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It's the same in Japan - souvenirs for family, neighbours, friends, work colleagues, etc. But the Japanese have a particularly clever way around wasting time overseas looking for gifts. There are companies in Tokyo which stock souvenirs from various overseas tourist destinations, allowing travellers to secretly buy their gifts once they get home. They even stock original wrapping paper from famous stores like Les Galeries Lafayette in Paris! Your friends will never know! 🤣🤣🤣

I'm turned off by effeminate guys, poor hygiene, obesity (I want a swimmer's body), mooks and silicone, unfriendly or arrogant attitude and small cocks. (Sorry, but I'm a size queen!) I'm obviously turned on by the opposite - especially if they are Asian. And I'm rarely disappointed, especially in Thailand where the big Isaan cocks hang out.

It's the same in Japan. And there's a going rate for the amount of money in the wedding envelope, depending on your 'status'. The money is used not only to help pay for the very expensive wedding, but the happy couple also have to provide a gift for each attendee. The value of the gift depends on the amount the guest put in the envelope. Normally, little if any of the wedding money remains. There are also 2 gift giving seasons - oseibo in winter and ochugen in summer. Both coincide with the winter and summer bonus paid to all workers. The amount paid depends on how well the business has done. Strangely, politicians give themselves huge bonuses! Some of this money is turn used to buy gifts. The gift giving seasons are to thank those who have helped you in some way. Doctors and teachers do very well! Department stores set aside huge areas filled with gifts of differing value, from alcohol, laundry detergent, household appliances and Rolex watches and other designer goods. Store vouchers are also popular. People receive gifts, but also hand them out, often using the vouchers they've just received. These customs means money keeps circulating in the society. I'm not all that familiar with Cambodian culture, but I have a feeling there are probably other celebrations during the year which require a donation.

Living in a new, totally different culture can be a very frustrating yet exhilarating experience. It enriches your life, as you gain the benefit of enjoying two cultures instead of just one.

Unfortunately, my regular guys have all been straight so that hasn't been an option for me.

So true! The unhappy lives of some members are clearly evident in their posts. They just can't help themselves. They also tend to be boring know-alls in an attempt to be the go-to guy on all things Thai. No names, no pack drill. I don't like to use the'ignore' function because, as you pointed out, their posts are often quoted by others so it doesn't always work. Also, trolls can sometimes offer useful information. Personal attacks by total strangers on an anonymous board in cyberspace are meaningless to me, which is why I don't reply. It's a case of read and move on without further comment.

It's a very one-sided love affair! Certainly no personal attacks on him from me. I know these things happen from time to time in internet forums, but it's better to confine your criticism to comments you disagree with, rather than the poster. Attempts at point scoring are meaningless, especially between total strangers. Be the adult in the room. It makes the board a happier, more enjoyable place!

I know. My comment wasn't.

I've never handed over the exit fee at any airport in Japan and didn't even know about it. It's not a visa fee but it is fee administered by the government.

The $6 fee may have been included in the plane ticket, perhaps depending on the airline. This is how Japan collects it's 3000 yen exit fee.

I can only speak for my own experience with Chinese tourists. But during my trips to China I have found them to be very friendly, helpful and polite. When I had trouble trying to use the local app to buy a bottle of water and had to eventually give up, a lovely local bought a bottle for me!

I know.

That looks like a typical Japanese fried rice. It has a smokey flavour. Aaron, be careful with knocks to the head. I'm sure you are monitoring the situation.

Having multiple personalities adds interest, because you never know what personality is going to turn up. So I enjoy Olddaddy's posts. Members using multiple handles is different matter. God forbid!

When I was growing up, squat toilets were the norm, although we lived in a Western-style apartment so we had a western toilet. You can still often find a squat in new public toilets, catering for old people like the father.

Typos are caused by fat fingers and tiredness but predictive text is the worst. How come it predicts 'gay' whenever I type the letter 'g'? 🤣

If you can afford gold faucets, I doubt your have to sell anything! I've got a friend in Japan who has a gold bathroom, complete with gold toilet seat. He runs a trucking company throughout Japan, transporting goods to supermarkets. I always wanted to ask him if everything was 18 karat gold or just gold-plated. I would think the former, but thought it would be rude to ask.🤣🤣

It's also expensive if you are looking for some 'fun'. I had a look at Rentmen yesterday after seeing it mentioned in a post by Keithambrose. I've already got my fun organised so I wasn't interested in finding anyone. Prices were up to $700 (16,000 baht!) for short time with hotties like my guys here. At that price you could get a return flight to Bangkok from Perth on a low cost carrier like Batik Air. Depending on what you're looking for, you may be better off staying where you are!

Japanese canned coffee - in real steel cans! - is full of sugar. It's to give to give the workers enough energy to survive another boring day at the office! In Malaysia I drank the black version of Boss, but added some milk. As for the age difference, it can be a bit of a problem. I'm acutely aware of how it looks when you see an old guy with someone old enough to be his son. It screams 'prostitute' and the guys are aware of it. I have 2 young guys on the go here, but wouldn't dare turn up to a social function with them. We'd both feel embarrassed. I used to stay at the Ambience Hotel in Boyztown. It was a 'gay' hotel but then started accepting heteros and families. I'll never forget the day I stepped into the elevator with a young guy, only to be confronted with mum, dad and their kids. The looks I got from the parents were withering. I felt sorry for my guy. I never walk next to my guy on the way to the hotel. He's always following me.

I attended a lecture on health in our older years. The lecturer spoke about the importance of eating lots of protein. I asked him if I could get that from protein shakes or powder and he told me just to eat steak - and lots of it. I haven't eaten steak in years, not because I don't like it, but because I gave up cooking at home years ago. But since he told me that, I went out and bought a new frypan and have been eating a piece of fillet steak every night for over a month now. I had forgotten how delicious it is - well done and eaten with worstershire sauce! Now I know why my Pattaya guy always ordered steak whenever we went to his favourite restaurant - the Japanese restaurant Fuji at Central Mall. I'd forgotten how good it is. Japan is famous for its ridiculously priced 'wagyu' steak, but considering it's so fatty - the A5 grade is basically 60% or more fat, I don't think there's much protein in it. As for us Aussies being into health and fitness, that's not particularly true at all. It's mainly the young who go to gyms to work out, but lots of gyms end up going bankrupt. They open and close all the time. There is a fantastic tennis complex near where I live but it's essentially deserted. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns into a housing development. Everyone here is attached to their iPads and phones. It's big problem with school kids. Programs to encourage them to exercise appear to be failing.

No worries, mate! Just grab a guy and spent the day in your room with him!

It just goes to show - you never know! Life is full of surprises!

I have no desire to have sex with somebody my age! God forbid! 🤣 I think in the gay world, like the hetero world, people are attracted to someone younger when it comes to sex. I discovered this when living in Japan. As a young foreigner I had to push the guys away from me in the clubs and gay cinemas. It was paradise. But after my mid-thirties I became somewhat invisible, considered too old by many. In a country like Japan where youthfulness is revered, the only free sex I can get from young guys these days is the odd daddy-chaser or a guy interested in having sex with a foreigner, just for the 'exotic' experience. So, Thailand it is!

I have had a regular in Bangkok for years. We first met at Golden Cock. We have sex every day in the afternoon He's a power top and can fuck for ages. I'm the first one to throw in the towel. Consequently, he only wants sex that one time. In the evening I either head off to the gogo bars or he will introduce me to one of his friends for round two.