So far my experience with relationships has been a challenge. As a western man, especially one from Canada, it’s hard not to be mesmerized by Thai women. They are very pretty, feminine, elegantly dressed, confident, strong, yet still very open to relationships with a man to complete there ideal life. They are very straight forward in their directness which can often be perceived as rude or harsh.

The truth is they are just being honest about how they feel and are used to having their words received and acknowledged without emotional reaction from men due to their cultural standards. I’m still very new to the cultural norms there, but I can say that they take some getting used to especially when adjusting from Canadian female interactions.

\Relationships and money: I wish I understood how it works but at this point I’m getting confused. Part of the problem is that when married the cultural expectation of both a Thai wife and her family is that the husband will take care of her and them. This is especially true for foreign men and their perception as rich. It’s really difficult to understand each other when western and Asian cultures are drastically different in these specific matters. My current understanding is that a Thai woman sees her man as showing care and his willingness for her long term wellness in the way he supports her financially. Often men are expected to pay for everything. Some foreign men will send their Thai girlfriend monthly payments to help make their lives easier. This subsidizing of these women’s lives is a dangerous practice in my belief as it reinforces both an expectation and comparative status when Thai women discuss their relationships with each other.