It's that time of year again - season of goodwill and all that - and for many people that means buying gifts. In the UK it can get out of hand and credit cards are maxed out in no time. There is a sense that people have to spend megabucks - it's Christmas - and it's 'the done thing'.
But for those of you in the LOS who have Thai wives - how do you deal with Crimbo and all the gift giving thing?
Do Thai ladies expect gifts? Would you feel guilty if you didn't buy her anything - despite the fact that she is Buddhist? Does your wife buy YOU a present?
Then - if you do decide it is only right and proper to do the gift thing - do you go shopping and choose something yourself for the wife? Or do you ask her if there is anything she craves (apart from a rich farang and a winning lottery ticket that is.)
I remember when living in HH a fellow expat once asked me to go and choose a gift for his Thai girlfriend. Perfume - the usual safe option for a male in a quandry. At least it was safer than him buying her underwear I suppose.
So how do you expat guys deal with the dilemma? Buy a small token gift - take her out for a nice meal - or just plain Bah Humbug I'm in Thailand to escape all that Christmas c..p (but by the way cook me a turkey.)
