OBSERVATIONS: My Thai Fiancee's First 15 Days In USA.

[MauiSteveBKK]

My Thai Finacee' Has Been With Me On Maui, Hawaii for 15 Days Via A K1 Fiancee VISA.

Background: She is 47 yr old, from Tha Bo (35km west of Nong Khai, lived in BKK for 20+ years as professional day trader (SET) and currency trader. Speaks good "broken English". I am 61 yrs old, lived Hawaii 9 years, then Dallas, Texas (Mainland USA) and own businesses in Hawaii. We've been together 2 years, all of the time in Thailand and mostly Bangkok. We will now live 8 mos Hawaii and 4 mos Thailand.

Observations:

+ She absolutely loves the weather, blue sky, clean air. Mild temperature. She can't believe she can drink water from the faucet.

+ We had to go to a restaurant supply store for her to find spoons big enough for her to use to eat.

+ Every store we enter, she buys bowls. For eating. We now have tiny bowls, medium bowls, large bowls, <deleted> gigantic bowls. Every size know to man.

+ As soon as we finish one meal, she talks about the next meal. Same as Thailand.

+ She complains about Big FAT American Men (like me), but I can walk two blocks carrying sacks from food store without stopping to rest. She can't.

+ I never realized how little physical activity she does until now.

+ I did take her to a Thai restaurant where she could talk Thai. She was very happy.

+ Intimacy just as good, if not better, than Thailand.

+ She doesn't understand why she never sees a food cart ... and there are no drains in the restroom (toilet), along with no hose (bidet).

+ She is "hooked" on Bud Light beer. In Thailand, she loved Heineken. Not now.

+ She freaks out at the grocery store, over the produce. She can not believe the size of our tomato, potato, onion, avocado ... everything!

+ She comments often about how nice our walkways are ... even and easy to walk along the sidewalk next to street.

+ She constantly walks to the "wrong side" of our car.

FINAL. I love how she has changed from Thailand. She is learning (and enjoying) how to greet people, be polite, be courteous, hug, and tell people goodbye. Basic Social Graces. She now says things like: "Please" "Thank You". "Nice To Meet You." "What Is Your Name?" "Nice To Have Met You." "Have A Good Day". "See You Soon." "Goodbye and Take Care."

It's Been An Experience!!

Blessings To Each Of You!!

[Sealbash]

My Thai Finacee' Has Been With Me On Maui, Hawaii for 15 Days Via A K1 Fiancee VISA.

Background: She is 47 yr old, from Tha Bo (35km west of Nong Khai, lived in BKK for 20+ years as professional day trader (SET) and currency trader. Speaks good "broken English". I am 61 yrs old, lived Hawaii 9 years, then Dallas, Texas (Mainland USA) and own businesses in Hawaii. We've been together 2 years, all of the time in Thailand and mostly Bangkok. We will now live 8 mos Hawaii and 4 mos Thailand.

Observations:

+ She absolutely loves the weather, blue sky, clean air. Mild temperature. She can't believe she can drink water from the faucet.

+ We had to go to a restaurant supply store for her to find spoons big enough for her to use to eat.

+ Every store we enter, she buys bowls. For eating. We now have tiny bowls, medium bowls, large bowls, <deleted> gigantic bowls. Every size know to man.

+ As soon as we finish one meal, she talks about the next meal. Same as Thailand.

+ She complains about Big FAT American Men (like me), but I can walk two blocks carrying sacks from food store without stopping to rest. She can't.

+ I never realized how little physical activity she does until now.

+ I did take her to a Thai restaurant where she could talk Thai. She was very happy.

+ Intimacy just as good, if not better, than Thailand.

+ She doesn't understand why she never sees a food cart ... and there are no drains in the restroom (toilet), along with no hose (bidet).

+ She is "hooked" on Bud Light beer. In Thailand, she loved Heineken. Not now.

+ She freaks out at the grocery store, over the produce. She can not believe the size of our tomato, potato, onion, avocado ... everything!

+ She comments often about how nice our walkways are ... even and easy to walk along the sidewalk next to street.

+ She constantly walks to the "wrong side" of our car.

FINAL. I love how she has changed from Thailand. She is learning (and enjoying) how to greet people, be polite, be courteous, hug, and tell people goodbye. Basic Social Graces. She now says things like: "Please" "Thank You". "Nice To Meet You." "What Is Your Name?" "Nice To Have Met You." "Have A Good Day". "See You Soon." "Goodbye and Take Care."

It's Been An Experience!!

Blessings To Each Of You!!

It sounds like you are both enjoying yourselves. She is adapting to the culture and society there. That is refreshing after reading multiple posts here where some foreigners think that the Thai culture should adapt to them.

[champers]

Hawaii ain't North Dakota.

[Aussieroaming]

Excellent.....enjoy

[Berkshire]

Lucky for her it's Hawaii. Don't think she could stand the other 49 states.

[MauiSteveBKK]

Thanks Folks!

One Last Thing: She sometimes is a bit "defensive" of Thailand.

She'll say something like: "Well, Thailand has the same as that." (or) "Thailand's is better."

At first, I was arguing back some with her. And would say: "Are you Crazy? In Thailand it's horrible". (something like that)

Now ... I just nod and say "whatever".

[bonobo]

Thanks Folks!

One Last Thing: She sometimes is a bit "defensive" of Thailand.

She'll say something like: "Well, Thailand has the same as that." (or) "Thailand's is better."

At first, I was arguing back some with her. And would say: "Are you Crazy? In Thailand it's horrible". (something like that)

Now ... I just nod and say "whatever".

Smart man.

[somchaismith]

Obviously she's also maintaining that Thai smile.

[tifino]

wait until she's downtown checking out the prices of 'real' Gucci and LV bags

[krisb]

Nice story, all the best!

[Linky]

Great OP. Good on you.

I wouldn't worry about her saying some things are better in Thailand etc. she's just being defensive of her home. She was brought up in Thailand and of course loves her home. We all get defensive of our home.

But good story, made me smile. Good luck

[krisb]

Obviously she's also maintaining that Thai smile.

What exactly does that mean?

[NickJ]

Nice Story....this sounds like it has a good chance of working......just dont import any family members

[dotpoom]

Thanks Folks!

One Last Thing: She sometimes is a bit "defensive" of Thailand.

She'll say something like: "Well, Thailand has the same as that." (or) "Thailand's is better."

At first, I was arguing back some with her. And would say: "Are you Crazy? In Thailand it's horrible". (something like that)

Now ... I just nod and say "whatever".

A real joy to read your post and good luck to the two of you.

I encourage my wife now to feel proud of her country. I'm forever talking about how lovely the countryside and people are when we go on our driving holidays. It does me good to see that little smirk of pride on her face when I see it out of the side of my eye.....I too was too quick to go on knocking the Thai driving skills, their manners and other stuff on the road when it dawned on me one day that she thought I was referring to Thai people in general and that isn't good for anybody, to hear their folk being put down all the time. I felt really rotten about it after.

[FritsSikkink]

" professional day trader (SET) and currency trader."

" She constantly walks to the "wrong side" of our car."

Glad she doesn't do my trade.

[F4UCorsair]

How and where did you meet her Steve?

Soundslike you may be on a winner. Good luck for the future.

[Skytrain2hell]

Great to hear.

Keep in mind, though, that you are going through the honeymoon phase of the move. Around 3 months from now, things will start to get difficult. That's when the real relationship test comes. My wife and I got through it, but it was quite difficult.

Try to get her busy with things. Get her involved with groups...get her a good schedule going. It took my wife a while to get the courage to do things by herself, but you do need that to be functioning, happy adults.

Long story short for us, we moved back to Thailand a year and a half later (mutual decision).

[Dutchbike]

Nice report! All the best to both of you!

I life several years in Thailand but before deciding to move over here, I had my (then) future wife 2 times for a longer period with me in Holland, which I recommend for anyone having a serious relationship with a Thai lady, not a short holiday but several months in a row, which I found pretty useful in our relationship, she now understands much better how it is back in "farangland" where many things are quite different then in LOS.

Edited March 26, 2015 by Dutchbike

[tifino]

"I lonely"

"I bored"

"I want talk my friend(s)"

"I kikyat"

the above are simply default barriers that will go up, and if you don't react badly, will fade eventually...

unless you fail, and reach the next pinnacle:

"you not listen to me"

"I boss"

[oxo1947]

SKYPE---Line etc, makes it so much more easier for them to talk with friends / Family, The ability to download the Thai soaps on line etc --things like this, do make these sort of moves a lot better than in the past years, when they really felt cut off.

[ThaiWai]

Nice story. My GF dreams of going back to New York with me. Just today she actually said "In New York everyone like to scream each other chai mai? Like, hey MF what the F you doing?!" I laughed and said "No, we don't do that there" Then I thought a second and said "Actually honey, thats exactly how we talk there." When she's right she's right...

[Gforbes]

Great post, thanks.

[Just1Voice]

Hawaii ain't North Dakota.

And it sure as hell ain't Kansas either, Toto.

[kinmaew]

It all sounds very cute especially the bowls, good luck to you both.

[ccarbaugh]

Since you're 61 years-old, you probably don't have to worry. I had just turned 30, married a Japanese girl from a "upper-middle class" family in Japan. Took her to the states, (CA,) and had 3 adorable, wonderful, great kids. She met an older Japanese lady and after 16 years of marriage she decided she wanted to "sow her wild oats" again. She became American-ized in all the worst ways imaginable! With her lawyer's expertise, she ended-up with everything! - The kids, (they're all over 18 now but won't talk to me,) the house, the car, and all my money for the rest of my life! - Just sayin, would be different if I was starting out at 61 and she was 49. You probably won't have the same situation at all. Best Wishes to both of you

[avander]

Great post and nice to hear the positive stories. The Thailand is better won't start to change for about 18 months - 2 years then after 3 years she may not want to go back to Thailand at all. Mind you it sounds like you have a very comfortable lifestyle there and here of course.

Interestingly, my wife has similar background living in BKK all her life and doing office work there. We lived in Sydney for 3 years and she ended up liking it very much also but now we are back living on the Darkside in Patts and the only reason she wants to go back is because of the better education for the kids and the wage packets. Still doesn't get the cost of living differential; go figure?

[arrowsdawdle]

Thanks Folks!

One Last Thing: She sometimes is a bit "defensive" of Thailand.

She'll say something like: "Well, Thailand has the same as that." (or) "Thailand's is better."

At first, I was arguing back some with her. And would say: "Are you Crazy? In Thailand it's horrible". (something like that)

Now ... I just nod and say "whatever".

A forty-seven year old tends not to be so flexible, which is why May - December relationships often work out better. Anyway, so long as the ATMs work the same she will be satisfied. How did she react to her first poi or lomi lomi?

[h90]

Thanks Folks!

One Last Thing: She sometimes is a bit "defensive" of Thailand.

She'll say something like: "Well, Thailand has the same as that." (or) "Thailand's is better."

At first, I was arguing back some with her. And would say: "Are you Crazy? In Thailand it's horrible". (something like that)

Now ... I just nod and say "whatever".

My wife was first also defensive for Thailand. That turned after a while into the complete opposite.....Specially when working or planning something.

If someone comes at 2 PM, he comes at 2PM not 5 PM. If you have an agreement it holds, etc.

Now here in Thailand I hear all the time....that don't work with Thai people because they zigzag. Have to tell all the time that Europe also has cheater and scammer.....

[elgordo38]

Thanks Folks!

One Last Thing: She sometimes is a bit "defensive" of Thailand.

She'll say something like: "Well, Thailand has the same as that." (or) "Thailand's is better."

At first, I was arguing back some with her. And would say: "Are you Crazy? In Thailand it's horrible". (something like that)

Now ... I just nod and say "whatever".

My g/f is the same and I have never taken her out of Thailand. I also now say whatever. Saves a lot of arguments.

[connda]

Keep her away from American women who will happily discuss US divorce laws to her.

"Yes young lady, you can dump that old Hoale, and the court will give you half of everything he owns, and half of what he earns. Then you can find yourself a younger stud."

I'm keeping my wife in Thailand. But, enjoy while she's still ignorant and on the learning curve!

Edited March 26, 2015 by connda