Digital Nomad

A digital nomad is a person who leverages technology to earn a living and work remotely, often while traveling. The video touches on the growing trend of young people in China and around the world seeking a lifestyle that offers more freedom and flexibility than traditional office jobs. This reflects a shift in work culture and values, as mentioned when discussing the changing mentality of young Chinese people.

💡Soft Power

Soft power is the ability to influence others through appeal and attraction rather than coercion or force. The video discusses how Thailand is leveraging its cultural exports, such as the popularity of BL (Boys' Love) series, to enhance its soft power and change global perceptions beyond stereotypes. This strategy aims to showcase the country's rich culture and everyday life to a broader audience.

💡Etiquette

Etiquette refers to the customary code of polite behavior in society or among members of a particular profession or group. The video script mentions the rapid economic growth of China and how social skills or etiquette may not have kept pace, leading to certain behaviors being more acceptable in China than in other countries. However, it also notes an increasing awareness and education on proper behavior, particularly among the younger generation.

💡Collectivism

Collectivism is a value system that emphasizes group goals over individual goals and prioritizes the welfare of the group. The video compares collectivist tendencies in both Thai and Chinese cultures, where there is a strong sense of national pride and societal expectations. The speaker suggests that this is a common aspect among many Asian cultures, including Korea, and contrasts it with individualistic cultures like the UK.

💡Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneurship is the process of designing, launching, and running a new business, which is seen as a key driver of economic growth and job creation. The video highlights the entrepreneurial spirit attributed to Chinese people, suggesting that the cultural value placed on money and hard work is a significant factor. The speaker also reflects on their own experience as an entrepreneur, drawing parallels with the broader cultural context.

💡Stereotypes

Stereotypes are widely held but fixed and oversimplified ideas or beliefs about particular types of people or things. The video discusses various stereotypes associated with Thailand, China, and Chinese tourists, and how these can be misleading or incomplete representations of the reality. The speaker aims to challenge these stereotypes by sharing authentic experiences and perspectives.

Highlights

Cultural differences between the north and south of China, with the south being described as more Western.

The influence of British colonialism on Hong Kong and its impact on the values and education system.

The contrast in cooking styles between Beijing and Cantonese cuisine reflecting regional cultural differences.

The concept of 'higho' in Thai culture and its influence on social status and lifestyle.

The changing values in China with younger generations seeking more independence and creative freedom.

The Chinese work culture characterized by long hours and intense competition.

The impact of globalization and social media on the shift towards a more balanced life in China.

The importance of enjoying life and work-life balance as emphasized by Thai culture.

The role of Chinese people in Thai businesses and their entrepreneurial spirit.

The influence of Chinese tourists in Thailand and the fascination with Thai culture.

The prevalence of Chinese restaurants in Bangkok and the popularity of Chinese cuisine.

The significance of soft power in shaping international perceptions of a country.

The Thai government's efforts to improve the country's soft power through cultural exports like BL Series.

The contrast between Western and Asian perceptions of Thailand and the stereotypes that exist.

The personal journey from a 'goofball backpacker' to a stable digital nomad in Thailand.

The challenges faced by the Chinese one-child policy and the 996 work culture.

The growing resistance among Chinese youth against traditional career paths and the desire for a more fulfilling life.

The role of social media in shaping the aspirations and lifestyles of young people in China and Thailand.

The potential for Thailand to become a hub for digital nomads and the appeal of its cost of living.

Transcripts

I wanted to touch more about your

background like um your parents uh

they're both Chinese or or different uh

so my dad is from Beijing and my mom is

from Hong Kong wow okay so I get to see

like both cultures cuz um the south is

very different to the north mhm yeah and

and some people would say it's like a

you know completely two different worlds

I I would agree from from what I

understand is that Hong Kong is more

like Western right right and and maybe

is that true in in the way that your

parents like raise you do you feel like

like they had different values or or is

it similar like Chinese and Hong Kong

values it's very different yeah like

speaking to my dad is very different to

my mom wow by the way they cook you know

when when my dad Cooks it's very strong

like Beijing Northern food very

flavorful like very heavy but when my

mom cooks it's Cantonese food it's very

delicate very soft interesting something

I prefer um and yeah it's it's totally

totally different you know like Hong

Kong people yeah way more Western like

he said um they think in a much more

like I'd say more Western way of

thinking is it more like liberal too

it I would say it's not as black and

white as that because it depends on the

area of Hong Kong and also the the level

of like the the way they've been

educated oh true true true uh and the

age group but um I would say it it

generally speaking Yeah more Western

yeah yeah so can you think of any thing

where like your mom and dad like would

butt heads in like some values or some

things that they disagree on because of

like their

values like when it comes to when it

when it came to like raising you for

example yeah I would say my mom is more

like reserved and I would say even more

British than my dad really yeah because

Hong Kong was like a British colony true

true true so a lot of like the British

values was instilled in my mom from a

early age since she was uh uh since she

was like 16 she studied in the UK wow

and like even back then the the Hong

Kong went through like a British uh

education system mhm and my dad grew up

in Beijing so he's still like even like

he's been in the UK since he's 24 he's

so Chinese really you can't get it out

interesting so it's because maybe

because like he was already old when he

moved there like 24 yeah and I think

like the Chinese culture is like

really strong I'd say maybe even more

stronger than Hong Kong yeah in in the

way that it affects like who you are is

that what you mean yeah because uh China

is very

patriotic yep yep whereas Hong

Kong yeah it's

like wow so when when you were growing

up in the UK um with your mom and dad

did they instill a lot of Chinese values

in you or do you feel like they just

raised you like like every British

kid uh I would say it wasn't very like

Chinese or British it was just in the

middle cuz my parents came at like a

young age so um it was not very like

traditional but it was also not very

like uh British you know MH um I think

they were very free wow in what I can do

I was like a very naughty kid really

when you were young yeah they were like

I think they were the best parents for

me because like I could bring like

whoever I want like back home no I'm not

like I mean like friends and stuff yeah

uh yeah I could bring like any friend I

want back home and like they can stay

over uh they let me go to like parties

and stuff wow yeah my mom even allowed

me to have a cigarette in front of her

too when I was like 16 and it was yeah I

would say that is not that Chinese you

know yeah yeah wow so they're they're

kind of open like in the western sense

in that way I think they were very like

they allowed me to do what I want but

you said like in a way they still want

you to be stable and have like a

traditional job or do you think not

really anymore I I think when it comes

to like um having a good life they did

yeah they want me to be like stay aable

financially like they want the best for

me so um yeah they always they

definitely wanted me to go to university

and they definitely want me to like get

like a good job yeah what did they think

about your nomadic lifestyle like in the

beginning oh my my parents are

disappointed really how did you justify

them you just said you need to tr oh

they were like get back home son we

didn't travel all thousands of KM for

you to be a traveling goofball you know

having a backpack and like staying

you know in like random people's couches

you know like what the heck are you

doing um yeah they don't they didn't

understand and even up until last year

they didn't understand W until they came

here and they're like oh actually it's

not bad oh they came to see like how

you're living and stuff yeah because

they never came to Thailand before cuz

usually I'll travel and come back right

but this time I didn't come back after

like one year they're like M are you

coming back and after like a year and a

half they're like okay we're going to

see the see the sun right a yeah cuz my

dad was very like reluctant he like why

am I going there what what what were

they what were their opinions of

Thailand before coming you know they

they've never really like been to

Thailand although my dad has a Thai

restaurant he's he's never um like Ste

in Thailand no he uh yeah he's never

been here and um he has he had no like

he yeah he just thought it's random you

know like why not China why not Hong

Kong why not UK interesting why here you

don't even speak the language you have

no friends here you you didn't have a

job coming

here just didn't make sense um but when

they came here like they they saw like

how like developed is is like when you

go to like MC here icon s you look at

like how like nice the luxurious condos

are but also you have like the local

culture and it's like very fascinating

for them did they like it they loved it

and they're like oh when we coming back

next a that's so nice yeah yeah so now

it's like a thing where they come every

year oh you're trying to make that a

thing like every year wow that's so nice

so your journey has kind of come all the

way from from like goofball uh

Backpacker to now like oh cuz you can

show them that like what you're doing

traveling is you know leading to like a

stable life like a job right and I think

now like 2024 we can like make a career

of anything we want due to like social

media and the internet mhm because

nowadays like more and more people can

work online or at home or like hybrid

you know and and I think times are

changing and I think um like more and

more people are doing that and as you

can see like more people are coming to

Thailand right yeah yeah um I really

want to talk to you about some things

like Chinese related right because uh

can't deny that Bangkok everywhere you

go Chinese influence right Mala

restaurant are you a fan yeah but I try

and uh people are obsessed with it like

oh especially girls I don't know why but

girls love eating Mala what do you think

about that just going everywhere and

seeing Chinese restaurants Chinese

influence Chinese people um all over

Bangkok like does it make you feel like

home does it make you you know how how

what do you think about it I think that

is like one of the reasons like I call

like Thailand home because it also has

like a big Chinese influence you know

true yeah I like it cuz when I first

came to Thailand I saw like C like wait

I eat this at home really so it's

actually like a Chinese dish too yeah

but we just have it the Chinese style

you know we use a different uh dipping

sauce and also the the chicken tastes

different what do you call it ham ham

but it's basically the same thing as K

yeah but um it's uh it's highes St ah

interesting wow so so why not

China if you like like being able to see

Chinese people here like what about here

is you know better than like China where

everyone is Chinese uh I can't use

social media

then is that the biggest is that the

biggest I don't know what I'll be doing

right I can't be a Tik tocker or I can't

use you can be a Chinese Tik tocker

right I'm not sure like yeah I don't

know actually why not China what about

like Hong Kong yeah Hong Kong is so

expensive and it's so stressful there

like I would say the peak of Hong Kong

is already gone because everyone is very

stressed and they're like tired and

they're overworked and it's like you can

feel it when you go there and like pay

ma is so expensive there you wouldn't

want you wouldn't want to live there for

a while yeah and here the for like a

foreigner it's the cost of living is

very nice

and I don't have to spend much to like

live a happy life you know like cman gay

is like 40 50 bu It's My Simple

Pleasures you know Hong Kong it's like 3

400 b you know all for like one one meal

yeah I don't want to pay that true wow

so yeah seeing Chinese influence

everywhere I wanted to ask you about

Chinese tourists too you know Tai people

have always you know made jokes or

whatever because you know everywhere in

the everywhere in the world there's

always groups of of Chinese tourist so I

just wanted to ask you even though

you're not like like from China and go

on those tours like do you kind of

understand and and yeah what what do you

think about them yeah I mean my dad is

one of them oh really your dad is like

the type to go on those tours T Pi no

he's not he's not the yeah he's the type

to go on the tours but also act very oh

like the Personality yeah Chinese so to

speak he has like the huge iPad taking

pictures of everything even the like

trash cans he takes pictures up really

he like oh this

interesting like damn yeah uhhuh yeah I

mean I grew up with uh that my whole

life every time we travel mhm what do I

think of it um yeah what what about like

the Chinese culture or Chinese tourist

do you think is so like maybe different

to other people that like they're like

who is there like a explanation as to

why uh Chinese people have certain like

stereotypes attached to how they act

when they're together like in a group

tour do you know what it is it's it's

like Chin Chinese people have recently

become like very wealthy like there's

been like a boom of a lot of like Rich

Chinese people whereas before they

didn't have the luxury to like travel

before because uh you know the the

economy wasn't great but now a lot of

people have money so they decided to

travel but since they got like Rich so

quickly they didn't like learn like the

the

I'll say like the social skills or like

the Ed the etiquette to like behave

properly because in China it's it's okay

to like kind of cut the cues and like to

be loud really it's more socially

acceptable there than it is in other

countries so I think it was it's just a

rapid growth of like their economy yeah

but I think now nowadays like it's being

taught in like in like schools and stuff

awareness yeah like don't do that yes

and even on social media they teach like

how to behave properly so nowadays you

only see it from like the older Chinese

people whereas like the you know the

people our age they're more like Wellman

that's so interesting do you think it's

because like Chinese people just haven't

really seen uh much of other countries

I'll say that but also it's not like the

it's not being socially taught in

schools uh I would say especially in

like the tier 2 3 4 cities I think like

in Beijing Shanghai guong shinen the

main big cities yeah because it's very

educated and a lot of money goes into

educations but in like the poorer like

cities they're not being taught that and

and this is how like they usually live

their day-to-day life you know like

cutting cues is not seen as that rude

it's like the norm you know really if

someone cuts you in Bangkok you're going

to say something right you're going to

be like what the you know like get back

you know and you'll be like publicly

ashamed for that and you'll learn your

lesson but in China if cut the queue in

like a maybe tier 2 3 4 City they'll try

and cut it more you know it's like a

race that's so interesting is there any

more little stuff like that that's like

different contrast between China and and

Thai culture uh I guess like you get

like spitting in public in in China it's

um seen like very okay like in the I'll

say poorer countries in like Shanghai no

it's it's kind of like frowned upon but

in uh in like the the cities that are

less developed yeah it's kind of normal

and like the smoking like shopping malls

and like really yeah hotels restaurants

yeah oh I see and in terms of like uh

collectivism like how how do you compare

like China and and Thailand in terms of

that I would say it actually it's

similar in a lot of ways where like I

think Thai people are very proud to be

Thai right right and and I think Chinese

are very proud to be Chinese but I would

say in the UK they're not that proud to

be British yeah yeah but but for Tai and

China yeah I'd say they're they're yeah

they are very proud mhm yeah and it's

more like uh a culture of caring about

like how you're perceived in society

right more than the UK you think oh 100%

yeah I mean like living in Thailand I

would say like Tha people are very like

um

they very they care a lot about like how

they perceive right about their social

status I think that's a very Asian thing

you know it's not specifically tied to

just Thailand but you know China Korea

oh you see like some similarities yeah I

think uh you know you know what it's um

I what I find interesting is like um

like the influences in Thailand they're

very like higho yeah yeah they all have

to be higho basically and and I would

say that this the segregation between

like normal people and the way like heo

influencers live like a very like

different life and in a way I would say

like it's very hard to connect to your

audience in that way that's really true

it's so it's not um it's there's no

relevance you know you can't like look

at them like eating like UI or like

living in all these like luxury results

and you can't relate you know

wait where am I getting to this point

I'm just saying like um there's also

cons to like this social St for sure for

sure yeah yeah I I I think especially in

Thai culture there's very much like a

clear separation between like higho and

and others right and and there's not

really like a like a healthy middle In

tha In tha culture there really really

isn't right because if you're in the

middle then you want to try to be

perceived as high Soul things like that

cuz even like I ride like a motorbike in

Thailand and like when when uh some

people ask me how do you get here I'm

like bike and they give me funny

looks I can see they still attach a

certain like stereotype to to riding

bikes which is like what but but for me

I I I don't care yeah like I still eat

my C gay for sure my

great yeah no that that's true because

from your perspective as a foreigner

coming in like you don't need to have

those like values that are put in like

to for example like a Thai kid that

might have grew up high so their whole

life they might not be able to eat like

street food or do things like that right

but when you're a foreigner like you

just kind of able to embrace everything

you think yeah I think cuz yeah I come

from a perspective where everything is

like new and I'm like a kid in a

playground I'm absorbing it like a

sponge MH um yeah it's very like

interesting to try all these like unique

perspectives and it'san like a lot more

for me too yeah for sure um and another

thing I want to ask you like

specifically about you but also about

like Chinese culture is like your

entrepreneurship like you know Thai

people always say like uh most of the

like businesses are run by Chinese

people like Chinese people are very good

at at being entrepreneurs running

business and you yourself you're an

example of that even though you grew up

in the UK so what do you think about

Chinese people uh enables them to be so

good with like business and stuff Thai

people worship like Buddhism right mhm

mhm Chinese people worship money oh like

as yeah like Chinese people really love

money I think it's ingrained in our

culture like that is very important do

you think Hong Kong and China same yeah

uh I'll say

China more apparent it's like more clear

like yeah Hong Kong is like more subtle

it's more like old money in Hong Kong

because uh how Hong Kong was formed was

like a lot of the old money from China

CH move to Hong Kong like the rich

people from like Shanghai they move to

Hong Kong and they're already rich you

know so they don't need to like show it

off as much as like China does yeah oh

that's so interesting so you think like

the fact that most people worship money

is what drives them to make money

basically yeah because it's like a like

a hamster wheel right you love money so

you work harder interesting yeah and

then like you keep working harder cuz

you want to keep making more and more in

contrast to maybe like the Thai culture

where it's

more Tai is more

healthy I would say entrepreneurship is

very strong here but I like it here more

because it's you're not trying to like

uh like take someone else's bread it's

more like you work and you enjoy life

you know and I really like appreciate

that about Thailand because people know

how to enjoy life here um my my dad has

a Thai restaurant and he has Thai chefs

you know and my uh the Tha chefs always

say to my dad like you need to enjoy

life because he's always working but

he's never like enjoying it but for them

like they work and then after work

they're actually like having the glass

of wine and they're going out to

socialize with their friends and now

you're understand what that means yeah

and I think that's really important

because life is not all about work you

know and I think maybe that's my piece

of advice for Chinese people because you

work and you get all this money but

you're not spending it you know yeah for

my dad too he was like working working

and he's like never really got to enjoy

it because he always wants to make like

more and I think it's important to

actually like be more

Tha to enjoy life yeah those aspects I

think out of all the countries of been

to Tai people know how to enjoy life the

most yeah but could that be a bad thing

you know what I think it can be but

there's also a balance right it's like

yin and yang like you have to find a

healthy relationship for sure and yeah

maybe some people are lazy in Thailand

but I think most of the time people are

having a good life you know and I think

life is about having fun mhm yeah and

enjoying what you're doing so if they

not working as hard I think it's you

know it's their life for sure yeah and

but you just think like the environment

of Thailand is more like conducive to

you like being happy having a like

enjoyable life more because you don't

feel like certain like stress or

something like that yeah because of like

work environment I think like as an

influencer and when I like collaborate

with Brands too they're very chill with

me too they're like really have you had

like positive interactions with with

Brands mostly 99% they're very like

chill but I would say if I was in China

that would be a different story they

would be like ah you have to do this

that and it's like very strict but TI is

like

some true I see a lot of uh Chinese

people nowadays in Bangkok wearing like

our high school uniforms uh I I know

that like uh a lot of of our series and

especially like the boy love series are

really popular in China like have do you

have any opinion or know anything about

that um yeah like one of my friends

Joyce she moved to Thailand just because

of the BL Series yeah yeah yeah yeah so

I I I didn't know about this before but

yeah it's a really big thing for like

Taiwanese Chinese yeah Hong Kong people

and it's like boosting our tourism cuz

people are coming here to to like

cosplay as a as a students right yeah

like I realized when people started

commenting like B out on my uh on my

Instagram real yeah were they like

shipping you with people yeah cuz I

would like film with like another friend

and they'll be like oh you guys look

good together yeah TI people love to do

that and like when I made content in

other countries they never said that

okay maybe it's just a tie thing yeah

that's true and um yeah we used to see

like Korea Japan where people would go

to to like put on the uniforms and now

it's starting to to be Thailand and and

yeah our government is trying to push

like soft power so I guess in a way like

like this is one of those things that

that works what do you mean by Soft

power oh soft power it's um so soft

power is things like media things that

are like cultural influences to get

other countries to know of you like for

example we really look up to Korea for

being really good at soft power cuz like

think about the past 10 years right like

K-pop K drama everything has taken over

the world world and in a way we want to

be able to have that kind of of

influence and and and awareness right

cuz a lot of people still don't really

know thaine apart from basic stereotypes

like you know maybe lady boys or things

like that so our government is uh

constantly like pushing out these like

policies to improve soft power and I

guess like the BL Series has just become

one of the things that has like found so

much success so yeah that definitely has

impacted like culturally um what people

think about us yeah so I wanted to touch

on that because um UK have like a lot of

stereotypes about thaan which is like

not true what which are like what so

they all they think about is like you

know lady boys kand Road Chang beer and

Patti so still the same old stereotypes

right yeah I mean like of course like

they do have those things in Thailand

but it's not just that right and talking

about like soft power like the reason I

wanted to make content is to like

showcase the real Thailand the theme of

my like content is like undiscover

Thailand you know like showing like what

Thailand is about you know interviewing

like real people in Thailand and seeing

like the firsthand perspectives cuz

there's like so much more you know like

they don't know about like like what's

going on in like the everyday life like

the restaurants you can try other than

like Pat Tha like all the different

spots you can visit even like places

like cier is like so beautiful and like

no one's even heard of it you know yeah

so I just want to like share more of

that to the world wow yeah cuz sometimes

like when I walk on the street they're

like hey I actually came to Thailand

because of your videos and I'm like

that's really cool you know that's

awesome yeah wow so you're kind of like

helping our tourism industry in the way

too give me a passport I think yeah I

think like yeah you're just genuinely

trying to present Thailand like in in a

good way and like show people uh sides

of Thailand that a lot of people might

have not see which is something I really

commend but I wanted to ask you too like

do you know much about what uh what do

Chinese people think about Thailand

nowadays compared to like the UK people

do Chinese people have a positive uh

connotation think about Thailand or what

is it like so Chinese people love eating

love it so much um people the

stereotypes about Thailand is the the

food is really amazing here and you can

eat a lot for a really good price and

the massages are good and the jine is

amazing Chinese people like Jan yeah so

a lot of Chinese people come for the

food yeah and just to have like a break

from like their work and just like

recharge here yeah cuz you can get a lot

of things at like a really good rate

compared to like China for sure and do

you yourself like interact with like the

Chinese people living in Thailand not

really cuz I think the the cultural

differences are quite different too yeah

for sure wow so yeah it's it's so nice

of you that that you're trying to you

know show Thailand in a better light and

and wow it must feel surreal to hear

someone say that they moved to Thailand

because of you right yeah it's pretty

cool actually I didn't expect it like

when I first started making content yeah

but I think it just uh uncovers a lot of

like the myths because a lot of people

are like scared right like they read the

news like oh this happened in Thailand

or you know they a lot in like the

Western media like puts like a bad line

on a lot of countries and I just want to

show like what it's really like you know

I'm just telling the truth you know

that's so amazing um and another thing I

want to ask you is like I know you

haven't lived in China but are you aware

or do you know like what are the kids in

and people my age in China like up to

these days I think we see like a big

shift in like uh like Chinese mentality

especially in like the more developing

uh cities so a lot of them are trying to

since like China's opening up more and

they can see like how like you know the

world is a lot of them like are not

trying to working like the office as

much anymore but they're trying to like

be more like digital Nomads and have

like different experiences apart from

like the traditional like office life

where they're get over wow so people are

actually starting to to have that yeah

there's a bit of like resistancy now to

like going through that traditional path

because before it's like very strict you

know you have to study really really

hard for this high school test it's

called G car and and that test

determines like which university gets

into and then go into the into the job

like your parents want you to go into

but now like times are changing and I

think like Chinese kids want more like

independency and they want to show more

of like their creative side and do the

things they like truly want to do you

know for sure and I think that ties in

similar to like how Western people are

like living

now like more independent more like

individual yeah oh so I want to ask you

another thing that Tai people know about

is like the one child policy like 996

like can you talk about things like that

like do you know about how it's impacted

like Chinese people or how people

nowadays think about those things

Chinese people work a lot right like

they usually say like they work from

like crazy hours like 10 plus hours a

day seven like six six days a

week and uh I mean cuz there's so much

competition in China everyone wants to

like out compete each other like if

you're not like stepping up then

someone's going to overtake you you know

I I remember like I went to apply for

this job in like Shanghai it was like

for um

PWC uh doing like Finance internship and

they like they wouldn't even consider me

they said like we only consider people

from like the iy league and the top

schooles because the the competition is

so high and that's why they have such a

like work ethic and culture because if

you're not going to work hard someone

else is going to out compete you there's

so many like Chinese people willing to

like work harder than you yeah but

nowadays you think it's a little bit

shifting away from that because China's

opening up more and becoming more

globalized and they don't want to be

part of that rat race because it's so

tiring you know like like I said like

Tai people know how to enjoy life and I

think a lot of young Chinese people want

to do that too you know start to like

relax a bit and see that life is not

just about work wow that's so beautiful

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