Dear Hillary,
I seem to be besieged. My wife’s family has come to stay with us. Her brother and her cousin and her mother are all staying in the house with us, which was going to be one week, but they’ve been here for three months. They all stay in the one room which I think is a bit unhealthy, and there’s no sign of them leaving. They are quiet and sweep up and tidy around the place, but this wasn’t what I really expected. I asked my wife about it but she just says it’s OK and they’ll be going soon after the brother and cousin have got jobs and mother is just having a holiday. Is this normal, Hillary?
Harry
Dear Harry (the House Husband),
This is what Thai society is all about, my Petal. Family reigns supreme, and it is usual for them all to sleep in the same room. It’s not unhealthy. It is Thai. When you got married, you joined a Thai family. After all, you married a Thai lady and chose to live in Thailand. You would have to expect that Thai culture will be dominant. This is your wife’s immediate family. You can always try to find them jobs – in a far away city. Lots of luck!
