rugbymatt

I've never come across people putting other people down, or being rude on BE, but I was just playing safe [/QUOTE]


No neither have i!!!!!!!!!

furkew

great isn't it. He's Ok when he's Italian , but if he's Algerian, they have to think about it first.

rugbymatt

Yeah i remember as a boy going down to Australia House with my best friend to get our visas, he was in and out in 20 mins or so, i was still there hours later!!!! They actually asked me, a 17/18 year old boy if i was, or ever have been involved in government destabilising activities or if my father had ever been involved with and political group including Hezbollah!!!! All good fun!
I speak fluent spanish so every so often i talk to people in spanish, I'm a blonde fair skinned European, it throws them so much!!!!

rugbymatt

I would be more concerned about the Italians!!!!!!!

chris and farideh

Hi There,

I am married to an Iranian. We have spent some time in OZ and have not found any problems so far. Most of the problems came from her fellow Iranians looking down on each other. Having lived in a few places around the world, its our experience that anywhere you go, if you have a good attitude then you'll have a good time.

rugbymatt

Not bloody wrong!!! I have said the same thing so many times!!! Got told once that the greatest thing you can take to another country is a smile!!!

Jockstar

Thanks everyone for your comments. Is there anymore?

margoo

Perhaps.... my partner is Canadian/English and has no trouble to fit in here at all. I'm German (catch your breath - I'm actually a very nice person!) and stand out simply by my accent. So far it hasn't been a problem. Actually rather on the contrary, it's often the start of a conversation 'where are you from... oh really... my grandparents emigrated from Germany 100 years ago...' or something like that. Than I have to spell my surname and explain that I unfortunately don't know Mr. X or Mrs. y, who is the last remaining relative and lives in a tiny village close to the Czechoslovakian border. If not they have at least heard from the Octoberfest and want to know what I think about the local 'Schutzenfest'

It stays superficial though. But I think that's rather age related. Being in our end 30s it's just getting harder to get to know likeminded people who are not all tied up with family.

So I'm sure your wife will be just fine here.

Cheers margoo

chocaholic

It's a different situation, but I'm married to a non-Brit - he's Dutch and we lived in Holland for more than 15 years before we emigrated here 3 yrs ago. He loves it here. It took a little while for him to find a good job - luckily he worked for an well-known international company before we moved here. He speaks excellent English. Recruiting agencies, headhunters and employers can be a little difficult/reluctant with non-native speakers, but if your wife has the kind of experience and qualifications they're looking for and her English is good enough it should be a bit easier. Oh yes....a bit of luck helps too

Pomster

I am married to a English/Vietnamese bloke...he has always spoken English though.

We have been here 6 years and apart from the typical 'bloody Pom' comments have never experienced any hassle. In fact we were both taken aback recently when an English visiting mate (who lives in Scotland) asked if we did get racist comments. Neither of us had even thought about it before she mentioned it.

Lots of Aussies think Mr P is a local as there are approx 1 m Australian Asians, and are surprised at his English accent.

Jockstar

Is it easy for an Asian to get a job in a proffesional job? Working in a Thai restaurant is the last choice.

rugbymatt

Depends what profession and how skilled you are i think!

JackTheLad

I'm married to a Hong Kong or Chinese woman, I think, though she may be indian, I dunno, I didn't marry her to talk to her. She seems to speak english quite well, but I try not to listen.

Anyway, when we arrived here turns out she got a professional job before I did, so it didn't work against her. Shes since given that up, but if we run short of cash, I'll be ringing round the Thai restaurants offering a waitress.
Come to think of it, she might be Thai. I did once experience a white transit van in Belfast slow down beside us, and a load of tradies lean out and start shouting/asking how much I paid for her. The jokes on them though, she was free, and she can cook!


JTL

BadgeIsBack

My wife is from Latin America - Spanish descent - but looks European which is bizarre as she doesn't look anything like a) South American, or Spanish.

Her English is nigh on perfect - she's lived in UK for half her life.

People think she is Scandinavian or E Europe over here.

badge

Banksia

Jockstar,

Since you are starting in Thailand, I am surprised no one has mentioned the absence of maids as the biggest potential cultural shock. Your wife could be coming from a background where a maid is assumed. Here they are virtually unknown.

As to cultural/racial issues, if you are in a capital city, it would be safe to assume there will be no problems at all: mixed marriages are basically the norm. A female work colleague from Hong Kong explained to me her apprehension when she first arrived but after living here for five years returned to HK for a holiday. When she returned and flew over the Harbour Bridge, she said "I'm home!"

Home sickness, which can afflict anyone, is a far bigger risk than anything to do with being Thai. It's even easier if you have kids. Our suburb has gone from 95% white Anglo Saxon to over 50% south east Asian in 10 years and living here one barely notices it has happened unless in reminiscing mode.