I’ve been an entrepreneur for over a decade and have spent a good chunk of that time living and working in Southeast Asia—Thailand and Vietnam, mainly. During these years, I’ve come across all sorts of Westerners who’ve made the leap to “digital nomad life.” Most of the time, these folks are perfectly decent. They’re pursuing their dreams and trying to build an online business or freelance career. That’s cool. But lately, I’ve been hearing more and more complaints from my local friends, neighbors, and business colleagues. They see digital nomads come in droves, and they’re tired of a few nagging issues that keep popping up.
Let’s dive into the uncomfortable truths about Western digital nomads that locals in Southeast Asia are just sick of. I’m not out to bash anyone—remember, I’m writing from a place of love for this region. But if we’re going to live, work, and thrive here, we need to address the elephant in the room.
1. The “Cheap Paradise” Mentality
One of the biggest problems is the way some digital nomads flaunt the low cost of living. They talk about how cheap everything is, how they can live “like a king” on very little money. Let’s be real: it’s true that living expenses in Thailand, Vietnam, or other neighboring countries can be much lower than in New York, London, or Sydney. But when digital nomads keep talking about how “cheap” everything is, it sends the wrong message.
Locals hear “cheap” and think, “My home is just a bargain bin to these people?” Often, this mentality creates an odd dynamic—like you’re living in a Disneyland made for Westerners looking to stretch their dollars. But to the Thai or Vietnamese shop owners, restaurant staff, or taxi drivers, this isn’t a vacation spot; it’s their real life. Their families have to pay rent, buy groceries, and deal with the daily grind.
When you boast about how low the prices are, it might feel good to your wallet, but it also risks belittling local economies. And trust me, locals see it, hear it, and roll their eyes. They’re tired of their country being treated like an “ultra-discount paradise.” A little more respect and sensitivity go a long way.
2. Lack of Cultural Understanding
Another issue that keeps cropping up is the lack of genuine curiosity or care for local culture. Of course, not every nomad is like this, but many just skim the surface. They try the street food, snap a few pictures at a Buddhist temple or local market, and call it a day. When locals see that you’re not truly interested in learning their customs or language, they feel disappointed—and sometimes resentful.
I’ve been in Southeast Asia for years, and I’m still learning the languages (Vietnamese is famously tough for Westerners, and Thai can have its own complexities). But the point is to try. Locals appreciate the effort. They see you’re not just here to exploit the climate and affordability—you’re also trying to connect on a deeper level.
If you spend six months in Chiang Mai or Ho Chi Minh City and never pick up even basic phrases, you might come off as indifferent. It suggests you see the local culture as a backdrop rather than the heart of where you’re living. Again, not every digital nomad is guilty of this, but the ones who don’t make any effort end up painting all Westerners with the same negative brush.
3. The Entitlement Factor
One of the uglier sides of this situation is entitlement. Some digital nomads waltz into a country and assume they can do whatever they want because they’re spending money. They complain if a local business owner doesn’t speak fluent English, or if certain rules apply to foreigners. They sometimes act like they’re above local laws, ignoring things like visa regulations. That can cause a whole host of problems for the locals and the digital nomad community at large.
If you’re a visitor in someone’s country, you should follow their rules. That’s just common sense, but some people think they’re an exception. Maybe they were frustrated by bureaucracy back home, so they assume they can bend the rules in Southeast Asia. But that kind of attitude really grinds on locals, who don’t have the luxury of ignoring red tape or paying a fine and walking away. Entitlement can be a relationship killer between digital nomads and the communities they live in.
4. Echo Chambers & Lack of Integration
So many digital nomads end up staying in their own bubbles—co-working spaces, expat cafes, and Facebook groups where they only mingle with other Westerners. There’s nothing inherently wrong with connecting with people who share similar experiences, but if you never break out of the expat bubble, you miss out on the authentic life and culture of your host country.
Locals see these tightly sealed bubbles and wonder why these visitors don’t want to integrate. It can create a “them vs. us” atmosphere. Of course, locals also have their own social circles, but there’s a difference between making an effort and not caring at all. A big reason locals love having visitors from around the world is the chance to engage in cultural exchange. When that exchange doesn’t happen, it feels like a missed opportunity—and it can breed resentment.
5. Inappropriate Behavior & Partying
Let’s face it: the beach parties in Phuket, the nightlife in Bangkok, the rooftop bars in Saigon—Southeast Asia is often sold as a party destination. But problems arise when some Western nomads take it too far. They get drunk, cause disturbances, or walk around dressed in ways that might be acceptable on Khao San Road but not in a local neighborhood.
Locals are tired of dealing with the aftermath: noise, disrespect to cultural norms (like modesty in temples), and sometimes even petty crimes. When a subset of nomads behave badly, it creates a negative stereotype of all foreigners. And that includes digital nomads who are trying their best to live respectfully. So, if you’re going to indulge in the nightlife, at least be aware of local norms. You might be on holiday mode, but for the family living next door, this is their home, year-round.
6. Short-Term Gains vs. Long-Term Impact
Digital nomads often talk about living a “free and flexible lifestyle.” But the flip side is that there’s little accountability for the long-term impact on local economies or communities. If you’re just passing through for three months, you may not care about how your presence influences housing costs for locals, or how your behavior can change local customs.
Landlords might start jacking up rental prices when they see foreigners willing to pay more, driving out local tenants. Shops might cater to foreign tourists instead of locals. That can lead to gentrification, where locals feel squeezed out of their own neighborhoods. It’s a complicated issue, but the sad truth is that many nomads aren’t there long enough to care about these repercussions. Meanwhile, the locals who’ve lived there for generations bear the brunt of these changes.
7. The “I’m Here to Save You” Attitude
One thing that really grinds my gears—and the gears of many locals I’ve talked to—is the patronizing “white savior” or “Western savior” attitude. It shows up when nomads try to give unsolicited advice about “improving” local business practices, or assume that local people need help to do things “the right way.”
In reality, Asian cultures have been thriving for centuries with their own methods and traditions. Yes, there might be a time and place for sharing new ideas, but waltzing in and telling people how to do things can come across as extremely arrogant. It suggests you view local knowledge as inferior. Locals notice this attitude right away, and it’s a huge turn-off.
Conclusion: Moving Forward with Respect
So, what’s the bottom line? We’re not saying all Western digital nomads are the same. Nor are we saying that locals are perfect. After all, every place has its own complexities. The point is that many locals are fed up with certain behaviors they see repeatedly from digital nomads—behaviors that come across as entitled, disrespectful, or ignorant.
If you want to set up shop in Southeast Asia—whether it’s Thailand, Vietnam, or anywhere else—do it right. Learn a bit of the language. Respect local laws and customs. Don’t treat the place like it’s on sale just for you. And maybe most importantly, try to connect with the local community beyond just paying them for services. If you’re going to be part of this ecosystem, then really be a part of it.
I speak from experience. I’ve been an entrepreneur living between these countries for over ten years. I’ve witnessed the good that can happen when foreigners and locals genuinely connect—new friendships, cultural exchanges, and real business collaborations. But I’ve also seen the destructive side, where people become more like tourists who never leave, always taking and rarely giving back.
The uncomfortable truth is that many Western digital nomads are, in some ways, out of touch. Locals are tired of feeling like they’re just backdrop characters in someone else’s “tropical freedom” story. They want authentic relationships and mutual respect. If we’re going to continue living in these wonderful places and benefiting from what they offer, we owe it to the locals—and ourselves—to do better.
So let’s drop the entitlement, the bubbles, and the cheap paradise attitude. Let’s make an effort, learn, and show real respect. Because if we don’t, this golden era of digital nomad living could fade just as quickly as it came—and that wouldn’t be good for anyone, local or foreign.
