How to Avoid Being Murdered if You're a Foreigner in the Philippines

[Supple Steve 37]

3 hours ago, smokey said:

So i am confused if they smile your not going to be killed but if you smile back you might get killed???

If you smile back and show your teeth, they have been known to attack on site! lol

 

I don't think I explained myself properly.  I hang out with locals every single day, but to think that a smile equals a good person (as many Filipinos do) is ludicrous.  After living here for 7 years, I have no local friends that are of the smiling, friendly type....most of those people are idiots.   And I'm of the belief that most foreigners get killed because they hang out with idiots.  But to each, his own.  

[Paddy 1,715]

1 hour ago, M.C.A. said:

I've lost count on how many drunks got angry and running up and down the road with bolo knifes chasing people, good thing the gate was shut, in-laws get into arguments bring out the bolo knifes start hacking up their banana trees screaming complete insanity.

Even in the west, the veneer of civilization can be pretty thin. In the Philippines, it appears that veneer is also quite brittle (and it could be an interesting discussion to determine why that should be the case). The types of behaviors listed by M.C.A. are  not unknown in my village also (including my neighbor, who used to get drunk and take angry potshots at people, eventually being shot and killed himself). 

We need to know when to join in and when to slip quietly away. Personally, I'd prefer to be neither the provocation for, nor target of, such behavior.

[smokey 22,071]

we have had a share of problems once two as my wife calls them bench boys always shinning a bench sit across the street I come out they said hey give us money ... I said nothing they stand up walk up to our property line give us money and we will go away... I went inside my wife takes her cannon goes out they leave she said something to them... Dear what did you say .... I told them you better watch out adala clan don't like your bullshit ,,, we don't give shit to no one and expect no shit in returne  

Edited November 3, 2017 by smokey

[delancey 1,227]

The entire subject is very confusing. On a basic level Filipino can be very easy going and imo the nicest people in the world.

The few I interact with are outstanding individuals.

When situations get complex or you accidentally hit a nerve with whatever insecurities they have they simply do not process internal discomfort too good!!!

They turn their failings into being uncomfortable with you IE: they can owe you money and then hate you because they can’t pay it back and so they are now internally uncomfortable and you committed the sin of bringing up the debt! It’s your fault!

It’s an internal discomort thing about feeling inferior combined with poor skills at dealing with frustration, anger, embarrasment, whatever...you get the point.

Conversely the ones with college degrees and well paid act much more open minded and far far  far more balanced. Same with some more modest families that are not dirt insecure poor.

I think of how they make 6 children on P4K a month and all the issues that go with it. That food insecurity, constant poverty, lack of educational oportunities does not exactly bode well for reasoning skills. Very fagile very insecure. 

My neighbor is just not going to say, “ yeah I’m a charity case that depends on my OFW sister to feed me and I have four children I can’t afford”. They are going to walk around insecure instead.

Snowflake note: just my opinion, I am just thinking out loud and know I am not an expert. Thanks.

[smokey 22,071]

4 minutes ago, delancey said:

The entire subject is very confusing. On a basic level Filipino can be very easy going and imo the nicest people in the world.

The few I interact with are outstanding individuals.

When situations get complex or you accidentally hit a nerve with whatever insecurities they have they simply do not process internal discomfort too good!!!

They turn their failings into being uncomfortable with you IE: they can owe you money and then hate you because they can’t pay it back and so they are now internally uncomfortable and you committed the sin of bringing up the debt! It’s your fault!

It’s an internal discomort thing about feeling inferior combined with poor skills at dealing with frustration, anger, embarrasment, whatever...you get the point.

Conversely the ones with college degrees and well paid act much more open minded and far far  far more balanced. Same with some more modest families that are not dirt insecure poor.

I think of how they make 6 children on P4K a month and all the issues that go with it. That food insecurity, constant poverty, lack of educational oportunities does not exactly bode well for reasoning skills. Very fagile very insecure. 

My neighbor is just not going to say, “ yeah I’m a charity case that depends on my OFW sister to feed me and I have four children I can’t afford”. They are going to walk around insecure instead.

Snowflake note: just my opinion, I am just thinking out loud and know I am not an expert. Thanks.

kind of like telling a welfare receiver this is your money and then giving them hell for spending it on dope 

[shadow 18,484]

Oh gosh. After 1 am, and I am home once again after spending the entire evening with smiling locals drinking Red Horse. Been doing it for years, great people. I must be an idiot magician.  

[Travis 228]

Hmmm red Horse?

 

It sounds good. 

[Flakes 869]

Bullet proof vest?

[musicman666 1,961]

8 hours ago, shadow said:

Oh gosh. After 1 am, and I am home once again after spending the entire evening with smiling locals drinking Red Horse. Been doing it for years, great people. I must be an idiot magician.  

It’s like watching someone playing Russian roulette ....

Edited November 4, 2017 by musicman666

[Travis 228]

Just now, musicman666 said:

It’s like watching someone playing Russian roulette ....fortunately this gun has a lot more chambers.

Really? You worry about drinking with locals that much??

[musicman666 1,961]

5 minutes ago, Travis said:

Really? You worry about drinking with locals that much??

Lol....I have some stories that might illuminate my point ...how long have you stayed in the phillipines?

[shadow 18,484]

My first 5 years here I had problems dealing with and understanding the locals. My second 5 years, not so much. The last 5 years, only one time has there been a problem with a very drunken local. I did not back down. Before the night was over we became friends, and we still party together and laugh about it several years later.

 

I have far more problems with the expat populace than I ever have had with the locals. The expat populace seems to have a very large percentage of backstabbing, rumor mongering pussies.

[Travis 228]

Just now, musicman666 said:

Lol....I have some stories that might illuminate my point ...how long have you stayed in the phillipines?

I would love to hear the stories

 

Exactly zero days. 

[Travis 228]

Just now, shadow said:

My first 5 years here I had problems dealing with and understanding the locals. My second 5 years, not so much. The last 5 years, only one time has there been a problem with a very drunken local. I did not back down. Before the night was over we became friends, and we still party together and laugh about it several years later.

 

I have far more problems with the expat populace than I ever have had with the locals. The expat populace seems to have a very large percentage of backstabbing, rumor mongering pussies.

I will drink with you Shadow. 

 

[Richard K 3,271]

22 hours ago, shadow said:

I have far more problems with the expat populace than I ever have had with the locals. The expat populace seems to have a very large percentage of backstabbing, rumor mongering pussies.

I am in the exact same boat...I drink with the locals all the time.. either at my house or theirs..or down at the sari-sari my friend's wife owns...there are always guys there to drink with and I never have a problem with them. It seems when ever I go to an expat bar there always seems to be guys arguing and end up yelling at each other... that and there are never any free snacks.. lol