How much behaviour is Thai tradition and how much is taking advantage of foreign guys? I agreed to meet a girl for the second time. She asked to go to the beach and I agreed. Arriving at the meeting place I was shocked to find a further three people tagging along. We went on a few errands - visas and passport problems, and then went for a meal. Not only was there myself and date to feed, but 2 friends, an aunt AND the tuk tuk driver! (friend of the family) I hadn't enough money for 6 people - I had enough for 2! So when the bill came, my date carefully checked it and handed it to me (as expected) but I was short by about 300 Baht. There was a long uncomfortable silence while everyone watched to see what I would do, but NO-ONE offered to put their hands in their pockets. Eventually I had to go to an ATM to get extra funds.

Now, I expect to have to pay for my date - despite being relatively poor for a farang - but am I expected to pay for four extra people, whom I met only two hours before?

What would they have done if I had been unable to make it?  They obviously had SOME money, I am sure between 5 people they could scrape together 300B to help out someone in an obviously embarrassing situation.  But no-one helped and no-one showed any gratitude after the bill was settled.

The girl in question is very attractive and fun, but I later saw she had 800 Baht in her purse.  Which means she was just refusing to help me out.  To add insult to injury, when we returned I was asked for 300 baht for the tuk tuk (friend of the family - just had a free big meal!)

Was this Thai tradition, or was it me getting shafted?

I won't be seeing her again - I have met beautiful girls who insisted on 50/50 on virtually everything, so I know this is not a hard and fast rule.

1: Been caught out or caught short before?

2: Have Thais done anything for you to restore your faith in human nature?