When it comes to first date advice, the number one mistake on the list should be how I deal with cultural differences. In Thailand, on a real first date, she will most likely be accompanied by a chaperone, usually her best friend. The chaperone will eat everything on the menu and let your date know if you are a worthy future partner. I suggest your date pick a place for authentic Thai food off the tourist trail, or do some research and find one yourself. There are three main achievements that need to be accomplished for a successful first date in Thailand. Don’t be stingy, respect her friend, and most importantly, don’t try to lock up for a drink later at your hotel.
When going out in Thailand, the number one mistake, and the most common problem, is taking advantage of Thai hospitality without compensation. Your first instinct leads you to believe that you are being taken advantage of monetarily and that you are being taken for a ride where the poor Thai girl will part with your last dollar. In Thailand, all women, first and foremost, want a man who can provide for them, as they will be cooking, cleaning, and performing tasks that not even a well-paid nurse could provide in their time of need. Don’t be stingy and don’t lose your head either, this is a date. Provide expenses with a western world dating price cap in mind, and then value the returns on your investment on your second date. If you go cheap, do so knowing there won’t be a second time to make a first impression.
US first date advice does not imply that your date brings a chaperone, welcome to Thai culture. Thai women often bring along a chaperone, usually, but not always, of the same sex. She has been singled out by her date as the deciding factor in whether or not to continue seeing him. Treat her well and you will be taken seriously as a future prospect. Your Thai chaperone won’t be shy about ordering everything on the menu when you go out to eat, so make sure you choose that off the beaten path restaurant only Thais go to, as your budget won’t be stretched. You will not be graded on how much you tip the waitress as Thais rarely tip and a good tip is three to five percent maximum. Make sure your comments on how much these girls can eat are kept separate from how much you’ll spend when the bill comes. My first date with a Thai girl led me to pay a full thirty dollars as a total bill, this bill covered the entire wallet including drinks. My point is don’t worry, and stay away from scruffy looks and awkward movements when the bill arrives.
The most important first date advice you could give to the wandering soul in Thailand is to not try to close the date with a kiss. Thai first dates are not like the western world. This is a ritual for Thai women that means you’re worth a look, and that’s it. This is good, don’t shrug your initial test run. If the girl wants to get closer to you, then follow her by all means, but don’t try to do the same. She wants more from you if she laughs and speaks Thai with her friend while they both watch you over dinner. She shares the joy in this and, at the end of dinner and drinks, she offers to pay for the cab ride home for the two of them. If she does this, her chaperone will be more than impressed with you, since she didn’t let her ride to her house alone. She will let your date know that you were the perfect choice. Ask the two of you out the next night or call her later and tell her what a great time you had and that you’d love to see her again. Thailand first date advice is not to be taken lightly, so be sure to follow these rules and be careful what comes next as it might be more than you can handle.