Popular Post AsiaBill 45 Posted October 21, 2007 Popular Post Share Posted October 21, 2007 BILL'S TRAVEL TIPS for the PHILIPPINES!! 1.)Always carry small change in Pesos, Coins & 20 & 50 notes. That saves you the annoyance from the very common reply, "sorry no change". 2.) Ask someone about taxi or jeepney, tricycle fares before you get in. Pay & walk away. NEVER ask "How much?" because the price goes up the more you talk. A moving taxi is too busy working so it tends to be a better, more honest taxi versus parked taxis waiting for victims. Tip the taxi driver P10 to P20 reward him for not hassling you. Good Karma ALWAYS REWARDS you. 3. ) Never change money on the street nor inside a restaurant. You will ALWAYS lose and usually almost half your money. These money change scam artists are very good and show that the hand is always quicker than the eye. 4. ) Never gamble with Filipinos not pool, cards, chess or any game for money & not even for drinks. It's safer not to gamble. It's one example in life where when you win you lose & when you lose you lose. 5. ) Never raise your voice at a Filipino away from your own neighborhood. Never call a Filipino "STUPID". They are very sensitive about it. If you do get angry & make the mistake. Please leave the place as soon as possible .Go Away Fast because you are in more DANGER than you realize. Filipinos do not like to fight & "fair fights" are not the custom, "fight to kill" is. 6. ) Forget about the 2 words "WHY" & "SHOULD" or you get constant headache trying to understand why things happen like they do in places outside your own country, especially the Philippines. Acceptance is the preferable attitude. There are too many things for you to question, so it's better for you not to start. So just relax/ enjoy the positive aspects of living in the Philippines with a sense of humor. 7. ) Expect everything to be late and slow. Life stops at LUNCH. Schedules change & the weather is unpredictable. Telephones, electricity, and water - sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. 8.) Never accept drinks, candy, or fruit from strangers, especially young women, in Manila. In the past few years a few of our guests have been drugged using the above methods after being met in Rizal Park, shopping malls, the open markets & even on the bus. We have never heard about this happening in other parts of the Philippines. 9.) Always wear a cloth type money belt which is worn around your waist under your clothes instead of those leather or vinyl pouch waist bags with several zippered pockets because psychologically they appear as you are advertising your valuables. It may seem a bit awkward to reach under your pants to get your money or travelers checks at a bank but it's MUCH SAFER. Even when you drink too much your money is much safer closer to your - - - -. 10. ) DON 11 Link to post Share on other sites
tom_shor 1,202 Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Some good advice for sure. Link to post Share on other sites
Mike S 1 Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 Hi Bill and welcome to the board ....... if you haven't been already ....... I enjoy your board also and check it everyday as I plan on staying a little while in Manila when I arrive early next year ....... I also plan on staying at your hotel and will be staying around 3-4 weeks if things work out ....... good to have you hear and your vast knowledge of the Phils will I know be appreciated here ........ so post away and enjoy ......... by the way do you have any more pictures of your hotel in Manila you could send me ....... more interested in the high end rooms ........ thanks Mike Link to post Share on other sites
HeyJoe 0 Posted October 22, 2007 Share Posted October 22, 2007 BILL'S TRAVEL TIPS for the PHILIPPINES!! 3. ) Never change money on the street nor inside a restaurant. You will ALWAYS lose and usually almost half your money. These money change scam artists are very good and show that the hand is always quicker than the eye. I think all the rest are spot on, but I have always found that the mom & pop money changing operations offer a higher exchange rate. That being said, I was always in my Filipina wife's company when doing an exchange. I do think that part makes a huge difference. As long as you are with a local that you know and trust, I think the "unofficial" money changers offer a better rate. Link to post Share on other sites
AsiaBill 45 Posted October 22, 2007 Author Share Posted October 22, 2007 The small money changer "Mom & Pop" operations are FINE and SAFE and I have been using them for 25+ years but what TIP# 3 is referring to is just what it says ON THE STREET from ANY individual NOT behind some sort of counter top inside even the smallest cubby hole location. I think all the rest are spot on, but I have always found that the mom & pop money changing operations offer a higher exchange rate. That being said, I was always in my Filipina wife's company when doing an exchange. I do think that part makes a huge difference. As long as you are with a local that you know and trust, I think the "unofficial" money changers offer a better rate. Link to post Share on other sites
fred42 2,584 Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 The small money changer "Mom & Pop" operations are FINE and SAFE and I have been using them for 25+ years but what TIP# 3 is referring to is just what it says ON THE STREET from ANY individual NOT behind some sort of counter top inside even the smallest cubby hole location. I changed $50 on the street some years ago..The bastards gave me $25 (in PHP) change!! They fold half into their palm and pull the rest out between their fingers! I got my money back 2 days later.. Thats another story! Link to post Share on other sites
HeyJoe 0 Posted October 23, 2007 Share Posted October 23, 2007 The small money changer "Mom & Pop" operations are FINE and SAFE and I have been using them for 25+ years but what TIP# 3 is referring to is just what it says ON THE STREET from ANY individual NOT behind some sort of counter top inside even the smallest cubby hole location. Ah ok... I agree with you there! Link to post Share on other sites
jigsy 370 Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Hi AsiaBill. I think you used to use the Thorn Tree messageboard if I'm not mistaken. Good to see you again anyhow... Link to post Share on other sites
rustywhi 0 Posted November 23, 2007 Share Posted November 23, 2007 BILL'S TRAVEL TIPS for the PHILIPPINES!! 1.)Always carry small change in Pesos, Coins & 20 & 50 notes. That saves you the annoyance from the very common reply, "sorry no change". 2.) Ask someone about taxi or jeepney, tricycle fares before you get in. Pay & walk away. NEVER ask "How much?" because the price goes up the more you talk. A moving taxi is too busy working so it tends to be a better, more honest taxi versus parked taxis waiting for victims. Tip the taxi driver P10 to P20 reward him for not hassling you. Good Karma ALWAYS REWARDS you. 3. ) Never change money on the street nor inside a restaurant. You will ALWAYS lose and usually almost half your money. These money change scam artists are very good and show that the hand is always quicker than the eye. 4. ) Never gamble with Filipinos not pool, cards, chess or any game for money & not even for drinks. It's safer not to gamble. It's one example in life where when you win you lose & when you lose you lose. 5. ) Never raise your voice at a Filipino away from your own neighborhood. Never call a Filipino "STUPID". They are very sensitive about it. If you do get angry & make the mistake. Please leave the place as soon as possible .Go Away Fast because you are in more DANGER than you realize. Filipinos do not like to fight & "fair fights" are not the custom, "fight to kill" is. 6. ) Forget about the 2 words "WHY" & "SHOULD" or you get constant headache trying to understand why things happen like they do in places outside your own country, especially the Philippines. Acceptance is the preferable attitude. There are too many things for you to question, so it's better for you not to start. So just relax/ enjoy the positive aspects of living in the Philippines with a sense of humor. 7. ) Expect everything to be late and slow. Life stops at LUNCH. Schedules change & the weather is unpredictable. Telephones, electricity, and water - sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. 8.) Never accept drinks, candy, or fruit from strangers, especially young women, in Manila. In the past few years a few of our guests have been drugged using the above methods after being met in Rizal Park, shopping malls, the open markets & even on the bus. We have never heard about this happening in other parts of the Philippines. 9.) Always wear a cloth type money belt which is worn around your waist under your clothes instead of those leather or vinyl pouch waist bags with several zippered pockets because psychologically they appear as you are advertising your valuables. It may seem a bit awkward to reach under your pants to get your money or travelers checks at a bank but it's MUCH SAFER. Even when you drink too much your money is much safer closer to your - - - -. 10. ) DON Link to post Share on other sites
tom_shor 1,202 Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 Yes I think these rules would work quite well in many places in the third world. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
michael52 0 Posted March 15, 2009 Share Posted March 15, 2009 It sounds a lot like the Coast of Colombia ---Barranquilla--where I lived for about 4 years. I should be right at home.rw thanks alot for the sound advice. Link to post Share on other sites
fanboat 450 Posted August 9, 2009 Share Posted August 9, 2009 BILL'S TRAVEL TIPS for the PHILIPPINES!! 1.)Always carry small change in Pesos, Coins & 20 & 50 notes. That saves you the annoyance from the very common reply, "sorry no change". 2.) Ask someone about taxi or jeepney, tricycle fares before you get in. Pay & walk away. NEVER ask "How much?" because the price goes up the more you talk. A moving taxi is too busy working so it tends to be a better, more honest taxi versus parked taxis waiting for victims. Tip the taxi driver P10 to P20 reward him for not hassling you. Good Karma ALWAYS REWARDS you. 3. ) Never change money on the street nor inside a restaurant. You will ALWAYS lose and usually almost half your money. These money change scam artists are very good and show that the hand is always quicker than the eye. 4. ) Never gamble with Filipinos not pool, cards, chess or any game for money & not even for drinks. It's safer not to gamble. It's one example in life where when you win you lose & when you lose you lose. 5. ) Never raise your voice at a Filipino away from your own neighborhood. Never call a Filipino "STUPID". They are very sensitive about it. If you do get angry & make the mistake. Please leave the place as soon as possible .Go Away Fast because you are in more DANGER than you realize. Filipinos do not like to fight & "fair fights" are not the custom, "fight to kill" is. 6. ) Forget about the 2 words "WHY" & "SHOULD" or you get constant headache trying to understand why things happen like they do in places outside your own country, especially the Philippines. Acceptance is the preferable attitude. There are too many things for you to question, so it's better for you not to start. So just relax/ enjoy the positive aspects of living in the Philippines with a sense of humor. 7. ) Expect everything to be late and slow. Life stops at LUNCH. Schedules change & the weather is unpredictable. Telephones, electricity, and water - sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. 8.) Never accept drinks, candy, or fruit from strangers, especially young women, in Manila. In the past few years a few of our guests have been drugged using the above methods after being met in Rizal Park, shopping malls, the open markets & even on the bus. We have never heard about this happening in other parts of the Philippines. 9.) Always wear a cloth type money belt which is worn around your waist under your clothes instead of those leather or vinyl pouch waist bags with several zippered pockets because psychologically they appear as you are advertising your valuables. It may seem a bit awkward to reach under your pants to get your money or travelers checks at a bank but it's MUCH SAFER. Even when you drink too much your money is much safer closer to your - - - -. 10. ) DON'T WORRY BE HAPPY!! 1. I travel by boat...carry a small 6 pack and dried fish...a little rice too 2. taxi...when I round out of gas...I use tricad 3. change...20 peso usually in 5 peso denominations 4. gamble...only on chicken fights...I pick the winners 5. raise voice...only after my wife and I have orgasium 6. why-should...no telling 7. schedule...whats that? 8.drinks...the weather makes me drink too much...but I mix my own 8...velcro...even my underpants are supplied with that feature 10..happy...as long as I have a drink to forget where I am?? 2 Link to post Share on other sites
fanboat 450 Posted August 29, 2009 Share Posted August 29, 2009 1. I travel by boat...carry a small 6 pack and dried fish...a little rice too2. taxi...when I round out of gas...I use tricad 3. change...20 peso usually in 5 peso denominations 4. gamble...only on chicken fights...I pick the winners 5. raise voice...only after my wife and I have orgasium 6. why-should...no telling 7. schedule...whats that? 8.drinks...the weather makes me drink too much...but I mix my own 8...velcro...even my underpants are supplied with that feature 10..happy...as long as I have a drink to forget where I am?? Bill...I love you man...just kididding about the boating stuff??? Link to post Share on other sites
JT_ 0 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 BILL'S TRAVEL TIPS for the PHILIPPINES!!4. ) Never gamble with Filipinos not pool, cards, chess or any game for money & not even for drinks. It's safer not to gamble. It's one example in life where when you win you lose & when you lose you lose. What if you like a bet??? Is there any particular reason to avoid having a 'bet' with the locals?? Is there a casino (or Poker Pit) in Cebu? Link to post Share on other sites
Muadib 0 Posted September 21, 2009 Share Posted September 21, 2009 It sounds a lot like the Coast of Colombia ---Barranquilla--where I lived for about 4 years. I should be right at home.rw Yep, I lived in Bogota / Cartagena for several years with my Paisa wife... Nothing beats the vendadoras around the beach in Boca Grande... Rip-offs / scams are the same the world over, just subtle variations of the same theme... Once you become accustom to the 'hook', you learn to defend against them... More common sense than anything else... My very first rule of thumb is to always be leery of over-friendly strangers... Link to post Share on other sites
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