I think it's natural that people should have something in common with their other half - but I wonder about some of the things I see and hear in conversation. The first example was when I was in Germany years ago - and this drone of an English guy kept going on about how he and Tracy were big F1 fans. On, and on, and on - till my other English pal cracked up and said:

"Tracy is only an F1 fan cos she's scared to tell you the truth, that she hates it." Which was true - the poor girl sat there and endured hours upon hours of him droning on about "their," passion - just to keep the peace. 

There's the old maxim that a wife should stand by her man in public even if he is wrong - maybe rooted in a fair few drunken arguments down in the social club. Then again, in the days of yore - a wife disagreeing with her man in public was liable to get a slap in the mouth behind closed doors. 

Over the years I've noticed a tendency for nincompoops to attach their wives to their opinions - as if it would add value to their position. I've also often seen the wives move uncomfortably from foot to foot as they do so.

But in Thailand -

In any foreign culture -

Surely the key is to dig out your wife's genuine view on any subject - especially local culture issues? Then be secure enough to accept that your lady doesn't agree with everything that comes out of your mouth.

But hey - maybe that's the root of it, maybe the "me and my wife think," meme is rooted in insecurity?