1FinickyOne

if it is correct - just pay it - keep your life clean and simple.

The reason to buy local is that you can go to them for service... if you have a problem.

It is individual - isn't that obvious? I travelled a lot many years ago - trust me, it was very different than it is now. Your wants and needs will change when you get older. You do understand that right?

And I am sure your bank would gladly F*** you too. everything is transactional? I have a personal bank account but everything else here is in my wife's name... I am sure that gives her lots of security and there are no strings attached... and if I have to walk out tomorrow that is ok...

If you are in a position to define poor - you are not poor... It simply means not having money for basic necessities - if you are thinking of it in a comparative sense - your friend has a Mercedes and 5 iPhones and you just drive a Camry - yeah, that is not poor.

That's ok - - if you visit fantasyland and want to take Minnie Mouse home and have her stay in character, they are paying for a service, as it should be... This is one of the services Pattaya provides. Not many places in the world that are like this.

I think you have never been poor. A Thai lady from a poor family worries about her entire family - and wants that security for all of them. She is not so worried about richer people things like mobility and freedom.

Why is that? That was one of the first things I did for my wife - - so, that she would have security for the rest of her life.... If you can't afford it, that is one thing... but I hope she knew before as it is quite common the world over that a husband will provide a home for their wife - and hopefully a permanent one...

and you are against someone exercising their best option? and becoming the envy of their friends and neighbors in the village?

zero for me too - - though I did have a very nice vacation at the Marriot Resort at the north end of. the island... but that was because the resort is self contained and beautiful...

why would everything be in her name? That doesn't sound very smart anywhere in the world -

If you go to Pattaya etc... the cliches are mostly right - probably... but there are actually other places in Thailand that are not Pattaya and Phuket... [can you imagine that?] I live in both Central and Northern Thailand - the wives of most all of my friends are devoted to their husbands and families... what else did you think I meant? These are not working girls with "pretend" husbands, though I have seen that too. A couple of guys seem to have maid w/privileges relationships, though most of the people I know have real relationships with concern and compromise and sharing and togetherness - true life partners.

I am going to go out on a limb here - - I don't think they are drinking for their health

But that is the cost of a new one.. yours is both 2nd hand and damaged - - how much could that be worth?

Doesn't that tell you something? They don't have money... I think the legal fees will likely be more than the loss.

Famous cliches - - - You get out of life what you put into it... yes, there are ladies who perform wifey services for a fee - - but I also know many farang here who have lovely and devoted wives... which does not mean that they don't want money too - - pretty much everyone wants money - right? Try and live your life outside the cliches, if you want...

yes, that is exactly what I want - suggestions based on movies I like...

What do you have to offer?

or maybe Nina adds some emphasis

through my years here I have questioned the ideas of saving Australia... but live and let live, I guess...

not always - and most bargirls think of it as something they did for a short while to help their family... and no, I didn't marry a bar girl but I do have compassion

Of course they do... I have been living in remote locations in Thailand for 25 years...

But it is the fact that such an accepting countrywide culture, makes it not only possible but likely that a few port towns will welcome sailors of all stripes... no?

Don't knock money, you can trade it for great seafood.

Yeah, life is tough these days... I find myself complaining about the maid and gardeners... why can't life just go on as I imagine?