'High Maintenance' or 'Low Maintenance'?

[MrPlum]

I was once married to a lady who could be described as 'High Maintenance'. She had a permanent 'To-Do list', had high expectations as to my role as husband and provider and was a classic perfectionist.

Being the marrying kind, I was also once married to a lady who was 'Low Maintenance'. She didn't need anything, I rarely had to ask her for anything and whatever I wanted to do was okay with her.

These are probably two extremes and there are various shades in between. Anyway a poll should give an idea as to whether these labels fit or not.

Over to you...

[Spitfire]

This is probably a very truthful poll as there are no posts but votes are coming in.

Funny!

[Khundon1975]

Mr P

I voted for, it's not HER that's demanding. It's ME!!

We have been happily married for over 9 years and we were sort of engaged for two years, prior to that.

I can honestly say that she never nags me to do anything, as she is a very independent woman, both financially and spiritually and understands that when I retired at 47 in 1999, I was going to do anything I wanted, within reason. After all isn't that the reason for retiring?

We nearly always agree on most things, like travel, financial matters, friends and many other subjects.

I am, due to my health, the one who is somewhat demanding, and she has been a rock throughout my years of medical problems.

Maybe I'm just lucky in my choice of partner (that's an arrogant statement I know, as we men don't choose who we are going to marry the woman do) but I like to think that we complement each other, in most aspects of our married life.

The more I think about the question, the more I realise I don't regret marrying a woman 23 years younger than me.

Yes, I am glad I didn't pick a high maintenance woman.

Just wish she didn't have so many shoes and handbags.

[Roel]

Exactly the shoes....
My girlfriend has one pair of slippers that she wears when cooking and washing dishes behind the house but then there is ANOTHER pair of slippers standby in front of the house mostly used for visiting neighbours and daily feeding of all the animals in our soi. A THIRD pair of slippers (I am NOT joking) is used for further enterprises outdoors like visiting the market and the 7-eleven. And then there is a pair of proper shoes that she wears to work. Altogether that is around 400 to 500 Baht for shoes alone!

[JAJA]

My wife (not Thai) is very high maintenance. Still I love her all the same. Re shoes, I am told that a woman can never have too many shoes.

[STEVE G]

My partner farms rice and tapioca in Issan when I'm away so I suppose should vote low maintenance, although I did have to buy a new trailer for the tek-tek last time I was out so I'm undecided at the moment.

[Wanderlust]

I voted a bit of both, as she has changed as we have been together (don't they all!). However family circumstances have dictated a lot of that, as I am sure is the case with many Thai women. She does nag me about things like drinking and what I eat, but leaves me alone on many other things. As far as expenditure goes, I think the shoes and bags thing is common to all women so generally speaking she is low maintenance on that front; the only exception being as I have said, her family, as she feels obliged to help as well as not wanting to lose face by saying we don't want/ can't afford to help - I am sure this is all too common as well.

[buksida]

Also voted a bit of both, the golf is killing me!

[lomuamart]

I voted low maintenance but some demands.
It's that really, except when she runs out of her allowance half way through the month because she's gambled too much on the lottery or has got mullahed too many times with her family. I try to be HARD now, even begrudging a packet of cigarettes for her.
Other times are her her birthday when she feels it's right that she should have another bit of gold - that she can pawn when her times are tough - and Xmas. As I'm not religious in any way, she only gets food out of that gravy train.

[The understudy]

Hi there Everyone

MrPlum how did you come to this kind of Topic? It's kinda amazing!

I could remember back then when I was a Freshy Student @ Stamford when theywhere still in Hua Hin. One evening our French Ajarn/Teacher Francois had invited us students to attend the openning of his Wife's Beach Grill house. A few Teachers also attended the openening. Among httem was also my Comm. Arts Dept. Head Ajarn Kim Bigelow
Once me and my friends and fellas had fetched some Grilled Beef, Meat and some fries about to setle to eat Ajarn Kim set to us Then He begun to judge us my Senior Friend he told her that she was a "high Maintnence type the same as me. when I Asked my A. Kim why replied "Well my firend you and P'Jess (My senoir friend) are both restless and always need attention form your mate!"

Hmm... In my Own OPinion I'm kinda both depending in what kind of mood I am but yeah I am kinda a High Maintnance Typo Guy1

Your's The understudy!

[lomuamart]

Sorry understudy, I just just don't get that. It seems that you left university years ago and are doing pretty well in Germany.
Why on earth do you worry about the "old days" when maybe you had to wai to someone?
High maintenance - that's always relative.

[margaretcarnes]

I haven't voted in this cos it seems to be aimed at comments on female partners. Would like to point out though that us girls deserve plenty of bags and shoes due to the constant stress from high maintenance male partners!
But seriously, 'Him Indoors' is pretty low maintenance. I let him have a free run of the garage and never complain, or even check whats going on in there. He can go to the bookies every day if he wants, only needs 3 pairs of footwear, clears his plate, is in charge of coffee making, and stays clear of my potting shed!
I do think the gold can be an issue though with Thai wives, as Lomu mentioned. Put it down to culture/security/status. At least it's a tangible asset which hopefully holds it's value, like, erm, golfclubs?

[migrant]

I voted low maintenance. She works, so buys her own shoes, clothes, etc (which are numerous!!)

Not demanding when we go out.

Does like a nice birthday present though!!

[Khundon1975]

I haven't voted in this cos it seems to be aimed at comments on female partners. Would like to point out though that us girls deserve plenty of bags and shoes due to the constant stress from high maintenance male partners!But seriously, 'Him Indoors' is pretty low maintenance. I let him have a free run of the garage and never complain, or even check whats going on in there. He can go to the bookies every day if he wants, only needs 3 pairs of footwear, clears his plate, is in charge of coffee making, and stays clear of my potting shed!
I do think the gold can be an issue though with Thai wives, as Lomu mentioned. Put it down to culture/security/status. At least it's a tangible asset which hopefully holds it's value, like, erm, golfclubs?

I'm guilty of that one Mags.