Thai women have an odd attitude to sharing expenses. My wife and I both work here in Oz, but it took a long time for me to wean her off being dependent on me financially. I supported her for the first 2 1/2 years while she went to college and then got work. I paid all bills and rent. Following that, I paid for her public transport card and mobile phone bills. They were not much but I felt "used", paying them after she got a job, so I asked that she pay with her own credit card. There was a bit of resistance but not too much. We go 50/50 on electricity.

Then I broached the topic of rent. We were sharing it 60/40. But here there was massive resistance and she says that "the husband should support his wife". Well, we have no kids and don't plan on them, and I kinda understand her logic, but because I pay other expenses, such as all petrol and car expenses as well as being her chauffeur, she has managed to save more money than myself. Twice as much, in fact.

Now I have lost my job.

This irks me. It feels too much like that scenario ....which we all know so well.....in which finances are slowly re-distributed from the Western man to the Thai woman and/or her family (in this case she does send a small amount home, but not a real lot).

I read a book many years ago entitled something like "Thai Culture And Behaviour Patterns" (or something very close to that), in which the author recommends that a Western person never allow a Thai person to be in control of the relationship....whatever kind of relationship it is.

So maybe I should not push my luck too much ? Maybe if I pay more rent than her (despite not having a large income till I get another job), I am in the role of "patron", as seen in Thai culture, which is something she is comfortable with ?

Any comments or suggestions, anyone ?