The economics of love, marriage, etc. Is this a good deal?

[hiyymer]

Standard economics is some boring shit. But a couple of years ago I read Freakonomics by...some guy, and found out that the principles of economics can be applied to a very wide range of phenomena. In the book, for example, the author embeds himself in a crack-dealing gang in Chicago in order to answer the question 'Why do crack dealers live with their mom?' or something like that. He also uses the principles of economics to figure out what makes a good parent, how/why sumo wrestlers cheat, and other interesting stuff you'd never associate with economics.

So today I get another e-mail from a young lady I met in Vietnam about 7 years ago. She sent the first one about a week ago, out of the blue. Reading between the lines of the 2nd e-mail, it looks like she's hot to get married and seems to be offering herself to me, though in the typical indirect Asian way.

Just as an intellectual exercise, I'd like to present this situation for discussion/debate. Here are a few of the key elements, mostly from my perspective, since I don't know much about her:

I'm pretty happy single. I don't get laid nearly enough, but more than some singles. I rely on the occasional fling and prostitution, though infrequently since the goddamn Christian-led nationwide crackdown . My personality is such that I need a great deal of time alone. I'm very involved in philosophy and things like making money, having friends, owning shit, etc, don't mean much to me at all. I was married for 2 years in the States before coming to Korea, and I hated married life. I don't like to talk to people or even be around them much; I only do it out of necessity. You get the idea. Also, I'm 47, so my prospects for occasional flings are waning, though prostitutes aren't so selective.

They say that you don't marry just an individual; you marry the whole family. Well, in Asia that's taken to the nth degree.
Here's the e-mail:

Hi,
Im so happy for your email too. And i also happy when you remember me. So very long time we are dont contact together but you are still remember me.
Im fine, im still leaving in HCM City , and im still saler girl but different place.My everything is the same from few years ago. I will send to you some my ficture for you look .I do it at my shop. I dont know what have i change for few years ago....?
So, why you dont get married? Are you busy or you dont like some the girls? Are you dont like Korea girl? The girl from Korea verry beautiful . How the girl do you like? pls, tell me know. When do you come back Vienam agian. If you come here i will intrudoce my young sister to you. She is 26 year old and she is accoutant. She is look like me.
Ok, see you soon.
Take care my friend.
Kissssss.
Nxxxxxxxx

There were also some pics, but I'm not sure that posting them is cool with forum rules, since she hasn't given consent. She's pretty fucking hot. So...pursue or not? Any input welcome.

So what I hear is that, since you are incapable of maintaining a normal relationship, you are looking for some kind of sexual contract of a more enduring sort. You will need a lot of power in the situation, so I recommend a prenuptial agreement. Make sure she wants to get a job when she gets here. Also make sure she will say she doesn't want children, and then take responsibility for it and get a vasectomy anyways. Children in this situation is a frightening thought.

[FBM]

Standard economics is some boring shit. But a couple of years ago I read Freakonomics by...some guy, and found out that the principles of economics can be applied to a very wide range of phenomena. In the book, for example, the author embeds himself in a crack-dealing gang in Chicago in order to answer the question 'Why do crack dealers live with their mom?' or something like that. He also uses the principles of economics to figure out what makes a good parent, how/why sumo wrestlers cheat, and other interesting stuff you'd never associate with economics.

So today I get another e-mail from a young lady I met in Vietnam about 7 years ago. She sent the first one about a week ago, out of the blue. Reading between the lines of the 2nd e-mail, it looks like she's hot to get married and seems to be offering herself to me, though in the typical indirect Asian way.

Just as an intellectual exercise, I'd like to present this situation for discussion/debate. Here are a few of the key elements, mostly from my perspective, since I don't know much about her:

I'm pretty happy single. I don't get laid nearly enough, but more than some singles. I rely on the occasional fling and prostitution, though infrequently since the goddamn Christian-led nationwide crackdown . My personality is such that I need a great deal of time alone. I'm very involved in philosophy and things like making money, having friends, owning shit, etc, don't mean much to me at all. I was married for 2 years in the States before coming to Korea, and I hated married life. I don't like to talk to people or even be around them much; I only do it out of necessity. You get the idea. Also, I'm 47, so my prospects for occasional flings are waning, though prostitutes aren't so selective.

They say that you don't marry just an individual; you marry the whole family. Well, in Asia that's taken to the nth degree.
Here's the e-mail:

Hi,
Im so happy for your email too. And i also happy when you remember me. So very long time we are dont contact together but you are still remember me.
Im fine, im still leaving in HCM City , and im still saler girl but different place.My everything is the same from few years ago. I will send to you some my ficture for you look .I do it at my shop. I dont know what have i change for few years ago....?
So, why you dont get married? Are you busy or you dont like some the girls? Are you dont like Korea girl? The girl from Korea verry beautiful . How the girl do you like? pls, tell me know. When do you come back Vienam agian. If you come here i will intrudoce my young sister to you. She is 26 year old and she is accoutant. She is look like me.
Ok, see you soon.
Take care my friend.
Kissssss.
Nxxxxxxxx

There were also some pics, but I'm not sure that posting them is cool with forum rules, since she hasn't given consent. She's pretty fucking hot. So...pursue or not? Any input welcome.

So what I hear is that, since you are incapable of maintaining a normal relationship, you are looking for some kind of sexual contract of a more enduring sort. You will need a lot of power in the situation, so I recommend a prenuptial agreement. Make sure she wants to get a job when she gets here. Also make sure she will say she doesn't want children, and then take responsibility for it and get a vasectomy anyways. Children in this situation is a frightening thought.

Eh...no. I'm looking for a steady supply of cheap hookers.

[Bella Fortuna]

Define "cheap."

[DRSB]

A great article "Marriage as a business proposal* here: http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/hap ... s-proposal

[FBM]

Define "cheap."

cheap: adj., 1. very unlikely to refuse offers
2. within reasonable walking or driving distance
3. capable of instant amnesia
4. oh, and less than, say, $150.

[Bella Fortuna]

Define "cheap."

cheap: adj., 1. very unlikely to refuse offers
2. within reasonable walking or driving distance
3. capable of instant amnesia
4. oh, and less than, say, $150.

Ah well, three outta four ain't bad...

[FBM]

Define "cheap."

cheap: adj., 1. very unlikely to refuse offers
2. within reasonable walking or driving distance
3. capable of instant amnesia
4. oh, and less than, say, $150.

Ah well, three outta four ain't bad...

Now...move to Asia...