"I Hate the Philippines"
I know what you’re thinking, “Well if you don’t like it go home!” Well I’m not talking about myself of course but it’s something I heard a foreigner say in the Palengke just today. Usually I avoid expats with sentiments like this as if they were leapers, but this guy zeroed in on me and decided to involve me in his conversation. I was waiting for my wife to buy fish, yeah OK, I’m game.
The first question that came to mind was the one I asked, “Why do you hate the Philippines?”. The answer quite to my surprise was “Because it is full of Filipinos.” Wow, that’s heavy stuff. With the obnoxious volume in his voice I’m surprised he wasn’t stabbed on the spot. Filipinos are nationalistic to a “T” and will defend their country’s honor whatever her faults. At this point I could feel the many eyes starting to turn our way and I wanted to melt or evaporate anything to not be associated with this guy. I proceeded to be rational about the thing and the conversation went something like this… “Well of course it’s full of Filipinos, it’s their country and we’re guests here, what is your problem with them?” “Well look at this place” as he gestured around the palengke, “It’s filthy, it smells, there’s nothing protecting the food.” “True” I replied, “but that’s the way it is. I’ve been buying here for 3 years now and I’ve never had food poisoning. Maybe you should shop in SM if you want it packaged American style.” He looked at me with a slight look of disgust in his eyes knowing that he wasn’t going to find an ally in his mad anti-Philippine ravings.
Meat in the Palengke
“It’s too expensive to shop there and my wife insists on dragging me down here.” He gestured towards a young lady looking over pepino in one of the gulay stalls. Pretty girl, but with an obvious look of embarrassment on her face. “Well your wife at least knows how to find a good deal, the foods are better here.” “Ah what does she know?” he snarled, “She’s just from the province.” I was fed up, an obvious hint of annoyance in my voice I said “What brought you over here then? Obviously you’re not happy maybe you’d be better off back in the states?” He observed me like I was cockroach about to be stomped on. “I can’t live in the states on my pension and my kids want to put me into a retirement home.” “Well then sir I suggest you count your blessings then. You’ve found yourself a beautiful wife who takes care of you and by your admittance it is cheaper to live over here.” He looked flustered now, “Well yes but I wish they would just change the bad things about this country but nobody listens to me.” “No they won’t” I admitted, “but as I said it’s their country and they can do what they want with it, would you like a foreigner telling you what to improve about the USA? No, then it is up to us to make the most of our new life here. Might I suggest you start to learn about their culture before you give them advice on how to improve it.” At this I walked away before he could reply and rejoined my wife.
There are many times in living over here that you will run into people with attitudes like this. I don’t want to change them, I really don’t care if they want to act like a moron in public, but these are the same people that will complain that Filipinos are taking advantage of them. Of course, they are a proud people and not stupid, they can spot an idiot and differentiate him from someone that is obviously trying to integrate into Philippine society. I choose to live as close to a Filipino lifestyle as I can, and I feel that the people here are thankful for it.
Last 5 posts by LouisT
- Farewell My Friends... - February 21st, 2010
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- Pumpkin Pie - January 6th, 2010
Well put, Louis.
You just can’t “live” here – you have to blend in and experience life here. I try to blend in and Lord knows it’s tough for an old Kano to do that. I feel compassion for your island-hating conversationalist.
However, I must say that I was given an extremely complimentary honor by the provincial director of education while being introduced as the guest speaker for an elementary school program. She told the audience that everyone there was Filipino by birth, but that I was Filipino by choice.
That comment floored me – I could only think that maybe, for once in my life, I’m doing something right!
Don’t like it get the heck out, I’m dying to finally retire there in 2012. I love going to the market, yeah it stinks but dang were can you buy that much food for cheap, Love the fresh sea food.
There is of course a lot of bad things but more good than bad, It’s not for everyone but it’s sure for me. Good food, music, clubs, and how I love the turbo diesel vehicles
And I live in Guam which is like baby Hawaii and I would trade it to the PI anyday.
I love going to the Philippines with my wife and family! I would love to retire their already. My wife and I being of a culinary background love to go to the market. Everything is so real! If you want meat, then you pick it. I come from a family of restaurateurs, bakers, and butchers. So going to the wet market in the Phillipines is so cool to me. And the choices, the sights, the sounds, and yes the smells. It is so great!
But you know here in the states we have the same type of people, who hate their life in America. I have run into those born here, and those who emigrated who complain about it all…So I guess no mater where you live, someone will complain. too bad for them – they are missing the great things in life. I guess that leaves more for us who have a good attitude to enjoy more!
Hi Louis,
It sounds like you were walking on thin ice there; talking to a blowhard in a public market. When I first started researching the Philippines I found websites that had people with similar attitudes as that man. It kind of glorified the notion of finding a beautiful innocent girl so you could mould her into the perfect housekeeper/ concubine. I normally make it a rule to avoid the old lolos with the young girls for that reason. If I see age appropriate couples I enjoy talking with them because it seems that the foreigner usually has a different outlook. I did speak to one such couple in the mall in Gen-San recently. The man said that he looked forward to moving back to Cyprus after being in the Philippines for three years. His only negative comment was the heat so the Filipinos could hardly be faulted for that. I might be generalizing a bit but it seems that a young girl old man combination seems to create a sort of Napolean complex for the man. Hopefully my comments do not create too much of an outrage.
I admire the way you handled the blowhard, Louis. I lose my temper to easily so I usually avoid these guys like the plague. As Paul says we have a lot of fools like that in the US also … one of the reasons I don’t live in the US any longer is I am always shunted off to folks my own age (old) and so many are so negative and such complainers it is depressing.
When I was in the military we had a saying … there are only two places to be stationed that are any good … the one you just left and the one you are going to next. Seems it is that way with countries as well. You would think you need an expensive exit visa the way some of thes eguys carry on complaining, but never leaving.
I got u[set at something the other day and my wife was with me .. she knew exactly how to de-fuse me. She asked, “OK, when do we leave for the States and where do you want to live when we get there?”
Stopped me dead in mid-rant, I can tell you that. I have no place in the States I would rather live, but I know my wife would leave in a heartbeat to go back … so I guess I can be pretty sure I like it here … I’m surely not kept here by money or health.
Louis,
You should have sent him to Agdao. It does not smell as bad. But please, tell him Agdao is closed on Sunday mornings. I do not want to meet him.
It is strange, as you know, I am out around town all the time and always open to talking to a foreigner if they are willing to talk. I have met many Jerks, but never got that type of jerks.
As like you, I try to assimilate and get used to life here. At times it is hard to adjust to some things, but I feel it is my fault. As you said, it is “Their Country” and we cannot change it. Even things Filipinos want to change cannot be changed.
Hi Louis,
I guess the guy has some form of depression. He is still adjusting. A lot of people when they do not know or understand will shows annoyance, disgust or anger. Poor guy. It will take him years to adjust or not at all.
You were right, he should count his blessings. Not all women will take that kind of attitude but most Filipinas and Filipinos do. Living cheap and living in a different country has its ups and downs.
I hope he will try to assimilate but if he like Filipino food then thats a good start.
Thanks for the Article. Liked it!
Toting
Yeah, who does this guy think he is, Ringo Starr?
But seriously, some people like to complain no matter what. Reminds me of Mark Twain’s line from Pudd’nhead Wilson: “It is easy to find fault, if one has that disposition. There was once a man who, not being able to find any other fault with his coal, complained that there were too many prehistoric toads in it.”
I’m new here. I live in College Park Md and work in Washington DC. My wife and I also have a house in Lapu Lapu City.
Hi Louis, it really is a shame that those people give the rest of us a bad name, I am thankful I live where I do, I think I have seen maybe two or three other obvious foreigners. I really don’t think I would have handled that conversation as well as you did, Kudo’s man
I’m Dave’s wife and no, I won’t leave my home to go back to the US in a heartbeat. My husband just needs a reality check every now and then, as I do. I also give him winter weather updates from Colorado where we lived – Hahaha!!!
The poor, hapless guy in this post sounds like he’ll never be happy wherever he finds himself. If he were my father, I’d put him in a nursing home myself even if I am Filipino. Oh, and make that nursing home on the other side of the country…or maybe another country altogether.
The a&&^)$@ can’t even afford Walmart and here he’s acting like he’s used to champagne breakfasts?
Maybe his wife takes him to the market as punishment…if she knew of a filthier market, she’d probably take him there instead. His pretty, young wife probably feeds him lots of baboy and beef taba…it will slow down his heart when it races during his rants and maybe stop his ranting sooner so he’ll have more peace in his life.
That’s really very un-Christian of me…no one deserves it, specially his wife.
Ah well some people are not happy if they don’t have something to complain about. In the Navy we phrased it a different way LOL! I am currently in the states while our home in Laguna is under construction but I comment to my wife that I miss the Philippines everyday
brspiritus More than half the guys that read or contribute to this site have young(er) wives or G.F. Maybe we can kick the filthy #@%+ off the site & just have us Decent folk Contribute from now on.
Louis T,
Maybe he would be willing to trade places with me! I am patiently waiting my time to come to live in the Philippines. When we are there I have to go to the wet markets! It is such a fun experience for me.
This guy is just a grump. He would complain no matter what. You just have to overlook these people sometimes. My favorite saying is “Just smile and wave boys, just smile and wave.”
Hi Louis, I’ve been to the Philippines seven times now, I’m not a resident (yet) … but as they say …. When in Rome, act like the Romans … and things will go a lot smoother (& happier too. Regards, Ronny
Oh so familiar story! In 1993, a buddy of mine from Sweden an I were sitting at the water’s edge on Dayang Beach(Talikud), sipping our beers & reading books, when a fellow came swimming up to our area. As he waded toward us, the first words out of his mouth are, “Boy, this place sure sucks!” Those who have been to Dayang beach will understand when I say that we assumed he was being sarcastic. “Too hot, too many mosquitos, all this ‘Hi, Joe’, and only one McDonald’s!”
“What were you expecting?”, asks my buddy.
“Well, they should take a few lessons from us, set it up like Hawaii, get a few steak houses on the beaches & put more air-con in & get these bast… to stop with all of this phony friendliness, when you know they’re just sizing you up to be their next victim!”
“Well, maybe you should check out Boracay”, I suggested, “I hear it’s very commercialized, compared to here.”
“I just might do that.” says the disgruntled swimmer, “I’ve had enough of this place.” And without so much as a goodbye, he waded back into the deep & swam back in the direction from which he’d come.
For the next few weeks, my friend and I sat in the shallows at Dayang Beach, reading books & sipping beer, and no other foreigners came to visit & all was right in the world!
Perfect? Nowhere is perfect. But try to convince me that The Philippines doesn’t come close.
Mike
Nice article.
Cheers from Eire…
brspiritus,
I like your articles, I was born in the GenSan, Mindanao, Island of the Phil. I migrated in U.S. at the young of age. And knowing that here in the U.S. with “no escape”, either you live in the “Convalescent” to stay or you have a freedom of living in the Philippines with maids, from laundry, cook, driver and companion to assist you with your daily life, do what you wanna do and live a good life. Please to those complainer, get use to be a local boy, mingle more to locals and appreciate more of being there. Be a Pilipino, like the rest and Stop Complaining.
I’m looking foward to spend my early retirement in the Philippines.
God Bless “brspiritus” Cheers!
That was one heck of a compliment. Of course we have to adjust to our new home here in the Philippines, but it’s how we make the adjustment that marks us.
I too am from a culinary background so I understand you completely. For me the real fun lies in “I want to make this for dinner or dessert now how do I get the ingredients” Take my quest for apple pie. In the states most people are likely to buy an apple pie at BJ’s or Costco or a frozen one that is just “warm in the (microwave ugh) oven.” Here I had to go on the quest for the right ingredients and I am able to get such nice fuji apples in the palengke along with fresh cinnamon bark and ginger.
When I first started writing for LiP 2 1/2 years ago I got into hot water over the “age appropriate couple.” Yes there are old guys with young girls over there although not so bad in Davao as Cebu or Manila. What is the dynamic in that kind of relationship? Who knows, I’ve just learned to try to walk away when I see them.
I have an “exit strategy” that I have discussed with my wife but it’s only to use if the government goes to hell in a handbasket or the NPA wins the revolution stuff like that. I’m in the US 5 months of the year so I get to see all the reasons why I moved to the Philippines to begin with. Keeps the ranting at a minimum when I get back home.
I would have been happy to suggest alternatives but I think he would have hated Agdao as well. Besides if his wife is the reason they shop at Bankerohan then I know the loyalty Filipinas have for their suki vendors she won’t want to willingly shop elsewhere.
Oh I love that quote, made my day. I’m from Maryland originally too. Grew up and lived 22 years in Catonsville, lived 5 years in Frederick and then back to Catonsville for antother 6 years before moving to the Philippines.
Sounds like you’re revved up already to move over here. Wish you all the luck in the world on your venture.
HAHAHAHAHA Mita, I like the way you think
LOL I like that, she takes him to the market for punishment! hahahahaha My wife punishes me by frying bulad in the house… although I must say it’s been a long time since she made any.
What’s your culinary background? Cooking (especially over a live fire) is a major passion of mine.
One thing that really made me feel at home in the Philippines on my first visit in 1991, was my wife’s Papa serving a plate of crabs – the same kind we have in the Chesapeake Bay here in Maryland. Senn’s Papa taught me quite a few of his recipes – a favorite being squid stuffed with ground pork and vegetables grilled at the beach.
My Dad was a life-long grilling enthusiast. We have movies of him grilling outside in the snow with an umbrella. He held the umbrella over the steaks. He himself was covered with snow. I must have picked it up from him.
hahaha, I don’t make those calls and seriously my attitude is live and let live, it’s your life do what you want but if I choose not to associate with you don’t have a canary it’s my personal freedom of choice not to do so.
too true, and because thse grumps can be so vociferous in voicing their opinions it gives Filipinos a bad taste in their mouth about foreigners.
I’ve traveled many places in the world and that is so true anywhere you go.
Sometimes when the tide comes in the trash flows in with it, funny story though he belongs in Boracay. My wife and I are going to Dayang beach on Wednesday as part of a boat trip… cheers.