Fast Eddie

One or two small items looks okay. Much more than that and people start to look very tacky, very quickly.

But again, as I've already clearly stated in other replys, the bottom line is that in my opinion there is a built-in desire for men to provide financially for women. Hate it all you want, but nothing you do or say will change it. It's nature/biology at work.

I think you are incorrect. As far as i'm aware this has nothing to do with biology. It's easy to say that, in order to justify your feelings on the matter, but it sounds like some people need to do this in order to increase their feeling of self worth, and in order to retain a sense of control in the relationship. I don't know anyone who feels the way you do, nor do i know anyone who wants to be valued by their partner because of how much money they give them. In fact quite the opposite usually, and this is down to people believing in their own value as a unique personality. You assert that men want to be a 'knight in shining armour' rescuing a 'damsel in distress'. This might make you feel good about yourself, but to attribute it to an inbuilt biological urge is just wrong. Most men do not feel this need, but if it works for you then i'm not going to knock it.

Cah Machine - Hard-Fi

The conclusion would appear to be true as a generalisation. The people of the world have long since voted on this. Association football is far and away the most popular sport in the world, and you have to assume that this is for a reason.

i had a mate who "before" he went away travelling, "had" to get his tongue pierced and a couple of tatts done... cos - and i quote "because im off travelling and i wanna look the part"

Whilst backpackers come in all shapes and sizes, i think the behaviour and appearance of the ones that DJPat, and others, are talking about is best summed up by the above quote.

A lot of people have an innate need to fit in and associate themselves with some group or other, and this consequently gives rise to the comical stereotype that most of us have laughed at, at some stage. They arrive with an idea of what they want to be, 'a backpacker', and then look around to see what backpackers wear and how they act (by observing Khao San Road), and then the metamorphosis starts to occur. Some of those who are more serious about it undergo the change prior to arrival. It is a very true stereotype of a prominent subgroup of backpackers, and it's okay to laugh and take the piss (but not to verbally abuse them or beat them up ). Many of them are okay, but i have met many who give the annoying impression that they look down on you if you don't conform to their stereotype.

When i first travelled in Thailand i arrived with a backpack in toe, but was quick to disassociate myself from the dreadlocked, fisherman's pants crowd. Not my scene, but each to their own, i'm sure they have an enjoyable time, and like other posters have said, they're bound to get more from the experience than sitting around at home.

Go and spend a few months in each of the countries and see for yourself. Very difficult to make the best decision for you any other way.

The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff

I think Essian is too much of a thug, he's got away with so far, Chelsea look better without Lampard than Liverpool look without Gerrard tho,

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That's because Lampard is not of the same standard as Gerrard, regardless of what concocted world awards say. When Gerrard is out Liverpool miss him all over the pitch, from a defensive and attacking, creative, goalscoring point of view. Lampard, as good as he is, literally plays as a second striker and doesn't have half the responsibility that Gerrard has in the midfield. Gerrard is Liverpool's driving force, their playmaker, their inspiration. Lampard is a prolific goalscorer who keeps possession well.

Okay, i kind of get it

Now playing....

Stop Crying Your Heart Out - Oasis

In memory of a dear departed friend

My favourite is the standard , excellent for conveying general pleasantry and lightheartedness.

As for this

It's called Dave, but does anyone know &lt;deleted&gt; it's for?

What's the difference between this thread and the other one? I'm confused....

How's the girlfriend back in MapleLand?

Did you wish her a merry Xmas ?

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I would imagine she long since entered the realms of distant memory.

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No doubt to busy with all the candy!

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Or maybe too busy with this Wayn

How's the girlfriend back in MapleLand?

Did you wish her a merry Xmas ?

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I would imagine she long since entered the realms of distant memory.

In the past, when eczema was still a problem for me, I always found that my problem areas with eczema (mainly wrists and hands) cleared up completely while in Thailand.

I agree with the professor, it's no use pussyfooting around these louts. The moment a drunk person so much as looks in your direction you should launch a pre-emptive attack, a firm elbow flush in the face followed by a swift kick to the throat.

It's the only way to deal with these hooligans.

Come on Jesse, you can do better than that. What sort of weak arse, half hearted effort to initiate a discussion about your travels is this?

Give us the meat, or is this just a tease, the prelude to an epic the like of which would have Virgil feverishly grasping for the nearest quill.

Your patient audience awaits....

Tuk tuk's are cheaper than taxis to obtain and run/maintain, so it stands to reason there are plenty of them about, with drivers trying to scratch out a living. If i want to go a short distance and there is no taxi immediately waiting for me, but there is a tuk tuk, then i have no qualms about using the tuk tuk. For short distances it is rarely more expensive than a taxi anyway. I imagine that many people feel the same, hence a steady stream of business.

Hey brit its definately the money. It happens in africa too that young guys wanna hook up on some old rich woman. And it even happens in western countries too. I think you are really being naive if you think they do it for the culture difference, love or anything else cliche.

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That is interesting.

Is there a place famous for rich old western ladies picking up jigaloes? Do the guys who date/make love to these old heiresses get a lot of money?

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I've heard that the Caribbean is very popular, and by their standards i do believe they are reasonably reimbursed.

I saw a program on television once that involved this old lady who had fallen in love with some young Jamaican lad, nipping over there for holidays all the time and sending him money. Her intention was to try and bring him back to the UK.

She was just as deluded as to the reasons for this young lads affections as some of the 18.2 stone, bald, physically repugnant elderly gentlemen that you find lumbering around various haunts in Bangkok, Pattaya and all other manner of exotic locations .

Guess what? It turns out that what young Jamaican men are really attracted to is old, saggy women. I even heard him say it himself. Must be true

No bull

Pisses all over Pratchett and his pretentious obsessive weirdo fans as well!

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Yeah, what's with those guys?

Unfortunately, a night out in the tourist hot spots of Thailand is fraught with the peril of encountering one of these monsters. Although, as has been said, their predictable behaviour and need to herd together means that one can avoid the ruffians by exercising just a little imagination, when choosing ones venue.

If you use it too long - most of the high nuke powered tanning beds recommend 9-12min of exposure.

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Sounds like a man with extensive experience in this field....

Maybe it should be Brit 'perma tan' Maveric, from now on

Last three books read -

'Novel Without a Name' by Duong Thu Huong

'The Story Of My Life' by Giacomo Casanova

'Spring Snow' by Yukio Mishima

I find Fanta Rood quite amusing at times. His writing style is very reminscent of that eurasian/Vladimir Jugovic chap, who appeared a couple of weeks ago and got banned twice after about thirty minutes of 'radical' ranting. Maybe his alter egos?

Having said that, i do have an unusual sense of humour at times.

Is he a troll? An interesting question.

I think i'll take a pass on those

They should be outside with a football, jumpers for goalposts and wincing from the pain of an ill advised sliding tackle on the tarmac. A far healthier lifestyle than being glued to a computer screen all day lost in a fantasy world, while filling their faces with soft drinks and junk food.