TORONTO - If you're looking for love while working abroad, consider a move to Thailand.
And pray head office doesn't send you to Qatar. A survey of over 3,100 expatriates around the world by HSBC Bank International compared their experiences while living and working abroad. Almost half of expats surveyed in Thailand said they found love in the country, compared with just four per cent who had the same good luck in India or Qatar.
Canada was judged the best place in the world overall to live as an expatriate. Australia was in second place and Thailand in third.
The survey indicated that expats in Canada have the best quality of life and find it relatively easy to integrate with the local population.
Considered to be the worst for expatriates in a list of 26 countries were China, Britain, Russia, India and, in last place, Qatar.
The report covered such things as accommodation, food, entertainment, health care, working hours and commuting to work.
Over half of the expats questioned had lived abroad for more than five years.
In Thailand, 60 per cent of expats said they had household staff. In Vietnam, more than 90 per cent did.
In Britain, over half of the expats surveyed said the quality of their accommodation declined since moving there. Expats also complained about the weather in Britain.
Quality of accommodation was also a problem for expats in Hong Kong.
The survey indicated that France offers expats the best health care, followed by Belgium and Switzerland.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Besides the meaning of life and the ingredients of hot dogs, many a man has questioned, "What exactly do women want?" We're not playing coy here, we know we're complex creatures. And, true, we operate on a different wavelength than men.
But women aren't exactly the great mystery that men often make us out to be. The proof? We polled the YourTango staff and compiled a list of 9 simple things women want. Note: you won't find diamond rings or other fancy things anywhere on this list. While many women really do want luxury goods from men, when you break it down they are just physical representations of some of the points on this list. We promise.More on Dating From YourTango:
10 Dating Mindsets Sabotaging Your Love Life
10 Basic Rules for a New Relationship
1. Respect. Show us through your actions that you respect our opinions, careers, interests, friends, bodies, and minds. You don't have to agree with all that we say or do, but try to honor our opinions as valuable contributions. Follow the golden rule and treat us as you would like to be treated: Be honest, fair, kind, and considerate.
2. Romance. It's another night on the couch with takeout and TiVo? Just because we're staying in doesn't mean the evening can't be romantic. Light a few candles and see where the night leads. Treat us like your girlfriend, even after we become your wife. Date nights, physical affection in the car, kissing like when we first started dating -- all of the things that made us fall in love with you don't have to stop just because now there are bills to pay, a house to be cleaned, and kids to be bathed. Bring home flowers for no reason. We're not talking $100 bouquets of roses here. Even the $10 bouquets from the supermarket are enough to make us smile.
3. Time. We understand relationships can't be all wine and roses; simply making the time to be with us and treating us like your top priority says "love" more than all the fancy gifts and lovely letters ever could. This includes helping around the house. The realities of a 21st-century relationship are that both partners probably work. If you happen to get home before we do, why not vacuum the living room or throw in a load of laundry? If you take the garbage out without being asked, chances are you'll be getting a big ole smooch when you come back.
4. Dinner. Of the homemade variety. You may not be good at cooking and you may not know how to boil water. But greeting us at the door after a long day with fish sticks (or whatever you can wrastle up) makes us swoon, because it shows that you've been thinking about us and our hectic day.
5. Communication. Women are vocal creatures. We know you love us, but it's nice to hear you say it, too. We can also be insecure. We wish we weren't, but the reality is that we often notice our wobbly thighs and forget about our gorgeous eyes. So let us know when you think we're hot. Tell us we're beautiful. It helps us feel good. Words of appreciation aren't half-bad either. Tell us you love the lasagna we made. Notice that we cleaned the bathtub. It doesn't have to be over the top, just let us know that you see the effort we put in, and you're grateful.
6. Consistency. This doesn't mean be boring and predictable. It means that we know you will (usually -- no one is perfect!) give us the love and support we need. Knowing that you're coming at this with the same desires and energy as we are goes a long way to making us feel secure.
7. Engagement. Of the mental kind, not the "I'm getting married in the morning" kind. You don't have to like everything we like (we might be a little concerned if you do), but showing interest in our passions, be it career-related, a sport, or a hobby, goes a long way. Listen when we talk to you. We're not speaking just so we can hear our own voice; we want to connect with you and this is one valuable way we do this. This also means paying attention to the little things. Whether it's the name of your best friend's husband or the fact that you hate Nicolas Cage movies, it's the little things you remember about us that's so endearing.
8. Humor and Humility. These two tend to go hand in hand. This doesn't mean that you have to crack jokes or entertain us, but just being able to laugh at yourself is enough. Guys who take themselves too seriously bring everyone down.
9. Challenge. Not the kind that makes a relationship constant work, but the good kind that surprises and motivates us to do, be, or achieve what we desire. Studies show that partners who prod each other to meet goals -- in other words, don't support lazy or bad habits -- are ultimately happier than those who don't hold each other accountable.More From YourTango:
How to Ace the "What Are We?" Talk
Seven Traits of Irresistible Men
Four Signs You're More Than Friends
Most Popular Dating Articles:
Dating 101: Dealing With the Race Factor
Dating 101: Secrets to Keep and Secrets to Spill
Dating 101: Four Things Never to Utter Around Him
Dating Secret Exposed: Why Nice Guys Finish Last
Dating 101: Four Signs He's Over You
What's Behind the Trend of Women Dating Younger Men?
But women aren't exactly the great mystery that men often make us out to be. The proof? We polled the YourTango staff and compiled a list of 9 simple things women want. Note: you won't find diamond rings or other fancy things anywhere on this list. While many women really do want luxury goods from men, when you break it down they are just physical representations of some of the points on this list. We promise.More on Dating From YourTango:
10 Dating Mindsets Sabotaging Your Love Life
10 Basic Rules for a New Relationship
1. Respect. Show us through your actions that you respect our opinions, careers, interests, friends, bodies, and minds. You don't have to agree with all that we say or do, but try to honor our opinions as valuable contributions. Follow the golden rule and treat us as you would like to be treated: Be honest, fair, kind, and considerate.
2. Romance. It's another night on the couch with takeout and TiVo? Just because we're staying in doesn't mean the evening can't be romantic. Light a few candles and see where the night leads. Treat us like your girlfriend, even after we become your wife. Date nights, physical affection in the car, kissing like when we first started dating -- all of the things that made us fall in love with you don't have to stop just because now there are bills to pay, a house to be cleaned, and kids to be bathed. Bring home flowers for no reason. We're not talking $100 bouquets of roses here. Even the $10 bouquets from the supermarket are enough to make us smile.
3. Time. We understand relationships can't be all wine and roses; simply making the time to be with us and treating us like your top priority says "love" more than all the fancy gifts and lovely letters ever could. This includes helping around the house. The realities of a 21st-century relationship are that both partners probably work. If you happen to get home before we do, why not vacuum the living room or throw in a load of laundry? If you take the garbage out without being asked, chances are you'll be getting a big ole smooch when you come back.
4. Dinner. Of the homemade variety. You may not be good at cooking and you may not know how to boil water. But greeting us at the door after a long day with fish sticks (or whatever you can wrastle up) makes us swoon, because it shows that you've been thinking about us and our hectic day.
5. Communication. Women are vocal creatures. We know you love us, but it's nice to hear you say it, too. We can also be insecure. We wish we weren't, but the reality is that we often notice our wobbly thighs and forget about our gorgeous eyes. So let us know when you think we're hot. Tell us we're beautiful. It helps us feel good. Words of appreciation aren't half-bad either. Tell us you love the lasagna we made. Notice that we cleaned the bathtub. It doesn't have to be over the top, just let us know that you see the effort we put in, and you're grateful.
6. Consistency. This doesn't mean be boring and predictable. It means that we know you will (usually -- no one is perfect!) give us the love and support we need. Knowing that you're coming at this with the same desires and energy as we are goes a long way to making us feel secure.
7. Engagement. Of the mental kind, not the "I'm getting married in the morning" kind. You don't have to like everything we like (we might be a little concerned if you do), but showing interest in our passions, be it career-related, a sport, or a hobby, goes a long way. Listen when we talk to you. We're not speaking just so we can hear our own voice; we want to connect with you and this is one valuable way we do this. This also means paying attention to the little things. Whether it's the name of your best friend's husband or the fact that you hate Nicolas Cage movies, it's the little things you remember about us that's so endearing.
8. Humor and Humility. These two tend to go hand in hand. This doesn't mean that you have to crack jokes or entertain us, but just being able to laugh at yourself is enough. Guys who take themselves too seriously bring everyone down.
9. Challenge. Not the kind that makes a relationship constant work, but the good kind that surprises and motivates us to do, be, or achieve what we desire. Studies show that partners who prod each other to meet goals -- in other words, don't support lazy or bad habits -- are ultimately happier than those who don't hold each other accountable.More From YourTango:
How to Ace the "What Are We?" Talk
Seven Traits of Irresistible Men
Four Signs You're More Than Friends
Most Popular Dating Articles:
Dating 101: Dealing With the Race Factor
Dating 101: Secrets to Keep and Secrets to Spill
Dating 101: Four Things Never to Utter Around Him
Dating Secret Exposed: Why Nice Guys Finish Last
Dating 101: Four Signs He's Over You
What's Behind the Trend of Women Dating Younger Men?
Monday, November 23, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Hope your Halloween was AWESOME
I'm still in the treats state of mind. Give me a call and see if we can put a dent in the sweets!
Love Grace
Call toll free at 866-461-8470
Monday, October 26, 2009
MEN V WOMEN
The answer as to who, in the romance equation, is pickier when it comes to selecting a mate may come down to a question of who's doing the approaching and who's being approached, regardless of gender, finds a new study from researchers at Northwestern University.
The long-held belief is that women are more selective than men when it comes to mate selection. Why? Because females are programmed to consider the reproductive cost of choosing a partner, in other words, what bearing and raising children with the potential partner would be like.
A new study challenges this view. Typically at speed-dating events, single men make the rounds while single women remain seated. But when researchers at Northwestern University invited 350 undergrads to a round of four-minute speed-dates, they had women remain seated while men rotated for eight of the events and they had men remain seated while women rotated for the remaining seven events.
They found that the rotating students, regardless of gender, experienced more romantic desire and confidence (as indicated by their responses) after each date. What's more, after the rounds of speed dating ended and it was time for the students to go to a website to decide if they wanted to see their speed-date match-ups again, the students who were actively approaching rather than waiting to be approached were more keen on seeing their potential mates again.
The study is aligned with embodiment research which aims to show how physical actions can alter perceptions and how physical activity may intersect with psychological processes without our being aware. Study results will appear in an upcoming issue of the journal "Psychological Science."
"Given that men generally are expected -- and sometimes required -- to approach a potential love interest, the implications are intriguing," said co-investigator Eli Finkel, PhD, associate professor of social psychology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern, in a press release. "The mere act of physically approaching a potential partner, versus being approached, seemed to increase desire for that partner."
So the likelihood of a man, or a woman, finding a potential mate on any given outing may come down to who's most willing to make the first move.
The long-held belief is that women are more selective than men when it comes to mate selection. Why? Because females are programmed to consider the reproductive cost of choosing a partner, in other words, what bearing and raising children with the potential partner would be like.
A new study challenges this view. Typically at speed-dating events, single men make the rounds while single women remain seated. But when researchers at Northwestern University invited 350 undergrads to a round of four-minute speed-dates, they had women remain seated while men rotated for eight of the events and they had men remain seated while women rotated for the remaining seven events.
They found that the rotating students, regardless of gender, experienced more romantic desire and confidence (as indicated by their responses) after each date. What's more, after the rounds of speed dating ended and it was time for the students to go to a website to decide if they wanted to see their speed-date match-ups again, the students who were actively approaching rather than waiting to be approached were more keen on seeing their potential mates again.
The study is aligned with embodiment research which aims to show how physical actions can alter perceptions and how physical activity may intersect with psychological processes without our being aware. Study results will appear in an upcoming issue of the journal "Psychological Science."
"Given that men generally are expected -- and sometimes required -- to approach a potential love interest, the implications are intriguing," said co-investigator Eli Finkel, PhD, associate professor of social psychology in the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences at Northwestern, in a press release. "The mere act of physically approaching a potential partner, versus being approached, seemed to increase desire for that partner."
So the likelihood of a man, or a woman, finding a potential mate on any given outing may come down to who's most willing to make the first move.
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