From Bangkok Post

It’s “Jingern Ben” time again In Thailand (Jingle Bells to the uninitiated), but one suspects there wont be too much jingling going on this year. A bit of whistle-blowing, perhaps.

But with all the gloomy news of late, the festive season is something of a relief before we return to grim reality. We might as well enjoy the Jingern Ben break, as we cant escape lt. It’s the time of the year you find yourself wearing silly hats and singing even sillier songs. Even the lady teller at my bank was sporting some cute bunny rabbit ears. The department store girls are doing their bit as usual, donning Santa hats and wilting antlers and having to put up with mind-numbing festive music.

Anyway, let’s all at least act In a jovial fashion, even If those hangovers mean you don’t feel the least bit jovial, because the coming year Is unlikely to be a bundle of laughs.

Toys are not us

One thing noticeable this festive season Is that the traditional toy sections of the department stores and malls are decidedly quiet.

In past years they used to be overrun by screaming Kids and stressed-<Jut parents. Of course there has been a major change In what children want for presents and It’s not what you find In traditional toy shops.

The jolly days of Toys R Us seem to have been usurped by Phones 4u.

I wandered through a deserted toy section the other afternoon and there were dozens of Barbie dolls on the shelf gathering dust and looking quite forlorn. I suspect they have already been stuck on that particular shelf for some years. Toy cars, trains, spaceships and plastic dinosaurs looked equally lonely. Even those Transformer robot things that were hugely popular a few years ago seem to be ignored.

And as for board games, they must be candidates for the museum.

When I asked a sales girl If they stocked any jigsaw puzzles, she almost fainted In shock at such a weird request. At least the cuddly toys still had a few customers.

Cooling off

Even the Thai weather has got Into the Christmas spirit with temperatures plunging everywhere from Bangkok to Burl Ram.

Tourists who venture out In the morning might find It a bit odd to see the locals burled under sweaters and jackets In weather they would normally associate with going to the beach. But by Thai standards, It’s definitely been a bit on the chilly side_ a shiver-Inducing 18C in the Big Mango. What more can you say? Brrrr!

Even that fellow leading the street protests In the Bangkok looked like he could have done with a mug of hot Bovril the other morning. Speaking of which, the cool weather Is certainly a relief from all the hot air that’s been fioating around the past month. But there could well be a steep rise In temperature today, not necessarily on the thermometer.

Fashionable weather

Arguably the most significant role of the cooler weather Is that It allows Thai citizens, particularly the ladles, the chance to wear something a bit different. After all, It gets a bit boring walking around In short sleeves and light clothes all year round. It Is at least an opportunity to give the old sua naow (sweater) an airing, or even better, an excuse to buy a new one even If It will only be worn for a few days.

Admittedly some overdo It and look like they are heading off for an Arctic expedition, when their closest encounter with anything cold will be air-conditioning at the local mall.

Faraway places …

Sending a Christmas card earlier this week, I received a reminder that geography Is perhaps not the most popular subject In Thai schools. The card was addressed to relatives In Grand Cayman, part of the Cayman Islands In the Caribbean.

I went to a nearby branch of the post office In Bangkok and handed the card to the young fellow in charge. He examined It, scratched his head , looked quizzical and asked me: ‘Where?”

“Grand Cayman,” I replied chirpily. “It’s In the Caribbean.” “America?” he asked.

“Not really America,” I said, “but not far away, just below Cuba.” That was a mistake. “Europe?” he suggested.

“No,” I replied, desperately trying to think what might help.”

‘West Indies,” I offered, rather hopefully. Again, that was a mistake. “Ah, India,” he said. It was back to square one.

…w”h strange-sounding names

I then spotted a faded outline of a world map painted on the wall behind him and walked over and pointed to Cuba. “It’s near here,” I said.

He was not convinced and asked his colleagues If anyone was familiar with Grand Cayman. No one had heard of the place and they were all laughing their heads off. I was obviously a total madman who had dreamed up this mysterious country.

In the end I conceded defeat, had a good laugh and paid for a stamp. I’ll be Intrigued to discover If the card actually makes it.

And on that note I would like to wish all readers a Happy Jingern Ben season. And a final thought: If you have to give a present to someone you don, really like, a cuckoo clock is not a bad idea. It can be really irritating.

For more on this story go to:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/opinion/opinion/386084/welcome-to-the-season-of-silly-hats-and-hangovers