Married Kano Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 (edited) In the United States and perhaps other places it is common practice to go to a neighbors house to borrow a cup of sugar if you run out. You might even go to a neighbor and borrow screwdriver or wrench if needed. But that’s about all.Here in the Philippines most all people, friends and even those you do not know are quite willing to lend items to anyone who is in need. A few good examples of this is if you are going to the store and can’t or don’t want to walk for some reason, someone will loan you a bicycle. That’s all well and good; but how about something major? Yesterday for example, our washing machine decided to short circuit and burned itself out before our washing was even half done. Anywhere else that would have created a major problem. I would have had to load all the wet and dripping clothes into the car and take my wife and dirty, wet clothes to the Laundromat. Here on the other hand there was no problem at all and laundry still got done within the same amount of time. My wife, Viol and her sister simply went to a neighbor down the street for help. No, they didn’t take our laundry there. They simply “borrowed” the neighbors washing machine and brought the machine to our house to wash the clothes! I also remember about two years ago, we ran out of LPG gas (used for cooking) about five minutes after my wife started fixing dinner.Again no problem. My wife simply took all the food and pans to another neighbors house and they started a wood fire and our dinner was cooked in minutes.Even if someone or a family has no food to eat (it happens to many people here) for some reason. If the need is known, again, neighbors and even strangers are there to give whatever food or baby formula is needed. Or if out of food people will ask neighbors for some food to feed their families. Each time, the result is the same. Everyone helps everyone else.That’s just one more reason I chose this beautiful country to call home and continue to stay. Quite simply, It’s the wonderful people… Edited March 19, 2011 by Married Kano Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hounddriver Posted March 19, 2011 Posted March 19, 2011 At Christmas last my neighbor A borrowed a karaoke mic from neighbor B. They returned it a month later, because it was broken and would not work for them any more. I believe that never a borrower or a lender be is a good motto here but I often 'donate' something that I can afford to never see again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Married Kano Posted March 19, 2011 Author Posted March 19, 2011 Thats unusual from my experience. Granted we dont loan many things but the things we have loaned have always come back quickly and in good condition. We have a next door neighbor that is extremely poor with kids. At times we have given a small amt of cash for food and always seems to go for the intended purpose. Its a hard life here for most even if they (the country) bring it on themselvs. I could avoid being involved in these things if I had decided to live in gated compound I guess. But a resettlement seemed more interesting and allows me to be with and enjoy the locals in ways that would not be possible in a foreigner compound. Maybe its my wife that makes life so good where we live, but I cant see ever making a change. Gene At Christmas last my neighbor A borrowed a karaoke mic from neighbor B. They returned it a month later, because it was broken and would not work for them any more. I believe that never a borrower or a lender be is a good motto here but I often 'donate' something that I can afford to never see again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Forum Support Old55 Posted March 19, 2011 Forum Support Posted March 19, 2011 At Christmas last my neighbor A borrowed a karaoke mic from neighbor B. They returned it a month later, because it was broken and would not work for them any more. I believe that never a borrower or a lender be is a good motto here but I often 'donate' something that I can afford to never see again. Unfortunately this has been our experiences as well. Sadly even some distant family members consider “borrow” to mean you are rich so it’s a gift. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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