Power and Freedom Brings Out Who We Really Are

[bows00]

Once an expat moves to the Philippines, they have an instant advantage in this country - and I am referring to our spending power.  And with that boost in power, brings a sense of instant freedom - the freedom to be who we really are.  And this condition just amplifies our core values and true nature.  For example, if you are a generous expat, you enjoy giving a 20% tip to a hard working filipino to make their day.  If you are happy, you smile more and spread that happiness even more here.  

Unfortunately, there is an opposite affect.  I have witnessed several miserable expats spreading their demise all around.  

Don't really know where I am going with this thread - just something I observed...  

[Old55]

In addition most expats don't wake up well before dawn scrape ice off a windshield and drive to work.

[stevewool]

2 hours ago, Old55 said:

In addition most expats don't wake up well before dawn scrape ice off a windshield and drive to work.

I cant wait to be a expat, its damp and cold here.

[Clermont]

7 hours ago, bows00 said:

 

Don't really know where I am going with this thread - just something I observed...  

Don't worry about directions in your future, you've lasted life's dramas to date, just keep a cool head and be aware of where the girl wants to take you. Just a little hint, keep a spare 1000 Pesos in your sock no-one knows about and I take it your in a hotel, leave your cards in the room safe.

Enjoy yourself mate and don't flash too much money about, remember if you hook up with the girl and you spash money about, she will expect it all the time.  enjoy the PI's.

[Clermont]

4 hours ago, stevewool said:

I cant wait to be a expat, its damp and cold here.

Sorry Steve, no suggestions for the dampness but don't argue with Em, she'll keep the cold out with cuddles. 

[CoffeeRulzMe]

9 hours ago, Old55 said:

In addition most expats don't wake up well before dawn scrape ice off a windshield and drive to work.

Yep, but some (like myself) did so for 30 to 40 years.  Now, I can smile about it; no ice, snow, rat race BS.

 

[Dave Hounddriver]

10 hours ago, bows00 said:

Once an expat moves to the Philippines, they have an instant advantage in this country - and I am referring to our spending power.

Just keep in mind that the advantage diminishes over time.  The local population is still working, their wages are increasing with inflation, the prices go up with inflation, and the expat usually has a fixed income.  Many expats who have been here long term have less in their monthly budget than the average, middle class, filipino.   Don't waste your advantage throwing around 20% tips.  10 years from now you will wish you still had that cash.

[Jack Peterson]

*Story time*

A couple of years ago, we had newbie amongst us at a Dumaguete meeting, he only came twice, Once to Brag and once to say i wish I had listened.

He took out a waitress from a well known Bar here in Dumaguete who, he thought, was the one ( much against our advice) No he would Woo this lady ( about 22/23) so they went for a meal and things were great, then apparently she said OH! I am off tomorrow, lets go to the owners Resort. Great says he. On arrival he is Greeted by the family (10+ if my memory serves me right) YEP they Know our Power of Spending and can help you very quickly to diminish the Funds, I seem to Remember that a 700 peso day out cost him something like 6.000 peso after all the Lads arrived to be fed and beered up. Last we heard she had fleeced him for 000's in rent Food and all the trappings for her Family & Friends.

Moral G & G's "A fool and his money springs to mind"

 I might Add that this is  becoming a  fairly common Story and one should be taken as a serious thought about learning to walk before we run,

 Best of Luck to all newbies but bear in mind, It can and does happen, so If you ask a question or make sweeping Statements For me, Listen to any advice given, some have been there and many have rued the day  they did not, We may have the Power to Spend but so do they

(Ladies that is) Done!

 Jack 

 Morning All 

 

[manofthecoldland]

11 hours ago, bows00 said:

Once an expat moves to the Philippines, they have an instant advantage in this country - and I am referring to our spending power.  And with that boost in power, brings a sense of instant freedom - the freedom to be who we really are.  And this condition just amplifies our core values and true nature.  For example, if you are a generous expat, you enjoy giving a 20% tip to a hard working filipino to make their day.  If you are happy, you smile more and spread that happiness even more here.  

Unfortunately, there is an opposite affect.  I have witnessed several miserable expats spreading their demise all around.  

Don't really know where I am going with this thread - just something I observed...  

 Very true about our relative spending power for some of us. Being a generous and kind soul feels good, but it sometimes backfires in unanticipated ways in other cultures and countries. My wife taught me to leave what I consider small tips of P5, P10 or P20  at most with those people I see on a regular basis. That puts me in the big tipper category, since tipping is not a major part of this service culture. Giving your service people kindness, respect. polite talk and a smile is often worth more than a monetary tip to them, especially after having to deal with other foreigners who scowl and verbally complain about how the service here is poor and unlike what they are accustomed to in their home countries. I have lived through some embarrassing moments while dining out or drinking with rude and abusive expats at times. I would cringe at the imperious way they treated and berated  the innocent and often ignorant young servers who didn't measure up to their assumed expectations. Yes, sometimes the servers seemed to lack reason and common sense in certain matters, but it was seldom malicious or intentional.  Even my closest friends here try to continually teach them and sometimes they succeed, but usually they don't. I just accept things, leave a small tip, and the next time politely request whatever I think they can improve on with a smile and they almost always deliver.  It never takes more than a polite smile and a small tip to get great service from happy people whose sense of self-worth isn't threatened or under attack.

[hk blues]

16 hours ago, bows00 said:

Once an expat moves to the Philippines, they have an instant advantage in this country - and I am referring to our spending power.  

Even if it were true, which isn't necessarily the case, that so-called advantage can quickly become a disadvantage.

In any country, including our own, people throwing money around can become unpopular very quickly - and poor!

As others way more experienced than I have said, enjoy but not overtly.