Dear Lulu Jeh: My partner is quite a bit younger than I am. Because I am a woman and he is a man, and I am in a higher-earning industry than him, it prompts people around us to make assumptions that I am his “sugar mama.” I know it’s starting to irritate my partner. How can I reassure my loved ones that they don’t have to worry about him taking advantage of me? — Not a Sugar Mama!

Dear NASM: I think a lot of this has to do with how Hong Kong traditionally sees hetereosexual partnerships. Men are supposed to be the “providers,” so to speak, and so you being in a higher-earning position means a lot of people automatically make assumptions.

You can pretty much do exactly what you’ve outlined in your question. Simply reassure your loved ones as to your financial statuses in your relationship.  Ask to talk to people privately about the comments they make, and ask them to be aware of your partner’s feelings when topics like these come up.

As long as you and your partner are comfortable in what you have and how you divide your money, no one else should have a say.

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