"Well Meaning Neighbors"?

Tweet

"Sawadee Krape" from "AMAZING THAILAND". (that's HELLO and GOODBYE in Thai.) I have a question for you MyLotters. How do you deal with "GOSSIP"? I live in a small community in Thailand where there are "Thais" and "FARANGS", (foreigners) living togather like one big family. In fact there is nothing that goes unoticed. Being a single male here and more specifically a single senior citizen living alone I come under close scrutiny as seniors are somewhat revered here and the Thai culture (male based), is geared toward the male first attitude meaning males for the most part are first and females are expected to be subservient to males. Having said that, my problem is this: For the last three years I have lived in this community and I am quite well known. Being the second oldest one in the block,(I used to be the oldest but a older friend moved in but that is another story.), I still get observed and or commented on by the inhabitants of our little village. I am single with a moderate fixed income and on a quest for the "right lady" in my life one more time before I leave this mortal coil called life. Since I have lived here The ladies of the community have several times set me up with the so called "right" lady for me. Prior to this I frequented the local clubs and bars here since this seemed like the most likely place to possibly find a potential mate. Well it goes without saying on a moderate fixed income the chances were slim at best since everyone worldwide is in a financial funk now. Well with my budget being what it is I pretty much stay at home. Now to the heart of the matter; Enter a lady I have recently met, 49 years and very pretty. This lady has her own salon which is how I met her. I had walked to get a haircut at the shop I usually go to. It was closed and I noticed the shop which I had never frequented before was open. I decided to give it a try. Got a great haircut and some even greater conversation. She and I ended up spending the rest of the day togather as business this day was slow as it is throughout Thailand now. It turns out both of us have been alone for quite awhile and so we had lot in common. Since we met we have been togather almost everyday and really enjoy eachother's company. Our time togather is spent discussing all kinds of subjects as this lady is very intelligent and has and excellent attitude and grasp on life. The lady has a superb since of humor and since we have been togather there has not been one day without laughter. We have been togather almost a month now. THE PROBLEM: Now that we are togather the whole neighborhood is awear of our involvement and is all a buzz about our relationship. Some of the buzz is all for us making it togather long term while some is not so favorable. Help me MyLotters please? The situation is this. In the beginning when I was home alone the ladies of the block were trying to fix me up with a lady in the neighborhood; granted, a seemingly nice lady and above average in looks and appearence. Well in a short time we were seeing eachother on a regular basis. After about a month of this I start hearing the buzz around the block the lady was married. I confronted her about and at first she denied it then confessed he was only her "boyfriend". Well that was bad enough along with you could throw a rock from where I live to her flat. Needless to say the relationship came to an immediate HALT! When we got togather I had asked her if she was married or had a boyfriend. I further cautioned her that if she LIED to me the relationship was FINISHED, KAPUT. As a side note the Thais WILL lie to "SAVE FACE". It is an accepted part of their culture and makes it very hard to deal on a one on one basis. There is no trust! Fast forward to several months later and at a block party I run into her again. She indicates she and her "husband/boyfriend" were through for good this time and because I really did like her and we had had some laughs togather I in a moment of weakness took her back and once again she LIED to me. Which brings me up to the present. After this last break-up my landloard who had fallen out with this lady awhile back suddenly has her around again and she brings her to my flat to invite me to a Bhuddist meditation session. Bear in mind I still like the lady who has alot of good qualities but lying and getting "MAU" (Thai for drunk), were the two she knew I would tolorate. Back to the session; upon entry it seemed a bit contrived the way the attendees were seated with her seat next to mine. After the session she and I had a few cordial words and that was that; I THOUGHT. Enter my current lady a few days later when I get my haircut; when I find out later were friends. My ex had gone to the current ladies shop and of course they had a "chat". I informed the new lady that things with the past lady were finished. Since then all "heck" has broken out in the block with alot of mis-statements and down right mis-information to put it mildly about her,(the new lady), and me; also mis-information. OK MyLotters, here's the million bhat question and believe me I really stuck on this one and nee all the he advise and help I can get. I really like the new lady in my life and we have spent many hours just "TALKING" and learning eachother's likes and dislikes but now the gossip is turning malicious and I am getting tired of it. From my point of view I see it as trying to ruin my future and my life with a potential life mate. How do you see it?