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Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos? (Read 200192 times)

JSEA

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Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos?
2^nd Apr, 2011 at 11:38am

Is there anything like this in Laos?

In Thailand people are sometimes called hi-so, or lo-so, meaning they're part of high society (or pretend to be), or low society.

I never noticed it in Laos, but I've only been there for about a week total (and just Vientiane). I'm curious because it really bothers me sometimes here. For example, I've had students see me eating Som Tam Thai (or Tam Lao), and khao nieow, and as they walk past they ask me "Sep ba?". Then they skitter off giggling thinking they made some really funny joke.

The other thing that I've read (but never experienced) is that sometimes if a farang is dating/married to someone who looks lo-so (i.e. darker skin), it can cause problems at work because the co-workers will look down on them.

So is there anything like this in Laos? I didn't really notice anything besides people liking lighter skin over darker skin (but that kinda goes for everywhere in Asia).

« Last Edit: 2^nd Apr, 2011 at 6:52pm by Admin Saovaluck »

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JSEA Full Member Offline I Love Laos! Posts: 141 Bangkok Gender:	Re: Ho-so, Lo-so in Laos? Reply #1 - 2^nd Apr, 2011 at 1:57pm andddd I just realized I said "ho-so" in the title of this thread, lmao. Sorry guys, it's meant to say hi-so.
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Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos?
Reply #2 - 2^nd Apr, 2011 at 6:55pm

I have corrected it to "Hi-So" for you.

Many dark skinned women are happily married to their wonderful husbands in Laos, so not everybody looks at skin colour as an important feature.

The slang term "Hi-So" and "Lo-So" isn't really about one's skin colour, but more about how you act and also how much money you have.

Thailand even have a rock singer called "Sek Loso" for low society, and he made a name for himself.

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JSEA Full Member Offline I Love Laos! Posts: 141 Bangkok Gender:	Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos? Reply #3 - 2^nd Apr, 2011 at 7:05pm Haha, thanks So you're saying it's not really an issue there?
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llX God Member Offline "Absolute power corrupt." Posts: 2685 Gender: Age: 36 Awards: 2	Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos? Reply #4 - 2^nd Apr, 2011 at 8:50pm Everywhere in the world the rich look down on poor. There's high class and low class in Laos. But not as bad as Thailand. It's well known that Bangkok look down and oppressed Lao Isan. When they say "sep ba" when you eat kao niew and papaya salad they're trying of make fun of you.
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JSEA Full Member Offline I Love Laos! Posts: 141 Bangkok Gender:	Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos? Reply #5 - 2^nd Apr, 2011 at 9:35pm I know they're trying to make fun of me, that's why I said it bothered me My small act of defiance is having a Lao flag patch stitched onto my bag that I bring to work, and drinking Beer Lao whenever possible.
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llX God Member Offline "Absolute power corrupt." Posts: 2685 Gender: Age: 36 Awards: 2	Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos? Reply #6 - 2^nd Apr, 2011 at 10:45pm That's funny JSEA . Some rich Lao also look down on other ethnic minority.
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Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos?
Reply #7 - 2^nd Apr, 2011 at 10:49pm

Laos doesn't have any official 'class' systems anymore. We are all pinong. We use kinship terms when speaking or referring to each other, e.g. Brother/sister/uncle/aunty/granpa/grandma etc. You don't just go around calling someone by their name alone, like in the West; unless if they're your equal (same age range). I'm sure this is the same in Siam; but in Laos the extended family is very tight and impotant too!

I think they used to say 'kanoy'. I think it's some kind of royal thing but I have since forgoten the exact meaning. Since the Communist takeover Laos is now a republic. We are all equals. Wink

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llX God Member Offline "Absolute power corrupt." Posts: 2685 Gender: Age: 36 Awards: 2	Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos? Reply #8 - 2^nd Apr, 2011 at 10:57pm Since the Communist takeover Laos is now a republic. We are all equals, poor and underdeveloped you mean. Just kidding.
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Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos?
Reply #9 - 3^rd Apr, 2011 at 3:12am

JSEA, If a westerner is dating or married to someone who looks lo-so, I don't think their co-workers will look down on them in Laos. If they do, then so be it, and don't worry about them. Everybody's got eyes, ears and a nose.

There are more westerners than ever before in Laos, and interracial dating and marriages are on the rise.

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Larb Dip God Member Offline Lao Pride, and No. 1 Lao Pride Admin' fan from NZ! Posts: 1383 Hadxaifong, Vientiane Gender: Age: 37 Awards: 1	Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos? Reply #10 - 3^rd Apr, 2011 at 7:50am Admin Saovaluck wrote on 3^rd Apr, 2011 at 3:12am: There are more westerners than ever before in Laos, and interracial dating and marriages are on the rise. Is this good or bad?
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Admin Saovaluck

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Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos?
Reply #11 - 3^rd Apr, 2011 at 8:45am

It depends on one's personal views. Is it good or bad for you?

I personally think it's good because most westerners based in Laos are educated people who are doing good for the country.

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Larb Dip

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Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos?
Reply #12 - 3^rd Apr, 2011 at 8:53am

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 3^rd Apr, 2011 at 8:45am:

It depends on one's personal views. Is it good or bad for you?

I personally think it's good because most westerners based in Laos are educated people who are doing good for the country.

It doesn't really concern me nang, since I don't reside in Laos.....yet.

How?

You don't really elaborate when giving your opinions.

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Admin Saovaluck

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Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos?
Reply #13 - 3^rd Apr, 2011 at 9:25am

Well, if you care about Laos then perhaps you have your own opinion too.

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Larb Dip

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Re: Hi-so, Lo-so in Laos?
Reply #14 - 3^rd Apr, 2011 at 10:37am

Admin Saovaluck wrote on 3^rd Apr, 2011 at 9:25am:

Well, if you care about Laos then perhaps you have your own opinion too.

Why do you keep doing this to me Valuck?

Why do you keep giving me these cryptic answers? This is akin to answering a question with another.
What am I to make of your answer?
My opinions in what regards?

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