When it comes to first date advice, the number one mistake on the list should be how I deal with your 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 mate. I suggest your date pick a place for authentic Thai food off the tourist trail, or do your research and find one yourself. There are three main accomplishments 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 dating in Thailand, the number one mistake, and most common problem, is to take 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 parted with your last dollar. In Thailand every woman first and foremost wants a man who can provide for them as they will cook, clean and perform tasks that even a well paid nurse could not provide in their time of need. Don’t be stingy and don’t lose your head either, this is a date. Provide spending 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 it knowing there won’t be a second time to make a first impression.

American first date advice does not imply that your date brings a chaperone, welcome to Thai culture. Thai women usually carry a chaperone with them, usually, but not always, of the same sex. She has been selected by the date of her as the deciding factor to continue seeing him or not. Treat her right and you will be taken seriously as a future prospect. The Thai chaperone won’t be shy about ordering everything on the menu when you go out to eat, so make sure you pick that off-the-beaten-path restaurant that only Thais go to, as your budget won’t be depleted. You will not be graded based on how much you tip the waitress, as Thai people rarely tip and a good tip is three to five percent maximum. Make sure your comments about 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 the 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 comes.

The most important first date advice you could give to the wandering soul in Thailand is don’t try to end the date with a kiss. Thai first dates are not like the western world. This is a ritual for Thai women that means you are worth a look, and that’s it. This is good, don’t shrug it off on your initial test run. If the girl wants to get closer to you, then by all means follow her, 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 both of them. If she does this, her chaperone will be more than impressed with you, since she wouldn’t let you ride to her house alone. She will let your date know that you were the perfect choice. Ask them both out the next night or call her later and tell her what a great time you had and that you would love to see her again. Thailand first date tips are not to be taken lightly, so make sure you follow these rules and be careful what comes next as it might be more than you can handle.