Fat is a type of crazy

Not sure if you are cheap with money but that's an extremely cheap shot at someone doing an important and necessary job in Australia. Pay in Australia for a job like that ain't so bad too. It's not Thailand. Talking about dollars the Australian dollar back above 23 so your predictions many months ago about his short term demise seem to be off.

I work for a large government organisation in Australia and we try and accommodate needs and desires of staff as long as they come to the party in other ways. In Australia something like this would be unlikely as workers generally have more power, get better pay including extra pay on Sundays, and maybe people are easier going. Different for small business with few staff and different if contract specifically required Sunday work. A bit of flexibility from a large organisation can pay dividends in terms of happy and loyal staff. Things appear a bit different in the United States.

I actually think it's a bit harsh. If he was a good worker, and had that one preference, they surely good accommodate him. Could be they didn't buy his reasons and he was a whiner who found excuses for other things too. I suppose it depends on what he signed up to when he started. On the face of it big organisation like that should be able to accommodate such things.

or that court house staff were crying as the verdict was read out

At least acknowledge that your statement 'This is exactly why the 183 day law will eventually be passed.' is better put as 'I think it will eventually be passed'. You say in the past it could be argued that someone was on a long holiday but now the 183 day rule will stop that. I don't think a blanket rule can be fairly or practically applied to retirees spending more than 6 months or 12 months overseas. There are clear examples where people do have a long holiday, or there are other circumstances, and an objective fair review would indicate they are in fact a resident. Grey areas are grey for a reason and a new hard and fast rule needs to make sense. I say it won't happen but feel free to think otherwise.

Original poster. I had to google what TIA means

I think he has declined and it may not be his long term mind as such, but maybe in his attempt to keep the conversation ticking over in the short term, he says things that are a bid weird. I say to all the Biden supporters of which I am one, don't be blindly loyal like the Trump supporters, see that there is a bit of a struggle that is likely to be worse in coming years. A good man whose done amazing things but I say no to 2024 and yes to him holding up the arm of someone to take the reins. If he's up against someone normal in the Republicans I think he'll falter further.

Remember where this started. Because you liked the mother. Sounds like you don't much now. There has to be a better way to catch up with the 5 year old than taking on the whole family. Maybe she wouldn't mind if you caught up and helped the 5 year old after a break up. If she does then leave it all there.

I would note these problems are much less so in wealthier countries such as Australia. People call it a nanny state but a nanny who stops pollution, has rules about food etc, sounds good to me. It has one of those decisions I suppose you have to make assuming you come from a western country - enjoy the country you are in for what it is or be possibly less happy in a western country but be able to believe a bit more in it's government accountability and fairness.

If on a resort it's a different cup of tea. But even in your pool example if are you saying that every step in a pool has to be clearly marked it seems a bit over the top. If I am in a pool I expect there to be a transition from shallow to deep and up to me to make sense of it the first time. But if it is steps leading to the sea surely someone knows it will be potentially slippery and that they need to take care. You would know the tide will mean it may have been wet. It looks like a long set of steps and to say there needs to be permanent lighting on the off chance someone wants to walk at night seems a bit over the top too. Hope he gets better.

Nice if the wife is being a bit more easy going but if you want to stop to take a picture then, unless there is a good reason, stop and take a picture. As a third party it can seem that she may be bit by bit taking control so time to wrest some power back. If safe to do so. Girlfriend said it has been super hot. Wet season not far away hopefully.

Credit card travel insurance on many, if not all, Australian cards is pretty much the same as a purchased policy, i.e. basic, as in not covering risky stuff, but often the exact same policy you buy still the same $ amount, and items, as buying policy direct. I assume it is the same elsewhere but possibly not. On my card I don't need to even purchase ticket with card - simply take card and have cover. So free credit card insurance can be a worthwhile option.

All this talk about having to be boss or be bossed. I don't have a particularly assertive personality. But let my girl try and push me around and she learns quickly it's not going to get her a thing. Could be my first marriage failed because she played some games but I held her accountable and soon it wasn't fun. Point is don't wake up thinking I'm a man and therefore.. blah blah blah. Be yourself, hold your position but allow time for the fact the she may have a point, and if you can't find a common position after a time then leave it there as I and the first wife did on somewhat friendly terms. I sometimes talk about feminism and it's on the basis that women are equal not that they are special or can run roughshod. To the ones thinking of marriage getting a prenup helps you stay confident and to escape with dignity if and when the time comes. Wife got nothing much but a debt paid and Australian citizenship which isn't to shabby but left me with no reason to be bitter and twisted.

You can ask questions but at some point you would have to cop it. Unless you can clearly see they are mucking you about let them do their thing.

Fair point. He was trying a bit hard to impress. Hard for someone like him I imagine to gain traction with so much air taken out of the room by others.

Interest rates are one significant factor and before the decision last week economists from banks and elsewhere were 50 50 whether it would rise or stay the same. Point being if they aren't sure about something a bit more straight forward like that any free advice here will be worth what you paid for it as they say.

Despite all his rage

I had never heard of him but saw him on Bill last week and he seemed that good mix of sanity, and enough principles, while holding on to enough Republican ideals to keep them happy, as long as Trump doesn't go rogue as a third option.

Good on do gooders. In Australia if there air we breathe was dirty, if beaches were covered in rubbish, do gooders would stop it. Here they seem to feel powerless like gentle proles. Maybe it's the same with other aspects of life too.

Age discrimination is when someone in their 50's finds it hard to get a new job. Being concerned about someone starting a term at 82 is using logic and statistics. My concern isn't so much that he is going to get dementia, or that his mind cannot function, or that internally he will suddenly not be a smart politically savvy guy. It is that his communication skills are getting poor and have devolved in the past 5 to 10 years and statistics may indicate it's not going to get better but is likely to get worse. He is also likely to be get more tired and may have more limited mobility. This is a job for PRESIDENT. Of course his Vice Presidential pick will get more scrutiny than ever and with good reason. If he can prove me wrong during 2024, and be able to function as a normal politician with no slurring, short term mind fades, and with a bit of energy, then all power to him.

Suppose the politicians in the upcoming election will decide if there's votes in keeping the farmers and other burners happy or the masses who suffer. The masses have to make it an election issue then something may be done.

Depends what you mean. I don't think letting woman do their thing is an extreme. The fact is I have no choice. But, sure, relationships are not dreamboat equality and we end up taking on some role or other. One party is more intelligent, street wise, strong etc. For me the best opportunity is to start with the premise that a woman is not inferior but a person doing their thing.

Could be correct that some women are living in a way in the west that leaves them unhappy. It may be that traditional relationships have a lot to offer a lot of people. They may like to gather together and hold certain principles and concepts dear. I guess my point is that it is for each of us to work out. Consider that it may not be freedom or control over their lives that is the problem, but say getting it right for work life balance, combining children and career, adapting to the modern world, etc. Difficult for men too.

OK. Past traditions may have worked well in a different world. If it works for you and your spouse in 2023 that is fine. Enjoy. But it seems like you have almost a religious like faith you are right. As has been discussed in the God thread, faith is based on hope or laziness or wishful thinking, as are your ideas. The genie is out of the bottle and women are doing their thing so, unless you are super smart and intelligent and can build a scientific theory why men are best place to control women's freedoms and destinies, I would admit to myself that I am not so smart and concede with dignity that your theories about women's roles are subjective, self serving, and in 2023 potentially immoral.

This topic seems to veer from one extreme to the other. I don't buy that a girl who has sold her body is impure or any of that c r a p. All I say is statistically she may have more difficulties coping with emotions and trust compared to average. But she will likely know people better than others in a different way. Some woman are tough and smart and have a sense of humour and will learn from their past .. others would struggle. How dare anyone belittle people as though they are some sort of trash. To hold up muslim relationships as the gold standard, because men know how to handle women, is depressing. You REALLY think women have a different brain or whatever that they can't fend and stand up and think for themselves. You think it would be fun to cover your body all day in the hot sun while your husband goes off with 10 lovers. See things from a woman's point of view a bit and maybe be happy for them to do their thing. Thai women have a femininity that is a bit lacking elsewhere, but they certainly can be painful, irrational, blank, as any other woman around the world. As others have said it is nice and easy and predictable at 25 to be idealistic while you are likely young attractive and striving for the future, but life does change and you'll see things a little less black and white in the future, including maybe the perfect role and nature of what a woman should be.