They’re a ten overseas but a dud on home soil.
The term “losers back home” has entered the vernacular following the season three premiere of HBO’s “The White Lotus,” during which the term is used to seek advice from the proliferation of “bald, white guys” in Thailand.
Defined as a “stereotype of the older, wealthy, bald white male…who retires to Thailand with a much younger wife,” the name “LBH” has stirred up controversy amongst men living overseas, with some expats angered by the moniker.
An Australian YouTuber named Sam, who operates under the channel name “Gone Adrift,” claimed the series’ one-liner was “upsetting expats.”
In reality, Sam, who now resides in Thailand, said he felt “personally affronted” by the remark.
He admitted to “absolutely” being “a loser back home” — saying he performed poorly at school, didn’t go to traditional university and his profession was not financially rewarded — but insisted that the term didn’t apply to each expat.
A lot of his friends who relocated to Thailand were “very achieved” of their home countries prior to moving, he clarified.
“I’m blissful to just accept that term, but I I’m not blissful to just accept the notion that anyone who decides to go away their country within the west and move to Thailand or every other country all over the world is routinely a loser,” Sam said.
“Proud ‘LBH’ here having fun with life with my Thai wife in Thailand,” commented one viewer, while one other said they “get the entire LBH mentality” and “happily fit the bill.”
On TikTok, creator Travis Leon addressed the “‘loser back home’ insult,” saying his “issue” with the term is that it’s a “generalization.”
He argued that, while he can see where the insult can have come from due to “bad characters,” many individuals move to other countries to explore latest opportunities and cultures.
“Most times that I’ve seen this insult typically come from folks that have chosen a more traditional, conventional path in life,” he said in a past video.
“They live closer to home, they appear just generally unhappy of their life, in order that they hate on people online.”
“I wish to call them ‘losers stuck at home,’” he quipped.
On Instagram, one content creator from Thailand approached “bald white guys” at a neighborhood bar in Bangkok to ask their opinions on the phrase.
One man argued that “guys are going through sacrifice to make everyone else look good for the time being,” further claiming that individuals imagine “men are the worst thing.” Men, he added, are “being preyed upon.”
When asked if he felt “more attractive” in Thailand than back home within the UK, the anonymous man — who described himself as short, bald and tattooed — said yes, because “in England, you’re just classed like someone who just got out of prison.”
“White, bald, short guys are amazing!” he cheered.
