Well, I agree with some of the above "statements" and disagree with many.
Personal history :
First of all I have close to 30 years experience living in.Asia.
Was married with a Thai "good middle class" women, had 3 kids together, all grown up. We separated but are still in touch. Western educated, fluent French.
The best of both world.
Later on I worked.in HKG, met an Indo girl, we lived together there for over 2 years.
Comes my decision to retire (64), and I simply said her that I am.done in HKG, so she has 2 choices
- she stays with me and I'll give it a try in Bali (forget about the jungle village..)
- she prefers to stay in.HKG and it's end of story.
So we arrived in Bali 6 years ago, are still together.
She was not what you call a "good girl" and I was a wild party animal going through alcohol and girls, a perfect fit in fact as long both parties.decide to "settle down"
Things were.made clear from the start :
- there will never be a marriage, a house.or land or car purchase or kids.
- I understand the family thing, but they are YOUR family, not mine and they will never interfere in our live.
- you have your religion / tradition (Hindu), I have mine.
- we dont touch each others freedom
Well, it's working. Probably we have both "done it all" and have calmed down.
We arranged our lives 2 months together, 1 month separate. Works very well.
Note that when we met (8 y ago) she was 43 and I 60, so it's not the thing about the pensioner "catching" a 25 y old girl...
Cheers !