This week I walked into my house and said, “I’m pretty sure one of my top favorite things about living in Thailand is that I can go to a bike mechanic, get the work done that’s needed, and trust I’m not being cheated!” It’s true, I LOVE this about living in Thailand. One of my greatest stresses in life is my vehicle (in the States or here). I don’t understand vehicles and the mechanics of them. It is the only time I feel a need to be married. haha. Everytime I have problems with a vehicle I think, “I just want to be married and have a man do this for me” or I say, “I want my dad!” I just don’t ever trust mechanics to be honest with me and charge a fair price. Well Thailand is changing this for me! Everyone has been consistent to change my flat tires for me for $1 and if the whole intertube must be changed than it’s $3. The last guy I went to fixed my chain and oiled it for me and didn’t charge a bit extra for it. I felt so blessed I was in tears. I couldn’t believe he would go the extra step to make sure my bike was okay-didn’t even ask me about it-just fixed it for me and didn’t charge me anything extra. I was about ready to empty out my wallet for him! haha You better believe I tipped him. I think I may actually start loving going to the mechanic. It’s a great opportunity to speak Thai and they all seem to love it when a farang (western) girl comes up on her bike speaking Thai to them. It is funny, too, because I don’t know how to talk about vehicles in English let alone in Thai so I’m sure when I try to talk about my bike I just sound ridiculous. I’m glad I can make them laugh…I laugh at myself, too.
Along the lines of small talk…another thing that I love about Thailand are the shop keepers of small shops/gas pumpers. (My dear friend, Bekah, totally gets this…or I should say…I now understand Bekah who loves her Indian shop keepers.) I love going to little shops along the road and/or getting my gas pumped because those people are always ready to just chat with you. They are the ones who will never forget you, either. For instance, I used to live close to an area where these 2 people set up their rotee stand, so I maybe went 2 or 3 times to get a banana rotee. Tons of farangs (westerns) are in that area and I’m sure come to them. Since I moved, it had been months since I had been to that stand. A few weeks ago I decided to stop and get a rotee. When the lady looked up and saw me she practically flipped out….”It has been so long since you have come! Where were you? Do you still live here?” (all in Thai of course) So precious! When I started talking to her she was even more excited because she had met me when I first came and barely knew Thai, and now I could have a real convo. with her. She was so encouraging! Talk about feeling loved! I could not believe she remembered me, but then again, it’s rare for them to meet a western that they can either look in the eyes of or look down on…haha. I am Thai size! But that is small shop life–they won’t forget you and are so kind. I love any chance I can go to a little shop and order food just to talk. I love when the people who pump my gas ask me where I’m headed and then talk to me. It is great business technique on someone like myself because I’ll come back to them just to chat with them. It makes my heart so happy I tip them then, too! haha I mean, really, how often does that happen in America? Yes, the coffee shop may know your order so that you don’t even have to order but do they flip out when you walk in and start talking with you instantly? Maybe some on a rare occasion, but I can’t say I’ve ever experienced it as frequently as I do living here in Thailand and I LOVE it!!
(Sorry…no special pics. I was thinking I really need to take my camera next time I get my tire fixed…seems to be a common problem for me! 
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You’re awesome, Steph. I loved this post.
Thanks, Kyle!!