vinapu

1. driving prices up or down is market's job , not single , even most stingy or most generous client's 2. exceptional service should carry exceptional price tag , otherwise why bother to perform better for uniform "going" rate. Overpaying happens when one pays too much for something which could be acquired easily cheaper. 3. Living and spending within one's means is actually virtue, I'd never vacation in Cayman Islands or one of Mr. Trump resorts. because I know I can't afford but spending extra 15$ for and additional kiss and smile, sure , yes. This is what I spent for dinner today and it did not taste even half as good as that smile which I remember to this day and chances are in one month I will not remember what i had for dinner on Nov 10. 4. Nothing wrong with haggling price down if one thinks it can be lowered in a fair way but no need to make spectacle out of it. In short offering 500 less may sound fair but wasting time over 100 baht on 1500 invoice seems waste of precious vacation time

snow is cheap in Greenland but expensive in Jamaica, sun -other war around

we will be watching this space for you trip report , yes?

I bet Chao Praya tourist boat will have stop there in near future

you may get what you wish and survive to tell the tale, just try, specially at some local, well frequented , place

don't lose hope , some do ! masculine next door types, slim and fem - at other end of plaza, Eros perhaps ?

that's true, 500 baht is 15 USD, we need to keep this in mind when driving hard bargain as often we get carried over relatively insignificant amount - for us , not boy in question. Last month I had massage with guy and we settled on 1500 but I upped it to 2000 when we were done. His face expression and exclamation ' o my God, I can pay my rent with that " was well worth extra 500. Then right after, I went to Chula Besaj pharmacy and bought some drugs saving 1950 baht on 3 month supply compared to my local prices so it looks we both had fun, no ?

some already are, try Moonlight models. Yes , one can bring price down by haggling although it may take fun out of whole thing ( to prevent this I usually counteroffer only once and then it's yes or no situation ) or looking for cheaper supplies which are often even right there in the bar as few bars now have dual pricing for show and ordinary go-gos. There are still a lot of economical and not a bad looking ( and feeling ) options available. If it will not be economically profitable to travel then some of us will stay home, others will still be coming figuring increase in their budget the same way we absorb rent or gas price rises. Hit may come from other corners - increase in airfares for example. What may be even worse we may not be able to travel for health reason, God forbid but it happens. Or family commitments at home may keep us there. My point is - worry about future in the future when comes to things like vacations. And keep in mind , nice changes happen as well , like rise of salary or unexpected windfalls like my former boss who got impossible to reject offer for his home , cashed in , bought small apartment, retired at 62 and now is travelling the world sending us postcards from here and there

and this is exactly what happened to me with one of two boys I ever exchanged contact info with. It's why I'm quite hardened on the subject ( and a guy in question )

and this is very commendable considering all circumstances described above. If there's need , help should follow. Being caught in wide net guy is throwing to see how many farangs will catch the bait is another, completely different situation.

Can't agree more but if we are willing to help and have means for it I'm quite sure we have plenty of need in our natural environment where we live, family , neighbors, people we pass on street going to and from works.

predicting is very tricky job , specially predicting the future as they say. And it's safe to say it's least of our worries of what will happen at end of this century , specially in matters of sex as it's safe bet that by that time we will lose our erections . Completely.

and this is what counts for us tourists. After all , how many t-shirts we really need. I find clothing on local markets inexpensive but as soon as we move closer where foreigner congregate it becomes more costly. But days of shopping on my trips are long gone, I like to travel lightly- both ways. It means I tend to buy everyday items -shaving cream , soap, tea and sugar etc there and can't care less about the price. Thing I like to buy in abundance in Thailand is guy's time with me and country remains well stocked with that item

I guess I still will be doing my shopping in Silom / Suriwong neighborhood

I also give burger type places wide berth but still fondly remember coming to Bangkok few years ago after 2 weeks in Vietnam. I was so tired with all that rice that french fries at MCDonald tasted heavenly so fast food venues have their use.

welcome to the forum and hope you are not coming to Bangkok next month just to eat. Let us know how your guy hunting will be going when you are there

truth well known already to ancient Romans ' buyer beware". On another hand box could be the same looking but of better material and workmanship so not exactly the same. I have 2 sweaters which are looking the same, even from close distance. Only when one touches them realizes that one is cashmere and another polyester / cotton blend. At times I'm asked by friends " which one you are wearing today , cheap or expensive ? ". They all like answer ' cheap one, I wear expensive only when I 'm going to see people I like"

you are right ! Last night I had conversation with my friend about matters related to his work and one of my questions was answered ' you can see it on the website I just sent you link to". My response was swift " if we will be sending people to google we may discover there's no need for personal conversations at all" He apologized immediately

Yes , it's somewhat ethically doubtful but at timers we need to defend ourselves using whatever it takes before it's too late. Like z909, I'd do the same if in your position but as I said above , I would NOT sent him money in the first place

you story supports my way of thinking on the subject. When there pay them well for their services and company, treat them to some dinner and perhaps a gift ( I still prefer to give them money) but when ways are parted it's 'see you till next time when I return" as I don't have illusion they are looking for friendship from me.

then probably you need to take them outside i.e. off them

he thought 'it never hurts to try" I guess

you could always shorten wait by jumping over across the soi to XBoys to see what's going on there

I wish I could be there !

and I have feeling you will be trying to see him at earliest opportunity, right?