Had to explain my job to a confused customs officer in Bangkok last week

I mean, I was just trying to get my passport stamped and he kept asking if I was a tourist or a businessman, and when I said I work online from my laptop he looked at me like I'd said I was an astronaut, idk maybe it's just me but has anyone else had a weird time explaining the whole digital nomad thing to officials?

3 comments

3 Comments

ivan8732mo ago

Trying to explain that you get paid through the internet is a whole thing. Last time I just said "computer stuff" and they nodded like it made perfect sense, which is probably worse.

charles3262mo ago

Yeah "computer stuff" is the perfect vague answer that makes older folks feel like they get it without actually getting it. My grandma pictures me fixing printers all day. I tried saying "online marketing" once and she asked if I sell those knives on TV. Now I just say I help companies with their websites and change the subject fast.

jakerivera1mo ago

Honestly, at this point I just say I'm a "professional email sender" and hope they move on. The look of total confusion when you mention working online is kind of amazing (and a little sad). My go-to is telling border folks I do "internet paperwork," which sounds boring enough to stop further questions. It's easier than trying to explain that no, I don't have a real office, and yes, the whole company is just a bunch of people on Slack. You can see the exact moment they decide it's not worth the headache to understand.