What is the Acceptable Age Difference Here

[barrys]

Good luck. Do as the Thais do "not think too much", enjoy the moments.

That's the best advice yet - I think that should just about sum it up.

[kendo]

Good luck. Do as the Thais do "not think too much", enjoy the moments.

That's the best advice yet - I think that should just about sum it up.

Now i am 41 and the Mrs is 40, try walking through a shopping mall with a Thai Farang baby then you will know what it's like to be stared at.

Kendo.

[STEVE G]

Another point to keep in mind is that if you're anything like me, you'll reach a point in your forties when you find that anyone too much younger than you is incredibly annoying in any capacity, not just as a partner.

Saying that, this is also very true (even before you get to your forties)! Looking good is one thing, but spending your days playing with a phone and lacking the conversational skills and knowledge to entertain a monkey would certainly annoy me!

There is a line in a Graham Greene novel where a character comments on a older man sitting with a bored teenage Asian girlfriend, saying that it's a vice that seems to come with it's own punishment and that was written well before ringtones were invented!

[GLCQuantum]

That's mostly just common sense that one. Regardless of age the couple must share the same interests for it to be a healthy relationship surely. This was partly the reason my last relationship broke down. The missus wanted to go out partying more often than I was prepared to accomadate. Me... I'm quite happy sitting outside the local shop for a few beers after work with the teachers then waddle off home (stagger sometimes ) to enjoy the nights choice of movie. My partying days have come and gone quite quickly, I'm not interested in gadgets and I like to spend time with the lads. Hey I'm a hell of a catch really aren't I .

[richard]

My problem or perhaps it's not a problem, I get the 7 year itch

[Huahinian]

My problem or perhaps it's not a problem, I get the 7 year itch

I know a doctor and a few Thai ladies who can cure that!!

[MrPlum]

Mr. Plum's says:

Why do you care what others think?

Although many people say (and wish) they do not care what others think it is not so straightforward. It is human nature to care what others think and to conform to social norms and Mr. Plum does so himself:

I never notice other's looks and it only enters my awareness if there is a dinner or event where 'middle class' Thais may be present. This is easily solvable. The g/f won't attend. Nor will I.

Of course if you do not care what others think you would attend.

Well picked up and you identified the problem. I may not personally care about her apparent social failings but unfortunately others do. The difficulty is, even if I'm blissfully unaware she doesn't belong, she isn't. The middle class Thais won't talk to her and will probably be put out that I brought her along, placing them in a socially awkward spot. I could say what a diamond she is and how she literally saved my life but that doesn't cut any ice in a society that is as stratified as Thailand. It's politic to respect their conventions. When in Rome... (I draw the line at tucking into a plate of frogs )

[GLCQuantum]

Now i am 41 and the Mrs is 40, try walking through a shopping mall with a Thai Farang baby then you will know what it's like to be stared at.

In my last place of work in Samut Prakan I was friendly with a Canadian (6"8 fella ) who had a German girlfriend. They had two beautiful little blond haired blue eyed kids. The kids had reached the ages of 1 and 4 when he decided to call it a day in Thailand. The main reason he stated was that he simply couldn't walk anywhere without them being poked, hugged, kissed, tugged, smelt etc. The final straw for him was when they were in Tesco's doing some shopping. Having finally got the baby to stop crying and to finally be sound asleep in her pram a Thai lady came up to them in the aisle and woke the little critter up again by tugging on her cheek whilst exlaiming how cute the little button was.

[johnnyk]

There is a flaw in the half your age + 7 formula.
If you are 42 you should have a 28 year old partner, but at age 44 you should have a 29 year old. Ergo this cannot be the same person. So in theory a commendable calculation but as it implies you have to change partner all the time - although the idea might be tempting - it will be highly impractical to apply.

Half the age + 7 is the starting point of the relationship. Obviously the figures do not remain in the same proportion as time passes. No flaw.

[margaretcarnes]

That's mostly just common sense that one. Regardless of age the couple must share the same interests for it to be a healthy relationship surely. This was partly the reason my last relationship broke down. The missus wanted to go out partying more often than I was prepared to accomadate. Me... I'm quite happy sitting outside the local shop for a few beers after work with the teachers then waddle off home (stagger sometimes ) to enjoy the nights choice of movie. My partying days have come and gone quite quickly, I'm not interested in gadgets and I like to spend time with the lads. Hey I'm a hell of a catch really aren't I .

Maybe thats one of your problems GLC - you haven't had that time to spend with the lads.

[Roel]

There is a flaw in the half your age + 7 formula.
If you are 42 you should have a 28 year old partner, but at age 44 you should have a 29 year old. Ergo this cannot be the same person. So in theory a commendable calculation but as it implies you have to change partner all the time - although the idea might be tempting - it will be highly impractical to apply.

Half the age + 7 is the starting point of the relationship. Obviously the figures do not remain in the same proportion as time passes. No flaw.

I see. So someone who applied the formula at age 20 will at age 40 have a partner that is the same age as the partner of a person who applied the formula at age 60. Interesting. I will postpone the implementation of the formula as long as possible, but not too long. Thanks!