ForumTitleContentMemberSexCountryDate/Time
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 28 2009, 03:44 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think we can self police ourselves on this thread. Whoever felt offended, I apologize.


'twasn't me...
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-28 16:41:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (Erich&Chanisa @ Nov 28 2009, 04:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
someone as relatively inoffensive as Toma1


Sigh. My carefully crafted demeanor is washed away in one fell swoop...
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-28 10:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 28 2009, 09:50 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Not to be a personal attacker, but it does look kinda gay. Shave that thing post a new photo.

The new photo is punishment for your insolence.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-28 10:03:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 28 2009, 09:10 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I guess I'm old fashioned. The guy had a wife here and took multiple trips to Thailand over a period of many years. I'm sure he was faithful to his wife on all of those trips. I wont get in the legalities of it, but it seems like a really bad thing to do.


Perhaps. But what I meant was that I have known of cases in which two people were still legally married, but for one reason or another did not finalize things in the courts and both had other relationships at the time. In these cases, the marriage was over in every way other than legally, and of course, both parties knew about the other's relationships.

On a slightly different topic, it is funny to me that Christians put so much weight on "legally married". In most other ways, I thought Christians were supposed to be more interested in the spirit of the law than in Caesar. Most Christian sects--other than Catholics who use annulment--don't even perform "religious" divorces; isn't that correct? Why are Christians so hung up on what the government defines as marriage in this one specific instance, but opposed to government intervention in their religious life in almost every other way? As everyone here probably knows, in Thailand, they have Buddhist marriage and secular marriage and neither one is dependent upon the other for its existence.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-28 09:55:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 28 2009, 03:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I think the more correct version would be "doesn't HAVE to leave". I digress.


And you would be wrong. Feel free to take this to your local English teacher.


QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 28 2009, 03:34 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I'm curious. What is it about you that makes you so much better than everybody else?


One might ask you the same question. How is it that a self-proclaimed Christian switches so quickly from self-righteous moralizing about someone else's actions to "We can't all be like you and have such a gay looking goatee" within three posts? (Actually, I was relieved when I reread this, because at first I thought Robert said "grey looking goatee" and that it may be time for a dye job..."whew" dodged that bullet!)

FYI, I teach in Asia every summer, hence the reason I have met so many Asian people. (Not that I would defame anyone that may have met their spouse via other means.)
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-28 09:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 28 2009, 02:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Adultery IS a legal issue, though now days it is not cause for a divorce. Now days, the primary reason for divorce is when the marriage is “irretrievably broken”. Being “separated” means living in two different domiciles, NOT living together. A divorce doesn’t, or shouldn’t, take 5 years to accomplish, as is the case with thongd4me, which he clearly shows in his timeline. Anytime an individual who is legally married has sex with another person; that is adultery, plain and simple. This has NOTHING to do with being a “Christian”. It has to do with both statutory laws and religious laws. There is a reason why certain States require that a husband and wife live apart during their divorce proceedings, which then classifies them as being legally “separated”. Legalities aside, any person involved in a divorce is in no way emotionally available to get involved in another relationship, and I don’t know many women who would have anything to do with a man, who is “separated”, as they know what will be the potential outcome. As for men, they don’t think with the proper brain in these cases and don’t have a problem going after a woman who is “separated”.


There is so much wrong here that it is difficult to address it all, however:

1. Adultery is not even on the books in 28 states, and it is unenforceable in the rest due to US Supreme Court decisions regarding privacy. It is not a legal "issue," though it may be on the books where an individual lives. Laws against oral sex are still on the books in many states, though no one would seriously argue that they are a "legal issue".

2. Being separated does not necessarily mean living in two separate domiciles. You seem to have said that because you believed it and didn't bother to look it up. Some states even allow a couple to be legally separated or divorced while living in the same house. It's actually fairly common when separations are not acrimonious.

3. I didn't say that it wasn't adultery. I said that it was not a legal issue, and it isn't.

4. Many people have had very "clean" divorces that were mutually agreed upon. One couple I know stayed together until their child graduated rather than screw up her last year in school. Any emotional involvement in the marriage was long gone well before the paperwork was signed. A person who is still emotionally attached to a previous relationship probably should not be getting involved in another relationship, however whether that emotional attachment still exists is not for you to determine.

QUOTE
Getting involved with another person, while in the midst of a divorce, shows a total lack of moral character and judgment, given that the individual is not emotionally available, and statistically tends to end up in yet another failed relationship. This is known as a “rebound relationship”. An individual should not be looking for another partner before they have terminated their current relationship, resolved all their issues, and is ready for another relationship. These facts are well documented.


You are confusing facts and opinions. You have one fact in the above paragraph, "statistically tends to end up in yet another failed relationship." The rest is your opinion, stated as fact. As I have said, I know cases in which the above is not true.

QUOTE
...does not show good judgment
...shows both insecurity and an obsession
...he constantly posts
...he still has issues


A very full paragraph indeed. Do you really need to ask me why any specific individual doesn't come to this site anymore?

QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 28 2009, 03:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Or you could actually ask someone who has a wife that drinks those kind of drinks, and the answer would be "Dannon"

You can either get Dannon Activia or Dannon Light and Fit. Either one will do the trick, and you don't have to go any place special to buy them.


My wife says Dannon is too creamy. YMMV.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-28 09:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 27 2009, 10:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Didn't realize that you had inside information, or that you and he were buds... why is it HYENA isn't posting this?

I can't speak for him on that issue.


QUOTE
Guess people can justify their actions whether or not they are moraly or legally justified. whistling.gif

There is certainly no legal issue.
I would contend that there is not a moral issue either.
There is probably a Christian issue.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-27 22:39:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 27 2009, 09:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah not my business of course, but I was just curious. People post all kinds of personal things here, I was just looking for some clarification. Doesn't affect my life, so I really don't care.


I knew a couple that was separated but still living in the same house for personal reasons--the guy's wife was dating one of his friends. He had no problem with it at all.


toma1MaleThailand2009-11-27 21:43:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 27 2009, 09:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (thongd4me @ Nov 27 2009, 07:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Gee, I thought they were ALREADY tight...

Just a little "nip & tuck"

I'm not trying to be a jerk, but looking at your time line, how did your wife feel about you taking a yearly trip to Thailand to see this girl? You might want to stop advertising your time line. Just a guess.


MANY people separate, but do not finalize their divorce for YEARS for any number of reasons that are certainly not my business.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-27 21:32:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (MarkNAam @ Nov 23 2009, 08:33 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (toma1 @ Nov 23 2009, 08:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 23 2009, 03:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So... did HYENA get married? His 90 days are up. unsure.gif


Yes.


Good for him! good.gif I hope his job hunt is going better...


He did find a nursing job a few weeks ago.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-24 12:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 23 2009, 03:39 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
So... did HYENA get married? His 90 days are up. unsure.gif


Yes.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-23 08:30:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 21 2009, 11:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Yeah Americans are cheap. She probably got that down on "New road" Charoaen Krung I think. My ex niece is from down there. Be careful of the Thai/Chinese down there.

Hey we agree on something!


haha... finally.

That's the Chinatown gold district. We got the sin sot gold there. Actually the guy that gave her the earrings recommended a place; he doesn't specialize in gold. But his shop is in the Siam Commercial Bank building.

The prices in Chinatown were all about the same, but the workmanship of the gold varied a lot. We really liked the stuff in that shop. I can't remember the name, though. It had a green sign. Most of the signs in the gold district are red.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-21 23:18:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 21 2009, 10:41 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (toma1 @ Nov 21 2009, 09:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 21 2009, 10:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
tsk tsk me all you want. The exception, not the rule.


Yeah, but it's not THAT much of an exception. Look at how may students are at ABAC or UTCC. Or studying abroad. It's not a small number. Someone's buying those exotic cars in Paragon.

It is an exception. What percentage of people that walk in there asking for J1 B1/B2 etc. actually get it? It's pretty low. If they can buy a car at Paragon or anything on that street, they will get it. All about money in the bank for B1/B2. It's all about the family and the Baht.


I agree that it is an exception, but there are a LOT of wealthy Thais. In addition to the government jobs I mentioned, many of the rich ones are ethnic Chinese merchants. One of them gave my wife a 45k baht pair of diamond earrings (from his shop) for a wedding gift. He wasn't even a relative. Thinking back, I couldn't believe the generosity of the guests at the wedding. Americans are nowhere near as generous with gifts.


toma1MaleThailand2009-11-21 22:57:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 21 2009, 10:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
tsk tsk me all you want. The exception, not the rule.


Yeah, but it's not THAT much of an exception. Look at how may students are at ABAC or UTCC. Or studying abroad. It's not a small number. Someone's buying those exotic cars in Paragon.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-21 22:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (ashbee @ Nov 21 2009, 10:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 21 2009, 09:16 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ashbee @ Nov 21 2009, 09:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 21 2009, 08:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ashbee @ Nov 21 2009, 08:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 19 2009, 11:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (ashbee @ Nov 19 2009, 07:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Let me ask a question.

Did anyone here pay sin sot?

Get this- my future mother in law, whom I love and have a great relationship with, is making me pay 200k. BUT.. to keep up "appearances", shes putting 1mil baht out on display! Hahaha.. you gotta love Bangkokians.

I'm assuming we have a 85% shot at getting all the cash back after the ceremony.

But i'm wondering, is anyone else going through this?

Kinda your call I guess. My ex tried to hit me up for 300k. I didn't pay any sin sod for my current marriage. I do send her parents money whenever they ask. It's never alot. Maybe 5k baht every couple months.

I've seen people get totally scammed. Buying cars etc. The usual Thai tradition is to pay it. 1 million whether for display or not, is alot. Kinda depends on her education, family etc. They do, do that with the gold and the money etc. at the ceremony and give it back. It's all about appearances.

I'm pretty jaded about all this. I would tell them when she is on US soil, the money will be forthcoming. Not trying to be negative, but I lived there for 3 years and saw some pretty weird things.



I mean i suppose its not a big deal. It's not like we will ever have to send them money for anything, save an economic catastrophe (fingers crossed). It's just funny to me how that was the first thing that came out of her mouth when we talked about marriage. I also lived in there (Bkk+Phuket) for 6 years and saw plenty of people get DONE IN by sin sot.

You're gonna send money there. It wont be alot, but be prepared for it.


I don't know. If the past is anything to go off of, would be willing to bet big money it will be the other way around.

Laugh. If you're getting money sent to the US from Thailand, they will build a statue of you in Udon Thani.



Tsk tsk... my friend you assume my girl is from Isaan. She (we) are Bangkok people. But since you bring it up, the first time we all traveled abroad together, her family sprung for the bill. The same was true when they came to visit us in Dubai.

As i'm sure noone needs to tell you, Thailand is crazily dualistic. This is just another example of it.


It's funny... and it's just the opposite of here, too. A lot of these folks are government employees, university faculty, or Thai Army officers. My father in law didn't build his house, his battalion did... lol



toma1MaleThailand2009-11-21 22:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (Alan D. @ Nov 20 2009, 05:46 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
New topic .. new question ... hoping somebody can help me out here...

What is yogurt milk ? ... and what do they call it in America?

On has been looking for this, but I have no idea what she's talking about. (not buttermilk, tried that. nope)


Most of the drinking yogurts here are not like the ones in Thailand. She's probably talking about Yakult.
Ask her if this is what she wants: ?????????????????


If so, it's hard to find it here, though you might be able to get it in an Asian grocery store.
http://www.yakult.co.jp/


If not, go to Walmart and find "Bio Salud!" by El Viajero. It's as close are you can get.
http://www.walmart.c...uct_id=10402773

toma1MaleThailand2009-11-21 21:17:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 21 2009, 11:26 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
To Sin Sot or not to Sin Sot... That is the question!

You do what feels right! smile.gif

Here's a picture of ours.


That's prettier with all of the different denominations!
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-21 13:33:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (ashbee @ Nov 19 2009, 08:56 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Let me ask a question.

Did anyone here pay sin sot?

Get this- my future mother in law, whom I love and have a great relationship with, is making me pay 200k. BUT.. to keep up "appearances", shes putting 1mil baht out on display! Hahaha.. you gotta love Bangkokians.

I'm assuming we have a 85% shot at getting all the cash back after the ceremony.

But i'm wondering, is anyone else going through this?


I did. Ours is the wikipedia photo here:

http://en.wikipedia....iki/Bride_price

Scroll down about half way and keep clicking on the photo... you'll see a big version.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-19 21:01:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (DaveTX @ Nov 11 2009, 09:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Thanks guys... just got the call.. APPROVED! kicking.gif kicking.gif kicking.gif

She has to come back to get the visa on 11/16! Thanks for the support! She said it was just 2 questions, how did we meet and 1 other I didn't catch. She did the interview in English.


Awesome!

Now go have a drink...
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-11 21:28:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (daboyz @ Nov 9 2009, 12:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (toma1 @ Nov 8 2009, 10:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
After discussing this with several others, we think that the variables I brought up are multicollinear.

For example, living in Bangkok, job, and income, which appear (to me anyway) to be related to good experiences in the embassy, might actually all be collinear with education level and/or English ability. That does make a lot of sense. It could be that just one or two of the variables is making all of them look important, because they are all correlated with one another.

For example, if the Embassy showed some level of discrimination based on English ability we would likely find that English ability is heavily influenced by education level which in turn influences career, which influences income level. That could make income level appear to be significant, when it was actually English ability that was causing the problem.

laugh. multicollinear.

Hilarious.


sorry... "have the tendency to run together"

http://en.wikipedia....lticollinearity

Edited by toma1, 09 November 2009 - 12:08 AM.

toma1MaleThailand2009-11-09 00:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
After discussing this with several others, we think that the variables I brought up are multicollinear.

For example, living in Bangkok, job, and income, which appear (to me anyway) to be related to good experiences in the embassy, might actually all be collinear with education level and/or English ability. That does make a lot of sense. It could be that just one or two of the variables is making all of them look important, because they are all correlated with one another.

For example, if the Embassy showed some level of discrimination based on English ability we would likely find that English ability is heavily influenced by education level which in turn influences career, which influences income level. That could make income level appear to be significant, when it was actually English ability that was causing the problem.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-08 23:53:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 6 2009, 04:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (toma1 @ Nov 6 2009, 04:38 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Anya: Just curious. Were you the beneficiary or the petitioner?

Nevermind... I just read your story. Very nice.

Are you working here now?


secret7vf.gif She was the beneficiary, and just became a U.S. Citizen. It's in her signature! wink.gif


Ya... I got it when I read her bio. I have signatures turned off. Absent minded professors... blush.gif

Edited by toma1, 06 November 2009 - 04:52 PM.

toma1MaleThailand2009-11-06 16:51:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
Anya: Just curious. Were you the beneficiary or the petitioner?

Nevermind... I just read your story. Very nice.

Are you working here now?

Edited by toma1, 06 November 2009 - 04:41 PM.

toma1MaleThailand2009-11-06 16:38:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (toma1 @ Nov 6 2009, 03:54 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I didn't go to my wife's interview. But she told me that she and the interviewer spent half+ of the interview discussing stem cell banking and that he could have it done in Thailand much cheaper than back home. You know, they couldn't even get her fingerprints at the embassy. The scanning machines can't read them because they are extremely shallow. They told her that she would have to come back another day when they could have a fingerprint expert take them on paper. She said, "Awww, but I already have my ticket... unsure.gif" And he said (very apologetically), "Well, we can't give visas based on that..." She said that she looked dejected and he said, "Oh... I'll let USCIC deal with this when you get to the states." And he passed her through without prints! (We had the same problem here when we went to do the biometrics--two appointments because of fingerprints.)


I meant to type USCIS.. not CIC... damn edit controls...
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-06 16:00:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (anya-D @ Nov 6 2009, 03:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
IMO, eventhough they might have those voice in the back of their head, I'd like to think / expect that the embassy employee are more professional than to show those type of discrimation that has nothing to do with the eligibility of the visa itself. But I would also think that combinding those little voice with the lack of eveidence, the outcome might be different. But I'd think the interviewee's attitude problably play more role than her education or english skills.


EXACTLY-EXACTLY-EXACTLY RIGHT!

That's why I said that I think that the application gets more scrutiny than it might otherwise get. I don't think it necessarily affects the final result, but I DO think those factors make it more likely that you won't get the K1 visa on the first try due to increased scrutiny.

I didn't go to my wife's interview. But she told me that she and the interviewer spent half+ of the interview discussing stem cell banking and that he could have it done in Thailand much cheaper than back home. You know, they couldn't even get her fingerprints at the embassy. The scanning machines can't read them because they are extremely shallow. They told her that she would have to come back another day when they could have a fingerprint expert take them on paper. She said, "Awww, but I already have my ticket... unsure.gif" And he said (very apologetically), "Well, we can't give visas based on that..." She said that she looked dejected and he said, "Oh... I'll let USCIC deal with this when you get to the states." And he passed her through without prints! (We had the same problem here when we went to do the biometrics--two appointments because of fingerprints.)


toma1MaleThailand2009-11-06 15:54:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (anya-D @ Nov 6 2009, 11:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
toma1 - I'm actually not offended in what you siad.. I actually think it might hold true to some degree (Not everything on your list btw). Eventhough we like to think the US embassy cant judge people by demographic, education and background, I think we cant expect every one of them are the same. But - I also know that a lot of time, it doesnt matter at all.

A LOT of the time--it doesn't; very true! But since there are (relatively speaking) so few interviewers it would only take a few of them to bias the results coming out of the embassy's "black box" such that people with higher educations (or better English skills, or whatever) would--on average--then have better experiences that people with lesser educations.

Correct?

QUOTE (anya-D @ Nov 6 2009, 11:00 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I would agree most on the occupation - ever work in a bar - as it's a slipery slope. It would also depend on the location of the bar too thouhg.. like if the bar itself is in Patphong, Nana or Soi cowboy.. that would rise a big red flag quicker than a bar in say - Ladpraw. The red flag is not about wheather the girl is a scam but more if the girl is involve in prostitution.


Correct, and that is what I really meant by "bar"--just trying to be polite. I'd use the word "nightclub" for something on RCA, which I love, BTW.

Shift manager at Slim? I don't think anyone would think much of it.

Cocktail waitress at Q-bar? I've gotta think some questions will be asked...

ANY job at ANY bar in Nana Plaza? I don't think you will picking up your visa two days later...

Edited by toma1, 06 November 2009 - 12:33 PM.

toma1MaleThailand2009-11-06 12:31:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 6 2009, 09:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Having a piece of paper doesn't guarantee anything in life!

Unless one's degree came from an email spam, I assume this is hyperbole, but the general point is obviously true.

QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 6 2009, 09:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
I don't look down on people who don't have a college degree, and I don't think there's anything special about people who do have college degrees (I've met a lot of college grads that have ZERO common sense). A lot of times it's more about opportunity, finances, and personal life choices, as to whether or not someone can get a higher education.

Any one that has taught at the local state university for any length of time would have to agree. I had one very nice woman in a class that was not really very bright (by her own admission). She just wanted a D so that she could finally graduate and take a six figure job at her dad's huge development company. She told me that she knew that she had no business being in school, but that her dad had told her that she HAD to get a degree before she could work there. [Wow... that must be a record for the most "she's" in one sentence.]

QUOTE (*Robert* @ Nov 6 2009, 09:57 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
With that said, it is a proven fact that, on average, the more education you have, the more money you make. Though it might not be the case for everyone in today's economy, the basic principle is true; however, it doesn't mean that someone without a strong educational background can't be as equally, if not more, successful.

I agree with all of that. There are almost always outliers from the mean.
Can we agree that using outliers in an attempt to discount the mean (as we have seen in other posts) displays a lack of education in statistics? wink.gif

Edited by toma1, 06 November 2009 - 12:10 PM.

toma1MaleThailand2009-11-06 12:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (Thai Rath @ Nov 6 2009, 11:38 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Regardless of how I feel about what's been said, it never ceases to amaze me when folks come to this forum, say something they know is provocative (and based solely on what 99% of us are posting about: our experiences, which are limited in the grand scheme of things), and then act all indignant when people get upset about it. Like you didn't know that was going to happen! Just take responsibility for what you say, that's all.


1. It's provocative to point out that I believe that there is some level of discrimination going on in the process? Sorry, no, I don't "know" that.

2. I specifically said that I was drawing on experiences outside this board.
toma1MaleThailand2009-11-06 11:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresSAWASDEE 3 (2009 Thai thread restarted)
QUOTE (Kang Lang @ Nov 5 2009, 07:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
toma1,

i can only speak for myself and i'm sure it matters not one bit but i wasn't angered at all by what you said. i didn't agree, but it didn't make me angry. everyone is entitled to their opinion of course, it's one of the very shaky legs this country was founded on! (not trying to spark political debate....just some levity folks happy.gif )

it's just the internet folks, sometimes we forget that i suppose, we don't "know" each other and hopefully don't spend our spare time consumed with how to evoke change in other peoples "faulty" viewpoints.

anywho i thought i was just commenting and disagreeing respectfull, if it offended you that would be a shame as it wasn't intended to insult.


You were being very respectful! And frankly, I cannot recall being offended by anything in years anyway; don't worry about it.

Frustration... ya, perhaps. I love a good debate--even if I am the only one on one side of it. But I really hate a bad debate.

I wonder what started the "education doesn't matter" bandwagon. Honestly, I don't care what people think of higher ed. It was a lifestyle choice for me, period. But it is strange that (many) people are going down the "who cares about education anyway?" road. If they want to disagree with my original statement, they should be arguing that "education makes no difference in the visa process." A few did. RSN was one, I believe.

The only thing I even said about education being important was in response to a particularly asinine comment that there was no correlation between education and income. This link has been studied so many times, under so many different conditions, in so many different places that it is impossible to deny it intelligently. The only thing one can say is "I deny the link exists and all of the evidence that shows that that there is a link is intentionally biased." This statement is akin to saying that "The earth is flat and anyone that says otherwise is lying, and no, I won't cite any evidence for my belief." I was happy to bow out of that debate as it had nowhere to go.

My last post was an attempt show people that my argument is that there is some level discrimination in the process. The opposite argument--that everyone else seems to be taking--is that there is not discrimination in the process, hence everyone gets the level of treatment that they deserve. This is basically what Robert said when he replied, "The bottom line concerning getting a visa is: having all the proper evidence and proving a bona fide relationship." He politely did not add, "or else you get what you deserve," but how else can you really take that statement? Did everyone that suffered through needless delays in the process not really have a bonifide relationship? Did they all botch the paperwork? Really? (Though Robert still didn't address the fact that I was talking about procedural delays rather than end results.) Sigh.

Anyway, thanks for the followup... no offense taken.

(I would take issue with the statement that Steve Jobs is well adjusted. As a 30 year Apple user, I admit the man is a brilliant, visionary leader. But his personal life, until recently, was a mess.)

toma1MaleThailand2009-11-05 20:08:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo you think age difference would be a problem?
QUOTE (Arabella @ Aug 11 2009, 09:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
He's Canadian


Yep, he's Canadian, so you'll be ok. Canadians rarely marry Americans for green cards. But whatever happens in your situation is not applicable to a woman marrying someone 11-12 years her junior from the Dominican Republic.

This is not a court of law in which the petitioner (or beneficiary) is innocent until proven guilty. It is very much the opposite situation. In the eyes of the embassy interviewer, you are guilty of visa fraud until you prove that you are not.
toma1MaleThailand2009-09-13 21:05:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo you think age difference would be a problem?
I got a kick out of these responses.

I'm 47 and my wife is 32. We had no visa issues whatsoever. Before we were married, I dated a number of women in their early 20s and finally decided that that was too much drama for me. As far as I can tell, however, 21 year old women are more mature that 21 year old men.

The petitioner asked us to be honest, and this is my honest opinion: This relationship has red flag written all over it. I suspect that the petition will be granted, but that problems will occur at the embassy interview. Be prepared to prove that your fiancee is not marrying you for a green card.
toma1MaleThailand2009-09-13 20:50:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpired Passport
QUOTE (toma1 @ Sep 13 2009, 10:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Sep 13 2009, 09:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
An expired or cancelled passport will not be accepted. The OP needs to find his current (valid, unexpired) passport or his Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or else obtain a Certificate of Citizenship.


That's wrong. I used an expired, cancelled passport as proof myself. There may be a 10-year requirement, however, I'm not sure about that.


By the way, let me clarify that I mean that he should use the expired passport to obtain a new passport and then send that new passport to USCIS.


toma1MaleThailand2009-09-13 21:20:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpired Passport
QUOTE (Stephen + Elisha @ Sep 13 2009, 09:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
An expired or cancelled passport will not be accepted. The OP needs to find his current (valid, unexpired) passport or his Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or else obtain a Certificate of Citizenship.


That's wrong. I used an expired, cancelled passport as proof myself. There may be a 10-year requirement, however, I'm not sure about that.
toma1MaleThailand2009-09-13 21:09:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresExpired Passport
QUOTE (Bacon @ Sep 13 2009, 04:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Has anyone tried to prove citizenship with their passport and do you know if a cancelled one will work?


Yep, I did that when I lost mine. I used an old cancelled passport. Read the passport rules on the DOS website, they are pretty clear.

toma1MaleThailand2009-09-13 20:29:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Age Requirements
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 18 2009, 06:40 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Possibly need a co-sponsor but it doesn't take too exceptional a person to make $18,212 per year. It takes a real exceptional one for two people to actually LIVE on that amount) Check out clerks at Target qualify. A full time student may have a hard time with it, true.


I stand corrected, then. But you're right, all of the 21 year olds I meet are students.
toma1MaleThailand2009-09-18 05:59:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresK-1 Age Requirements
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 17 2009, 03:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (Kyle & Cheryl @ Sep 17 2009, 02:52 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Hello, I've attempted to search for a thread that answers my question but couldn't seem to find one. My fiance and I are only 20/21 years old; Legally able to marry but I was curious if this would pose any potential problems/scrutiny during the process?

Wonderful site you have here!


No. You can search forever. There is NO age restriction. You must be "legally able to marry" that is all.



There is no age restriction, that is correct. However the OP also asked, "I was curious if this would pose any potential problems/scrutiny during the process?"

I know that huge age differences sometimes do cause additional scrutiny. I'm not sure about very young petitioners, however. 20/21 is not really that young; a petitioner from New Hampshire could theoretically be 13 years old. I'm sure that would get someone's attention. I would suppose 20 would not be an issue, though unless you are an exceptional 21 year old, I'm guessing that you will need to have a cosponsor.
toma1MaleThailand2009-09-17 19:27:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo things go faster when using an Immigration Lawyer?
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 18 2009, 11:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Ukraine 134 and Russia 147 out of 180. Hmmm I would have guessed them at worse. LOL But then look at what is below them. They can hold their heads high after all!

Yeah, but look at the scores themselves and you'll get a better picture of what's happening. It's still pretty bad. There are simply a lot of "completely corrupt" places. Somalia, which for all intents and purposes has no government at all, is a 1.0--the minimum score. Document? Doctor? Forget about that. In Somalia you bribe the roving gangs of warlords not to kill you and sell your children to the highest bidder. I think Russia was a 2.1, right? A LOT of the third world scores higher than that.

Americans are generally shocked and indignant to find out that they are not #1 on the list and that, in fact, Singapore kicks their butts.

QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 18 2009, 11:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
LOL 1/2 of Ukrainians and ALL Poles will be offended by the nickname "Russian" My wife, from east Ukraine is sure to pint out she is "really Russian" on the other hand. I think ALL Ukrainians know about the corruption, it is hard not to, nay, impossible. It is at every level of government. If there is a dog catcher (and I do not think there is based on the number of wild dogs running everywhere) he is corrupt. Literally ANYTHING can be had or expedited for a price. The price varies and that is about the only difference. You cannot even get a copy of a document without paying a bribe. You cannot see a doctor without paying a bribe, school teachers pay bribes to the principals to keep their jobs, they take bribes from students for better grades so they can pay the bribes to the principal, it is complete and rotten to the core. The good news is, once you get through the line to the clerk you will pretty much get whatever you want as long as you have cash. No waiting 12 weeks for the SS card like here. I am absolutely certain the corruption extends to the drivers lisence issuing people. blink.gif


Yeah, I heard about the students bribing the teachers. In Cambodia the students have to pay to go to school every day. You can see 8-9 year olds out on the street selling gum and books at midnight in order to go to school the next morning. So sure, for every bad there is a worse.

It's a funny that you mentioned the driver's license. My wife told me just this evening that she never took the written exam in Thailand. She just paid and got the license. (Fortunately they did make her take the road test... at least they had some standard.)

Edited by toma1, 18 September 2009 - 10:38 PM.

toma1MaleThailand2009-09-18 22:36:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo things go faster when using an Immigration Lawyer?
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 18 2009, 06:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Exactly, hence my comment about the misconceptions of the general population about the Soviet Union. Also most people tend to still consufe all that stuff and refer to Ukraine, Belarus, etc., as "Russia". Tell someone you are flying to Kiev and 95% of them will say "Oh, you are going to Russia?" Not surprising given that yesterday I heard that high school students in Oklahoma were given the Citizenship test and a whopping 3% of them passed. blush.gif Immigrants have a 92% firt try pass rate.

OMG they count corruption? Really? How would one count corruption in Ukraine or Russia? It is everywhere for everything, there is a barely a transaction with any government agency for any reason that does not involve corruption, bribery or coercion of some sort. My MIL pays a bribe to get her pension check delivered. $1 to the mailman or no pension check! It is nothing to be "afraid of" you just deal with it.

Off-Topic2.gif

OP...Glad this site is of help to you. It is the best, no doubt


We have a LOT of Ukrainian students for some reason, and they tell me the same things. On one study abroad program we did in China, we had a student from the Ukraine and another from Poland. The other students gave the pair the nickname "the Russians".

Transparency International has a much quoted corruption index that they compile every year. I use it quite a bit in my classes. Russia and the former Soviet republics make up a good percentage of the bottom of the list. Here's the link to the table:

http://www.transpare.../cpi_2008_table

They count corruption by surveying a group of experts, among other things; the methodology is also available on the site, if you're interested. There is a short version here:

http://www.transpare...surveys_indices
toma1MaleThailand2009-09-18 07:35:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo things go faster when using an Immigration Lawyer?
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 17 2009, 03:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
One must admire your chivalry for defending the weak (of mind) But someone who thinks I should fear the KGB is not likely to be referring to statistics of international crime. What d'ya bet? laughing.gif Just a hunch. Actually I have found Russian and Ukraianian people to be very obliging and hosptiable. The crime seems to be focused mainly on the criminal gangs who we are all a little better off without. If they mamange to hit their target...who is a loser? The regular person walking the street in Moscow, Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa, etc (especially in the central city areas) has little to fear of crime in the street, certainly no more so than any big city here.


I'll concede the point, but frankly, a tourist had little to fear from the KGB even when there WAS a KGB.

Your other comment about gangs being the source as well as the target of most crime--based on some quick research--checks out. Russian crime is high for offenses that are more likely to be mafia-related (murder, conspiracy, corruption) but lower for offenses that are less likely to be mafia crimes (robbery, rape, assault).
toma1MaleThailand2009-09-17 15:06:00
K-1 Fiance(e) Visa Process & ProceduresDo things go faster when using an Immigration Lawyer?
QUOTE (Gary and Alla @ Sep 17 2009, 02:09 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE (anka @ Sep 17 2009, 01:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
QUOTE
The really funny thing (not really) is when you say something like this to people they think it is because Ukraine was the Soviet Union and that UKRAINE does not let people travel freely. rofl.gif People nearly swallow their tongues when I tell them "No, it is the UNITED STATES that doesn't let Ukrainians travel freely"


Oh my goodness I know! The amount of times I've had to explain to people that no, it's not actually Russia - it's the U.S. - and then watch their jaws drop to the floor, is simply countless! tongue.gif laughing.gif


The amount of people that think this is astounding (embarassing). Can I tell you how many times I have been asked if I "feel safe" in Ukraine or Russia? SAFE? Safe from What? "You know...the KGB." laughing.gif


They are asking a good question, but assuming the wrong source of the problem.

It's the every day crime that I would be concerned about...

http://en.wikipedia...._by_country.svg
toma1MaleThailand2009-09-17 13:41:00