lady boys

[Kertom]

I think the cultural difference regarding fucking and relationships comes into play.
Love for Thai people in general is different from love for western people.
Keep in mind love is conceptual (as is fancy or attraction).

[francois]

nordicguy, not to worry, for many years to come the poor will remain poor and the rich will remain rich in Thailand or likely, richer.

[scottish-guy]

..Love for Thai people in general is different from love for western people..

If I may say so (and I may) there's huge assumptions at play in your statement - on both sides of the equation

[Kertom]

But what love is, is different based on culture. Love is a concept, not an observable stimulus.
Just take a look at some modern anthropological research, it's mind opening.

[kittyboy]

But what love is, is different based on culture. Love is a concept, not an observable stimulus.
Just take a look at some modern anthropological research, it's mind opening.

You made a big statement about love or the concept of love or the manifestation of love etc.. is different between Thais and westerners. Big statements are meaningless unless those statements are followed up by specific details and examples. So give some details and examples to explain your idea.

[Kertom]

A culture with a history of poverty within living memory of most of the population will put more emphasis on being taken care off, have someone to treats them nicely in a relationship that is more submissive/dominant oriented.
In western culture love has been known to include much more equality since the sixties and partnership.
There was a cross cultural study on love in 07 that investigated several cultural entities and found considerable differences. If I remember correctly they studied Japan, UK, Mexico, Iceland, Rwanda and some other countries I forgot about.

[nordicguy]

A culture with a history of poverty within living memory of most of the population will put more emphasis on being taken care off, have someone to treats them nicely in a relationship that is more submissive/dominant oriented.
In western culture love has been known to include much more equality since the sixties and partnership.

Sounds indeed very plausible, but I don't think it's the concept of love that is so different - love and crushes are probably more universal. I think it's more about what forms the basis of a marriage/relationships in difference cultures.

In northwestern Europe and Scandinavia (that I know well), the ideal relationship is considered to be the one between two equals and the two have to be homogenious to some extent - if one part is significantly richer or older or more educated than the other one, it causes weired looks, slander and raised eyebrows when you introduce your new partner to friends and families. People will question the motives, the foundation and the authencity of the relationship. Above all, it has to be strictly love-based. If romantic love is gone, the marrige/relationship is considered dead.

My perception of the Thais is that they are far less concerned about equality and homogeneity in a relationship and that practical matters, financial security, ability to support the in-law parents etc. etc. counts just as much. Feelings of love can grow based on this, but it is not a start-up condition for a good marriage/relationship. Calling it submissive/dominant is taking it a bit too far I think. I would rather put it this way: For a Thai, there is nothing to be ashamed about if you're uneducated and you marry an educated guy, or if you're much younger than him, or if you're from a poor background compared with him, and there is no reason to be ashamed of being obedient and serviceminded in such a relationship. On the contrary, most people will think you have done well, and the older/richer/more educate one won't lose prestige either.

[poshglasgow]

I have encountered many very cute fems who really balk at the suggestion that they may be lady boys.
"NOOO! I gay, not lady boy. (Pointing at the stage) number two, lady boy."

I have a huge aversion to ladyboys and avoid them at all costs, which is why I will never be found on Beach Road after ten in the evening, despite the best efforts of Singha beer to try and lure me there. Apparently (as many a drunk straight has found to his cost, when trouble breaks out in the shower upon discovering that two pricks occupy it) they are bloody strong and can outrun a whippet with its arse on fire. And, the damage that they can do to a farang skull with one of their slingbacks is highlighted in many a Thai medical student's text book!!

[kittyboy]

A culture with a history of poverty within living memory of most of the population will put more emphasis on being taken care off, have someone to treats them nicely in a relationship that is more submissive/dominant oriented.
In western culture love has been known to include much more equality since the sixties and partnership.
There was a cross cultural study on love in 07 that investigated several cultural entities and found considerable differences. If I remember correctly they studied Japan, UK, Mexico, Iceland, Rwanda and some other countries I forgot about.

Blah blah..More generalities about some study you read. Give detailed examples and explanations about Thais versus westerners.

[Smiles]

Yes indeed. Psychobabble has always been one of my favourite yuk yuk go-to's. The more babble the better.