Dear Hillary,
On my next trip to Thailand I am going up-country to meet my GF’s mother. I have been writing to her for six months now and will come out in December. I haven’t been to her mother’s place before and I am wondering what I should give her as a present, a sort of thank you for having me stay for a couple of days. It is all very new for me and my GF doesn’t tell me much about what is expected. I have spoken to a couple of chaps who have said that nothing is required, but I will get hit for the cost of a village party which they will put on for me. Is it really like that?
Jimmy
Dear Jimmy,
What rock did you just climb out from under? If you have ever read any of these columns, you will have seen that you don’t need to give presents, but sure you will get hit for the drinks at the village party. BTW, the party isn’t for you, Petal, but for all the neighbors and all the other hanger-ons. You are being used, and as long as you know this and are prepared to accept this, then go to the village and have a good time! But don’t think that the trip to the boonies is part of the dating routine. It isn’t. It is a way to gage how deep your pockets are.
