Originally Posted by crg

Can't say this is a good recommendation. In this scenario, if they figure out it's a girlfriend and the traveler said friend, they'll think he's hiding something. So this technique of being intentionally vague can cause a loss of credibility and undo concern. That can be bad when the traveler has the burden of proof. I'd rather be the honest guy with no prior immigration concerns than the sneaky one.

Originally Posted by Twinkle0927

I would say "friend" on this occasion as they have not even met in person yet. Maybe it's just me, but I can't imagine calling anyone a "girlfriend" or "boyfriend" that you haven't met. For future visits I would say "girlfriend" if this relationship develops. CBP officers are not stupid. A single young man visiting the same young lady time and time again and they're playing the "just friends" card? Nah! I have male friends in many parts of the world - former colleagues and flat mates from my student days. I wouldn't use a significant portion of my annual leave allotment each year and fly half-way round the world - at great expense - to see them. If I happened to be there for other reasons we'd meet up for an evening or two. But that's all.

I always referred to my now-husband as "boyfriend", "fiancé" and "husband" at CBP, depending on the point in time. And I was never sent back or even taken into secondary. One officer even joked that he might suggest living in separate countries to his wife so that she could stop complaining that he doesn't pick up after himself.

Originally Posted by lansbury

When I worked alongside the immigration guys on the controls at Heathrow it was the people who were vague, gave monosyllable answers etc who drew attention to themselves. When you'd been there a while you knew an I/O's normal questioning and most would be more probing in those circumstances. If I heard someone doing that I always stopped them for further questioning as I had the time to do so. Got some very good results from it.

Originally Posted by Boiler

I did get one to laugh once, apparently a major feat, I also used GF.

Originally Posted by Boiler

Did you tell him on the 7th day you rest?

Originally Posted by Pulaski

It isn't easy to rest in a transatlantic economy seat.

Originally Posted by Boiler

..... My Brother .... needs to lose a few pounds.