@Marc *******

maybe my example was too subtle. There can be more than 2 options. And supporting locals and being a chump are also not the same thing. I've had people ask literally 100x what other people are asking because they think they can get away with it- some people are assholes and overcharge. I'd prefer not to encourage that behavior, but I also try really hard to spend my money with poor folk.

@Marc *******

are you bad at critical thinking or just a dick?

What is the actual question? I just did this this year. I forget the seasoning time, but I deposited the money, waited, then did the marriage application. I'm theory I can use the income method after the first year, but even the guy at immigration was like "you should not touch the money because they could change the rules without notice" and what rules are enforced is damn near arbitrary as it is.

@Lynnette ******

sadly I got felted by COVID and now seldom fly upper class. Especially now that most of my flying is international. Tickets are routinely 20x. That is money my kids will need for university, sigh.

@Jo *********

flying sucks for people too.

Seriously nobody here has input better than "use the internet"?

@Marty ********

frankly. I take my pants all the way off.

@Tim ******

ha ha! It's the garbage LCDs they use.

@Alan *******

it's everything else advice. Go play in traffic.

@Stuart **********

I live in the north and at a relatively low socio economic level. Most of the stuff in my world is run by the seat of the pants- which I am perfectly happy with. There are times when things chaff, but you sort it out. What bothers me here is I had brought up some ideas about something, I forget what, and said "maybe we could have a lawyer think of a good way to do it' and the guy said "whoa lawyers? We are very informal here and don't use them" and then came with a very one sided western style lease- only in Thai. Just puts a very sour taste in my mouth. On the other hand we bonded with the owner quite well, but the agent is a cousin so no chance of firing him.