Tight minge

So that kind of puts the husband/male guardian in the ‘vague’ zone, what about the other points?

Playing devils advocate here. Would you accept it at the point of dowry payments for marriage, the legal consent of a marriage to be between the prospective husband and the females male guardian and the acceptability of the husband to have multiple wifes as well as separation based on gender for some day to day activities/public activities?

This though is a big part of the problem. At least ‘imposing’ the values you expect/know. This is more or less what was tried and failed and would always be doomed to failure. Before going on, Sharia Law is abhorrent and should not be practiced in my opinion. Values, expectations and needs vary from place to place. The centre of the world isn’t America or western civilisation, in fact for your average Afghan outside of Kabul, the centre of the world isn’t even Kabul. It is more likely his family, his plot of land, his village elder or Imam and anything above that means nothing. Whether beyond that it is a white faced western soldier or Taliban matters little. They will just want to keep out the way and survive. The smaller picture is more important than the bigger picture when you have little or nothing. This is why the Taliban can melt away and return quickly, how free elections have little to no value. Who is your average Afghan going to vote for? Whomever his Imam tells him, whomever hands a little money or just whomever is in line of site. All in all its helpless. For those that will be in ‘line of site’ of the Taliban will be terrified and desperate, but for those that aren’t, they will just be thankful they are not in line of site and do there best to stay out the road. That itself is probably human nature. Western governments really fucked this.

Well I would disagree. I think I was quite clear that I do not necessarily agree with Ad Lib but the comment on Muslim society had validity. You had made a suggestion that Muslims wanted some kind of differing society. If it helps you, I am also not in favour of an endless occupation of Afghanistan and I think Ad Lib is way off the mark in this logic. Maybe I should have also questioned some of his points to be balanced, but I didn’t as a) I do not have a solution and b) it is far more complex than most are making out hence referencing the human point. So in that, I may agree more with you than Ad Lib. The west shouldn’t be involved long term for sure and right now the Taliban is the government and the west cannot do much right now but push them to allow those who want to leave to leave and then, until clear international laws are broken and proven their is little can be done (legally). The west have to be very careful here, even if Sharia Law is instigated. As an example, their is a small, semi autonomous region on Sumatra called Banda Aceh. It is the only part of Indonesia that practices Sharia Law. People chose to live there and do not leave and most Indonesians wouldn’t set foot in the place as they think its mental. Otherwise some people are happy for this type of society and we cannot demand they shouldn’t as much as they demand everyone should. The issue isn’t so much whether the Taliban bring in Sharia Law or not it is if they will not let people chose and leave and if any international laws are broken. Anyway, there are absolutely many if, buts, questions and counter questions in this going right back to whether Afghanistan really was a legitimate target. As Saudi was not a realistic option, someone had to be beaten up. Even my thoughts above will be flawed.

I am only referencing the comments regarding what Muslims expect from their society. It is very easy to draw an ‘us and them’ distinction. I have no idea if your a mealy mouthed coward or not, I don’t believe I suggested you were or the relevance of that statement.

Although I wouldn’t necessarily agree with all Ad Lib is saying, his point regarding how Muslims wish to create their societies is quite valid. There are only something like 15 countries worldwide that incorporate some part of Sharia law and somethimg like only 4 that apply it ‘in full’. Most Muslims don’t care for Sharia law. It’s trying to simplify a huge complex problem and religion/faith is just a small part of it. Education and poverty are arguably bigger issues (which Sharia Law does not help) and Jinky (I think) put it best, like everywhere in the world, people are just trying to get on with their lives, which in some places means survival. I doubt most of us could comprehend the survival needs your average Afghan has to go through right now for himself and their family. I think there have been only two posts on this thread @Jinky67and @TheJTS98 that has touched on the issue from an individual, human perspective.

Would be wholly dependent on the terms of the contract/sale and COVID, although a valid point, would have no bearing in that term. If the supplier has within their terms that all anomalies of the delivery should be checked by X and you have not countered that at the time of the order they are with their right not only to question but to refuse. If they don’t, they have no right and if you countered at the time of order it is a legal minefield, which, as its not worth the hassle probably falls in your favour.

Sorry, agree with your sentiments but…. Your line about Ethiopias economic growth is a bit ‘shallow’. Any growth that creates jobs and revenue at this time shouldn’t be flippantly dismissed. Many people in poverty would do anything for a chance to work. I do get that your passionate here, I don’t think anyone is arguing that poverty is not an issue. More disagreeing on details. Chinas belt and road policy is abhorrent (is it that much different in end game to the Marshall plan though (very simplistic I know))? However, was it not proven that this grab of farmland was nothing like first reported? (I genuinely don’t know but read it was incorrect). The west 100% exploits the poorer nations, but not unaided. There are many rich politicians and businessmen in these countries getting rich by fucking over their own people. There just isn’t a simple solution here.

On poverty, I would generally disagree. We can point the finger to colonialism as well, but it is also only part of the cause which did create some of the financial impact. However, it is systems like Barangy, Kampomg elders, Religious leaders and caste systems that drive the corruption, education and keep people in poverty. All of these systems in one shape or another predate any colonialism. These all need fixed first, before the money or its just trying to grab water with your hands. Having lived right next door to Tondo, which is arguablly one of the worst slums in the world where Pagpag is not only the stable diet, is an industry in itself, I am confident in saying a lot more than money is needed. I also experience extreme poverty from where my other half is from and no matter the amount of money I hand over, nothing gets better. Having been in rural schools where teachers just don’t turn up (but still get their salary) as no fucker cares about the kids or the area is heartbreaking. At this point they need support, help and education (teach the man to fish as you say). Back to correcting governments, educating people an stamping put corruption. It really is fucked up. Anyway, on climate change. Agree fully. Either poverty or climate change cannot really be looking after yourself. Things will only improve when everyone improves. The western world have to get their house in order regarding climate change, but they also have to bring the undeveloped world along for the ride or there will just be a transfer of the problem in part. For example, moving over to electric vehicles itself won’t wholly solve the problem in developed countries as all the polluting cars will end up, in worse condition in developing countries. Thumbs up though to being at least conscious and passionate about both topics!

Spend a lot of time in Gujarat (Badora and Ahmedabad) and travel frequently between there and Pune as well as other parts of India. How you put up with it for 2 1/2 years! Been offered a few times to go to India, Pune x 2 and Gurugram and knocked them back. I do like my time in India but wouldn’t put my family into that environment. Push come to shove maybe Bangalore or Chennai. Hangzhou is decent, but as you say, if you live outside a major city there isn’t too much on offer in China. Got to be honest, living in Germany with citizenship.

Money would of course solve the issue. Only after education, government policies and corruption have been solved. You can also throw religion into that mix. Its a vicious circle that is not a simple or quick fix. @DiegoDiego mentioning Ethiopia is a good example. Much of the famine aid was a feel good factor for the west. A lot of the money didn’t get to where it should and now, with great economic growth in the country most peoples lives haven’t changed. When I lived in The Philippines, we had a Typhoon that decimated the city of Tacloban. The amount of aid that was sent to Tacloban, was phenomenal in monetary, food and shelter terms and there was much back slapping in the western media about the support. The reality was somewhat different. The US sent warships that were originally blocked from delivering food and aid. The warships themselves could have solved much of the food shortages immediately. The food aid that poured in was seized by the local government and was ultimately sold on for profit to other businesses. Stockpiled, out of date food aid was then rationed out, but only to people who voted for the local government. The financial aid just ‘evaporated’. Most charities are like sieves and at times do little to help. Money will only solve things once governments/policies change, education is widespread and corruption curtailed. There is a huge difference between third world countries and say Luxembourg but it is not predominantly money. Many poor countries are resource rich. Every poor country has affluent citizens.

Well if you could understand it…. ah, never mind

Racism/bigotry and intolerance is unfortunately a fact of life and the question posed on the feeling of racism and intolerance in other countries is a dangerous one. As said before, it is a perception of an individual based on a time, place and interaction. I unfortunately experienced eye opening racism (as I had lived as a child in Canada and had a romantic view of the place), others would live their life in Canada (or anywhere) and never experience any. Yourself being from Toronto and longer term probably have a more balanced view.

Despite being the third largest muslim population, it is still 10% of a huge population. I am sure you could grasp what I was getting at in the sentence. I’ll rephrase, The vast majority of the non muslim Indian population have huge contempt for their minority muslim countrymen who are generally looked down on and marginalised, but not as much as the Dalit. Sorry for any confusion.

Yes, Third largest country by muslim population behind Indonesia and Pakistan.

As I had mentioned before, in my opinion, the worst overall was Canada. It was an eye opener. More elitism and arrogance than much else I guess though. Hungary was particularly bad, mostly against Romanians/Gypsies and latterly muslims. Been away from Hungary for over 10 years and I believe it has got worse. HK Blues nails it for Asia. There is a lot of racism here, but mostly not out of malice or its pure ignorance (especially in the case of China). Philippines is very jovial mostly. It did boil my piss being called Joe all the time and being called ‘Americano’ but can understand where it comes from. The everyone is rich, for me, comes from the Sex tourists who save up all year to spend two weeks, quick literally fucking about and throwing money around to buy there way. China is like 1970’s UK. Utterly racist, but not much intent, mostly ignorance. Except in the case of Japan. For some there is a special kind of hatred. Indonesia there is underlying, utter contempt for the Chinese. Covid and the South China seas has certainly aided more racism though. There is a lot more anti Chinese feeling and surprisingly in Singapore spats of racism against foreigners, including westerners but mostly South Asians. Indians have a special contempt for muslims. There is racism and intolerance everywhere and exaggerated in times of recession or general downturns and depends who you encounter and when. In the case of Canada, which I consider the worst, I am sure others would have differing opinions by their own experience.

Finally got round to reading this. A very good book indeed. With the the strait and port being about 10 minutes from my house and other places familiar having lived/worked nearby it was very interesting. If anything, the previous raid (alluded to at the start of the book) would have been more captivating. Then again as all were killed in that there wouldn’t be much source material. Lead me on to ‘Trojan Horse’ which is about the BA flight that landed in Kuwait at the start of the first gulf war. A little ‘flowery’ but certainly an interesting read. Both not overly long and interesting enough to keep turning pages.

Would agree on age for sure. Age, location and whether you are on an expat deal or independant. I moved away at first at 34 on an expat deal. An absolute breeze. After the first year, I have been independant (finding/creating my own jobs, visa applications and moves, etc). It has resulted in a very mixed, but rewarding experience. The lack of a safety net if independant is important to consider. Unless you pack up and go home, there is no signing on if you lose your job/visa status and foreigners are always the first to go during lean times and it is not as easy to find jobs as it would be back home. When my career has not been able to sustain me, I have taught and written for papers and publications to get by. I must admit the risk in it all is part of the experience, but as you get older it clearly gets more difficult. Long and short, you will, as 99% of the people who ‘dream’ of living abroad, will find an excuse not to. If it is truly your dream/desire, just go for it. If you become a serial ‘expat’ who knows where you will end up.

Theres always a hose or a bucket available as its the preferred ‘cleaning’ method. Whether there is water or not is another thing. Always best to avoid toilets around public transport in China. Train stations are bad, but service stations used by the long distance buses in rural areas are a biohazard.

I haven’t even got as high as an HNC!

Yes the influencers and tax avoiders are the ones under scrutiny in Indonesia, partly brought on by their own stupidity. One ‘influencer’ in Bali wrote an ebook for sale on how to beat the system in Bali and live a comfortable life there and promoted it online. Was shocked and complained when she got arrested, fined and deported. Indonesia is cheap but hefty on tax.

20k USD I would guess would be reasonable for many retirees to get access to a pretty open visa. I think most countries out here are starting to review their visa offerings and processes and tightening up on things so they can get rid of non desirables and attract more desirable foreigners, like retirees. I know there has been a fair bit going on in Bali as it became a bit of an ‘influencers’ paradise who were taking advantage of the lax immigration laws. Due to some high profile idiocity, the government are clamping down and deporting people. In Batam and Johor, not quite the same, but they have been developing a great deal to attract people away from Singapore.

Yup assumption is a key word here. Countries like Philippines actually offer very attractive retirement visas that could give an average income retiree a decent life in relation to weather and lifestyle.

A big chunk of this is narrow minded perceptions in my opinion. Considering South East Asia makes a considerable contribution to global manufacturing, has several major banking hubs as well as other ‘global’ industries. The majority of the westerners/expats are here through work (or have been for work and decided to stay on for, as you say; weather, cost, lifestyle, or commitments picked up). There are of course a few ‘dodgy characters’ kicking about but they are in the minority. The ones for the watching are the sex tourists. The guys that who save up all year to have a couple of weeks holiday here as weekend millionaires, usually spotted around certain parts of Manila and Bangkok. A close runner up are the ‘influencers’ and backpackers* who pitch up as if it is the 1970’s. *That is a small number of backpackers. Most are sound, but there is a special type amongst them.

Not a curry, but a fantastic dish all the same and one of Sumatras finest exports. Many quality and very spicy dishes from Indonesia. For myself, can cook to survive, but have little interest so don’t go beyond very simple things. Fortunately the wife is a great cook.