Why is the entire staff at California Wow fitness centers in Bangkok rude

[Chris]

to foreigners? I am a foreigner that works out at California Wow fitness in Bangkok. About 99% of the members are Thai, but I know some of the other foreigners that work out there. After chatting with them, we've realized that we all have noticed the same thing; the staff is rude to all of us.

A list of some of our observations:

The staff at reception will smile and chat with Thai members. They will do neither with us foreigners.
The staff on the floor will smile and chat with Thai members. They will do neither with us foreigners.
The staff on the floor will give exercise advice to Thai members. They won't do that for foreigners.
The staff on the floor will assist Thai members during exercises. They won't do that for foreigners.

And don't think that it's because they don't speak English. When I first went in to inquire about a membership and take a look around, many of them seemed quite friendly and spoke English very well. On my first day of fitness, a staff member showed me exercises, gave me advice, took my biometrics(height, weight, body fat index, etc.) He was very friendly. After that, he tried to sell me a personal trainer package. I was apprehensive so another friendly guy with great English skill joined him, but I never bought the package. I see these two regularly, but they've never since said "hello." This same story was confirmed with the other foreigners I've talked to.

But don't get me wrong. Other Thai members at the club are very nice and friendly, smile and say hello. And some offer to assist or provide workout tips. So it's not Thais in general, it's the Thai staff. Does anyone know enough about Thai business culture to understand why the Thai staff, but not Thai members, are rude to foreigners? Could it be that they want to keep the club as Thai as can be, and discourage foreigners from working out there? I just don't get it. Like I said, the other foreigners I know there have noticed the same thing, so it's not just me. At first I thought it might be just me, but they all say the same things.

Any ideas?

 

[Ann]

Don't you worry about a thing...not only foreigners get that kind of a sick attitude. I get that all the time from the Thais. They normally give me that ugly look from my split ends to the tip of my toes. I don't look much of a regular Thai, I guess. Now that I'm 40...I just don't give a d--n anymore. I'm sorry for what those people do to you.

EDIT: Immigration...hahaha...not only in provinces you get that. I get that even at the airport. I always greet them first...but I get no respond. Many times, I get a$$ faces back...until they open my passport and see my last name...that when it kinda makes them smile a bit.
Anyway...here in Argentina...I get the same thing...sometimes worse...and almost everyday. So it kinda gets my attention...is it cuz the two countries are the third world countries (or like most of you call it 'developing countries') that's why most of the people are the way they are (we are)? I think they (we) need to develop our mind and attitude, too.

 

[spanky]

My guess would be that they have been subject to some rude, steroid hopped-up aggressive farang in the past who unfortunately gave you a bad rep - and Thai are proud and don't take shit - though they will make an exception to do their job and try and sell a product - they likely have come in contact with some assholes [ and lets face it - there are some assholes here ] - I am not trying to knock farang in general but it would answer the question -

@prag - I have been to many different immigration offices in different provinces and they have always been very polite and helpful when needed. Which does not mean that I have not witnessed what you are talking abt w/low level, hot shot officials - I just don't think that sounds like it in this case.

@prag - that's not nice - I do the mail in w/no problems - do you have to make a visa run? or just go into the korat office?

 

[Pragmatic]

I find Korat immigration office to be the same. Incidentally my Thai wife agrees with me. We put it down to power control. Thais, in a position of power/purpose, see themselves as superior and like to wave their sticks, so to speak. It really puts me off people here that have a position of power and I always let the wife do the talking as she knows how to suck up to them.
I don't think that it's just a farang thing. They do it to their own as well. You just may not have witnessed it.

Edit. 'Spanky', Korat are the only immigration office in Thailand that WILL NOT allow 90 day reports by post. This results in expats having to do a 5 hour, round trip, journeys 4 times a year. That's how helpful they are !! http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/488409-korat-immigation/

Edit. I'm on an 12 month extention married to a Thai. I do the 90 day report in person, but may as well do a visa run as the border is closer.