So you want to come to Thailand and visit us in Pattaya? Well we would love to have you. Before you come though you need to practice saying no in a mirror, because when you get here you will be surrounded by people trying to sell you stuff. In malls, stores and streets people are always trying to get your attention, and more importantly, get your baht. You will be stopped by a sweet lady with a bunch of t-shirts, and soon as you say no to her, there is a man shaking your hand calling you "boss" and inviting you into his tailor shop where he wants to sell you a nice suit. Yeah, i'm in Thailand and it feels like +40, i really do need a suit. As soon as you move past him there is a street vendor with Thai food and another one with fruits calling your name. You say to them Mai ow (my ow) which means "I don't want that". You buy some food and sit on a bench to eat it and a child with flowers approaches you, and then a girl with a rack of hats, and a guy selling thai lottery tickets. I couldn't keep the money even if I won so why are you selling me that. You figure that you will be better off walking along the beach then in the market, but here you go again. Friendly thai people by the bunches approach you with a plethora of items for you to buy, including beach loungers, boat rides, parasailing coupons, food, fruit, jet ski rentals and scuba diving packages. Mai ow. Mai ow. MAI OW. The problem is that these people are so friendly, and so willing to serve you to make sure you have everything you need that you can't really get mad at them. So you just smile, and make a habit of saying, Mai ow with a smile on your face so not to offend. So again, we would love to have you come and visit us, but get ready to say no alot as we take you into the streets and markets. And when you do say yes to these people and buy something from them, they smile at you, thank Buddha for the blessing of the sale, then move on the next person. The thing of it is this: as much as it gets tiring saying no and trying to walk in peace, it is one of the many amazing things that makes this feel like such a warm and inviting country. I wouldn't change it if I could.