Checking her background
People who know nothing about Thailand will probably tell you that "they're all prostitutes." Or "they just want to use you to get to America." These things are said by people who are ignorant of what this country is all about. In fact, many Americans (including myself) have found love with college-educated women with good, professional careers. Life in Thailand for my wife was easy and enjoyable, she lived in a fine house in Bangkok, had lots of friends from school, and she wasn't really looking to move to America. I couldn't offer her anything in America that was in any way better than the life she had in Thailand, and now that we live in the U.S., she's had to adjust her standard of living downwards to be with me. In fact, she would have rather we stayed in Thailand, and we still have the option of moving back if we so choose.
There are, to be sure, prostitutes in Thailand, as there are in every country in the world. You may meet one of them, and she may want to marry you and come to America. She may even fall in love with you. Let me explain however, the difference between a Thai prostitute and an American prostitute. A Thai prostitute is more than likely supporting her parents and entire extended family with the money she earns, and one must give credit where it is due. The only person an American prostitute is interested in supporting is her crack dealer. That said, one must still proceed with caution if you become emotionally involved with a Thai bar girl. Some Americans have married girls who have worked in this capacity, and are wildly happy. Others have been taken advantage of. You may well decide to accept her checkered past, but nonetheless, it pays to know what you're getting into ahead of time.
Here's a few tips on finding out about her background:
1. Just ask her.
2. Pay attention to how she speaks English. Did she learn English at school, or pick it up at bars? You'll be able to tell. Thai schools usually teach British English, not American English. But if her English is peppered with colloquialisms and vulgarities, then you have reason to question her background further.
3. Women of any country like to go out to socialize in "packs." Thai women do especially. Your girlfriend will probably have a group of close friends with whom she socializes. Notice who they are. You will be able to tell a lot about your girlfriend by the company she keeps. Try to get her to invite you to their next lunch outing.
4. What part of Thailand is she from? We mustn't paint them all with the same brush, but many of Bangkok's bar girls are from Isaan and other rural areas, who have come to the big city to find fortune in the sex industry.
5. Gold jewelry plays a big role in showing one's status and social class in Thailand. Pay attention to your girlfriend's mother and whether or not she wears gold jewelry.
6. The intelligentsia, upper social classes and generally well-to-do all want their children to attend one of the "top five" universities, all of which are in Bangkok. If she attended any one of these universities, she's from a good family.
