Use of the terms "boy" and "boyfriend"
Re: Use of the terms "boy" and "boyfriend"
And be careful of titling photos "boys" on computers, Pads and phones on returning to the USA. Whenever I tell a customs agent that I live in Thailand, I am usually moved to a special line and frequently they go through everything.
Re: Use of the terms "boy" and "boyfriend"
In that I do agree with you, Dodger. Some years ago at a gay bar in USA I was talking with someone about my adventures with "boys" in Thailand. The guy was horrified and said, "do not let anyone hear you mention "boys". I tried to explain but he,nor anyone else, did not want to listen to my explanation. I learned my lesson!Dodger wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2019 9:26 am To your point, I always avoided using the term "boy" when back in the U.S. In general conversations with friends and family members about Thailand, I would simply use terms like "guys" or girls". In my Email communications with friends back in Thailand I would do the same, for the mere fact the term "boy" could potentially be misinterpreted in western culture as meaning an underage guy as you suggested.
Re: Use of the terms "boy" and "boyfriend"
As recent posts suggest, the term "boy" is not only demeaning, it can also be misleading and even dangerous.
Re: Use of the terms "boy" and "boyfriend"
Fountainhall, the customs agents are probably looking for DRUGS.fountainhall wrote: ↑Thu Aug 08, 2019 9:34 am Whenever I tell a customs agent that I live in Thailand, I am usually moved to a special line and frequently they go through everything.
For several years, I traveled quite frequently between Amsterdam, Berlin, Dubai, New York, and Mexico City for business and work, and to Bangkok for any vacation time I had.
After looking at the stamps in my passport, the New York agents often pulled me from the line, and had the sniffer dogs go through my luggage.
Once, a sniffer dog became so excited that he got an erection sniffing my stuff, and barked and barked. After carefully going through all my luggage, the customs agents found several bags of jasmine tea, which must have confused the sniffer dogs. [Lesson if you are travelling from Bangkok to NY, do NOT put jasmine tea bags in your luggage.]
Re: Use of the terms "boy" and "boyfriend"
Frankly I don't think so. When they turn on my laptop, iPad and phone, there are no sniffer dogs around. They are definitely looking for underage porn. US customs agents have quite a reputation for this.
I have only once had my luggage thoroughly searched - and that was after a flight from New York to Glasgow's old international airport at Prestwick. The lady was very polite but she even went through my toothpaste. When I asked why I was being searched, she said she was not supposed to tell me, but she had noticed many entry stamps to Thailand and so she was checking for drugs. That was before sniffer dogs began to be used!
Re: Use of the terms "boy" and "boyfriend"
Fountainhall, are you that old?
Haven't sniffer dogs been used for at least 60 years or so? Perhaps my memory is mistaken, but I vaguely remember sniffer dogs being used at airports when I traveled as a child--60+ years ago.
Re: Use of the terms "boy" and "boyfriend"
In a recent post, Dodger suggested a few alternative terms to "boyfriend":
Dodger wrote: "My boyfriend (partner, manfriend, soul mate, boy toy, or whatever suits you) and I plan to take a one week trip to Chiang Mai later in October>"
Dodger wrote: "My boyfriend (partner, manfriend, soul mate, boy toy, or whatever suits you) and I plan to take a one week trip to Chiang Mai later in October>"
Re: Use of the terms "boy" and "boyfriend"
You are wrong. A couple of years ago in Amsterdam, I was the object of attention of a sniffer dog. I told the master I had no drugs, and he replied, not looking for drugs but for cash ! and I had a wad of small denominations $ for a further trip in Cambodia. Which was well below the limit.
Re: Use of the terms "boy" and "boyfriend"
One of the benefits of automatic passport control booths....no nosy passport officer going through your rubber stamps.fountainhall wrote: ↑Fri Aug 09, 2019 8:04 pm When I asked why I was being searched, she said she was not supposed to tell me, but she had noticed many entry stamps to Thailand
I remember one young over keen guy in Auckland going through mine followed by an unwarranted baggage search. It left a bad taste.