[jessyhalm]

I think you did the right thing.

IMO age and income has nothing to do with it, although I would tend to agree that if I invite someone out for a meal then I would like to pay the bill.

As it was in Thailand, perhaps the Thai man seen you as a guest to his country and did the courteous thing by paying and as you said, it has allowed him to gain face in front of his girlfriend.

I have a friend in Krabi that always insisted on paying for meals anytime we met. I know he isn't on high income, but he is very proud man. Anytime I go there now I buy food and a bottle of whisky and bring it to his home. This avoids any sense of losing face, and if we do go out we take turn in paying the bills.

Frankly, any company you keep that always expects you to pay aren't worth being around. Even my friends that are on low income always return the gesture. Any genuine, decent person would invite you for a meal and they would pay for it. It may not be in a fancy restaurant, but the food will be just as good and it is often more than half the price of restaurants and cafes that ply for tourist trade.

P.S. Sorry Jerome. I just read this back and it sounds like the last paragraph is aimed at you. I meant you for anyone that may be reading this and is not familiar with this type of situation.