Thx KD.
W is Asian, from a predominantly Muslim country and I'm from North America. She used to be Muslim and in fact I had to convert in order to marry her 10 years ago. for me it wasn't an issue as I have never really been religious. Neither was she but the pressures of her family wouldn't let her convert to marry me. On this, just before D8 started school a few years ago, W switched religion to Buddhism (her own decision) so that D8 wouldn't have to learn Arabic and the Koran for 2 hours everyday at school.
The music we do is classic rock and blues so my interpretation of is good for the locals (regular bar-going costumers), perhaps even more in demand than hers because I'm a foreigner doing it. There are lots of pretty singers doing this around here too but not many foreigners. My W, mind you, is exceptionally good at it and I'd always encouraged her to push her limits and through this encouragement, she began playing guitar and even the blues harp on stage. She has one of the best voices I have heard in a very long time and always sounds surprised when people compliment her. She almost never listened to my compliments until they were validated by outsiders. Over my 10 years with her, we never really played music together except on a few one-night events until last year, when we actually started performing as a duet (me on lead guitar and voice) and occasionally a trio (with another guitarist doing the main lead work - I'm still working on this too).
As far as the cultural side is concerned she did mention that a few times and that is why some of my 180s focus on making me understand the locals better, trying to feel more compassion or even empathy for people around here. Becoming more patient as thing really take much longer to happen and punctuality is not a strong point among locals (being 2 hours late is not rare). I also plan as part of my GAL/180s to start lessons in the local language. I speak it well enough to get around and mingle with most people but perhaps not enough to have the kind of conversations which could lead to meaningful friendship. that's why I've never really been close to any of her friends (although a few of her friends who also happen to be married to foreigners rave at my linguistic abilities compared to their H).
Regarding the culture and the behaviour of men, we also often talked about that. Hs around here don't trust their Ws and would never let them go out at night in bars, even if it was a job. They also are very jealous and possessive. I, on the other hand have always been very trusting (perhaps too much so by the looks of it) and I have never tried to stop her dong what she was doing, quite to the contrary, i have always encouraged her. I hear of stories where W's friends (some who are also singers)are forbidden to go to work and have to sneak out of the home or lie to be able to do what they want. The singing profession in general is badly seen in this country as many believe that women who do it are also prostitutes. In fact, just being married to a foreigner often brings that label as well.

Thanks KD, you are really helping me see this thing with much more perspective. I look forward to your comments.


Freshman Class of 2012

M-49
W-42
1D-10
T 10 YEARS
M 9 YEARS
EA/MLC 07/2010
Separation 28/05/2012
PA confirmed 31/07/12
W Asked for D 31/07/12
D on and off the table since then