Originally Posted by
Wally Bird
A friend who is a girl (girl friend) is not the same as a girlfriend. It's unfortunate you cannot see the distinction; rest assured the immigration officer will.
OP is of course free to take or ignore my advice, just as he is free to take or ignore yours. I don't think any advice from Americans on this matter is particularly valuable anyway since none will have been in the same situation.
You're right, I've never been in OP's position.
However, you don't need to tell me what the immigration officer will see... I've been doing the job for 14 years.
Any more pointers for me?