Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Married
- FreeSocrates!
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Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Married
I have friends that call their Khmer GF's wives (non of them former Bar Girls, mostly I'd say light grey girls).
The Khmer GF's go so far as to adopt the Expats last name on Facebook.
I'm sure I'm not the only one with friends that do this (and for the record I don't really care). Though it does seem disingenuous, as there is no ring, no wedding and no legal marriage certificate.
But what is the reason they do it? Are they forced into it by their 'Wife'? Does it give the 'Wife' more status? Is it to save face, because they are shacking up before they are actually married?
If you call your Khmer GF your wife, I could care less, I'm not here to judge you.
I am more interested in how this situation comes about?
Never seen anyone do this in a Westerner/Westerner Relationship.
The Khmer GF's go so far as to adopt the Expats last name on Facebook.
I'm sure I'm not the only one with friends that do this (and for the record I don't really care). Though it does seem disingenuous, as there is no ring, no wedding and no legal marriage certificate.
But what is the reason they do it? Are they forced into it by their 'Wife'? Does it give the 'Wife' more status? Is it to save face, because they are shacking up before they are actually married?
If you call your Khmer GF your wife, I could care less, I'm not here to judge you.
I am more interested in how this situation comes about?
Never seen anyone do this in a Westerner/Westerner Relationship.
The cedar roasted asparagus has good chew. I don't know how to enjoy it, so I'll Instagram it instead.
Re: Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Marr
In English I would never call my gf my wife, but in Khmer she is always referred to as my wife I think it has more to do with the seriousness of the relationship then the paper work. Once your in an exclusive relationship all the Khmers start referring to her as your wife and correcting them makes no difference
Re: Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Marr
I know it's very common in Thailand that when a man and a woman shack up they're automatically considered a married couple in the opinion of regular folks. Many such "marriages" are never formally registered with the authorities.
From what I've heard, this might be quite similar in Cambodia. This would explain why the woman would refer to her boyfriend as husband, and even if he's a barang, he might just follow suit for consistency. He might also like the concept that they can get away with being considered married without actually having to marry.
From what I've heard, this might be quite similar in Cambodia. This would explain why the woman would refer to her boyfriend as husband, and even if he's a barang, he might just follow suit for consistency. He might also like the concept that they can get away with being considered married without actually having to marry.
Re: Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Marr
Same. I call my wife "my wife" in Khmer but also in English..but we're not officially married...We've had a village ceremony but it was unregistered. (Actually, having said that it may have been registered at the village level ? but it certainly wasn't registered at the national level.)Sohi wrote:In English I would never call my gf my wife, but in Khmer she is always referred to as my wife I think it has more to do with the seriousness of the relationship then the paper work. Once your in an exclusive relationship all the Khmers start referring to her as your wife and correcting them makes no difference
We may one day get married 'officially' but that would only be paperwork and bribework. No ceremony. And only a Cambodian wedding.
Could call her "my partner" but that sounds worse somehow than calling her "my wife". Also seems easier to call her my wife now that we have a son. Although I've been calling her my wife for the last 6 or 7 years. (We've been together now for 12 years)
Think it is mainly due to Cambodia being quite conservative and cause we've been living together for so long.
- phuketrichard
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Re: Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Marr
MY Cambodian gf ( of 5 years) is and will always remain my gf, she is happy with that as are her parents and as i am over 50 not much i can do about it
In a nation run by swine, all pigs are upward-mobile and the rest of us are fucked until we can put our acts together: not necessarily to win, but mainly to keep from losing completely. HST
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Re: Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Marr
the trouble begins when you start to call your wife your Girlfriend.
- StroppyChops
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Re: Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Marr
Sure it happens between westerners, de facto couples often share a surname and refer to each other as husband and wife - this is even acknowledged as a common law relationship. At least in Australia, a couple is deemed to be 'married' for legal purposes on a three-part test; if they share the same building, share expenses, and share a bed. There's a minimum time threshold, it may be three months but it's been too long since I've cared about legal policy to remember.
Bodge: This ain't Kansas, and the neighbours ate Toto!
Re: Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Marr
I call her my fiance in english and wife in khmer.
The word seems to get applied much easier in this country and my guess it is for saving face. Not a barang/khmer thing as I have seen this with khmer/khmer couples also.
The word seems to get applied much easier in this country and my guess it is for saving face. Not a barang/khmer thing as I have seen this with khmer/khmer couples also.
Re: Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Marr
Dang...I'd call anyone my wife - if only they would let me...
Winston Churchill said, "Have a cigar, a glass of brandy, pet your dog and get a blow job daily for a productive and fulfilling life"
- FreeSocrates!
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Re: Expats who Call Their GF's 'Wife', When They Aren't Marr
I forgot about this, in Canada I believe it's one year, but people don't usually say "My Wife". Anyone know if there is a law here? Or is it just what some posters are saying, an "unwritten law".StroppyChops wrote:Sure it happens between westerners, de facto couples often share a surname and refer to each other as husband and wife - this is even acknowledged as a common law relationship. At least in Australia, a couple is deemed to be 'married' for legal purposes on a three-part test; if they share the same building, share expenses, and share a bed. There's a minimum time threshold, it may be three months but it's been too long since I've cared about legal policy to remember.
A more interesting question might be do Khmers call Khmers Wife and Husband if they are not married? Or does it just apply to Barang/Khmer?
The cedar roasted asparagus has good chew. I don't know how to enjoy it, so I'll Instagram it instead.
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