Since mali does not designate if they are male or female is one aspect, but seeing as how the profile says NSW I figure it is male. Since the word "partner" as opposed to spouse or wife was used I will guess this is a defacto relationship. First of all mali needs to make the decision of whether this is going to be a full legal marriage or remain as defacto. If the relationship is important then there are two choices. 1) Get married as getting visa's to another country for a person that is not married or with intentions to marry in the near future is very difficult and time consuming. 2) If this is not in the picture then mali should say to his partner that he is going without her and if he gets the job he will go with or without her. If you have said on the application that you are not married then there should be no worries. If you said you were there are factors to be taken into account. I am not going to assume what HK rules are for defacto relationships but I can assure you that your defacto would not get a resident visa here in USA. Even though this is a common law country (except two states) the INS doesn't acknowledge common law/defacto relationships. Here it then becomes palimony not a leagal marriage. How important is this relationship and its future to mali is the key question? None of us here can answer that question.
Then again when I went to the interview things went very well at the cocktail party. It was the rest of the interview that my X did not pass. I had personally talked to Tony and Clare many times before we went to the interview. Personally if you want the job mali, then you are the one needing to put the most effort forward, and as a man you should learn to be adroit enough to know how to do a save with a woman in any situation. This should be especially true of a woman with whom you have been in a serious/semi serious relationship with for how ever long. As a woman I have had to do the save many times in social situations with men who were less than properly trained in etiquette. So it comes down to:
What did you put down on the application; married yes or no?
Do you have the intention to make this relationship one with the legalities of the commitment of marriage? (If you aren't already)
If you are married the standard norm is to take the spouse. Are you wanting to stand out as one wanting to be an exception before you ever get through the interview process? Hmm. Consider this; you are one of hundreds and many of that hundred are smooth sailing no problems to the recruiting office. Does/will this (wanting to be an exception) really effect your chances? YES IT DOES!!! YOU are the main one they are looking at not the person you bring with you. Granted they will want to know the level of committment between you and yours etc., with regards to living in and being able to cope with life in HK. However, it still comes down to you.
How you handle yourself in all aspects is the key. If your partner goes and she/he does not present themselves well then how are you managing the situation? Standing back cringing probably won't win you points, and arguing and being a bully won't either. Are you clingy and unable to mingle with those who will be your bosses?
Diplomacy, discretion, communication are the factors that they will be watching, because how you deal with people in such situations can be crucial in a cockpit, or dealing with cabin crews, or an unruly/normal pax. Where and what are your abilities to deal with such situations? Only you know the answers, and only you mali can know whether you should or should not take this venture with or without your partner.
[This message has been edited by Oil Captain (edited 29 October 2000).]