Today’s Guest Column is from David Katague. David has a blog about his place in his beloved Marinduque, give it a visit, and visit David if you happen to be in Marinduque too!
My Top Ten Annoying Things in the Philippines
Just recently Bob posted an article stating that The Filipinos do not believe that time is money, so that instead of giving you an exact time for an appointment, they will say, after lunch, or see you in the morning or afternoon. To a foreigner or non-Filipino visitor, this is indeed an annoying Filipino habit, trait or tradition.
Besides the above (value of time) I have my own personal list of 10 other annoying things in the Philippines as follows:
- Traffic ( in big cities) There is always traffic congestion almost 24 hours a day, especially in big cities. The only time of the day when there is no traffic congestion in Manila and suburbs is between 2 to 3 AM. This is a good time to go to the airport to be in time for your 6AM flight.
- Jeepney and Bus drivers: They drive like maniacs. They pick up and drop passengers in the middle of the road. Most provincial drivers drive like maniacs. They will overtake private cars on the wrong side of the highway and even on dangerous curves.
- The long lines in the banks and ATM machines and people cutting-in the lines
- The crowing of the cocks and the barking dogs at 4AM or even earlier
- When you invite one in your party, he or she brings one or two others, without advising you ahead
- Filipinos seldom RSVP an invitation or answers their e-mail in a timely manner
- The heat and humidity during the summer months especially the months of April and May
- The smell of fish and (Durian)-probably only in Davao) in the public market
- Littering on the streets and on the beaches
- Urinating in public
I know you could probably add more items here and I encourage you to it. I also know there are a lot of numerous good things about the Philippines. But that is another topic worthy of writing in the future.
Hi David
My 3 biggest annoyances in the Philippines are:
1) Bureaucratic System – so much endless, pointless paperwork, forever standing in queues for simple things like paying bills.
2) Insects – especially the ones that like to bite my legs during the day.
3) Supermarket Workers – forever saying 'good afternoon sir, good afternoon maam'. The 1st time it sounds nice, but after the 100 time in a day it gets very irritating. {I guess the SM staff are pre-programmed to do this 🙁 }
However, these are greatly outnumbered by all the good things in the Philippines.
Hello David,
You have all these "annoyances" in a nice warm climate.
Imagine going to work and sitting in your car for 2 hours in a traffic jam on the freeway in -10C weather.
Imagine going for a booked dentist's appointment at 10:00am and sitting for two hours because they are always overbooked.
Imagine going to the tire retailers in October to have your tires changed over to Winter tires and waiting in your car in line for one hour.
Imagine applying for your residency papers and being told that you need this and that photo, paper, or permit which you did not know about.
Imagine . . .
You get the picture.
Now let me tell you this is in Austria (not a third world country) and temperatures and temperaments get mighty cold.
Be happy! You have a good life which I wish I could share.
Hi David – Don't forget: Christmas carollers outside your front door on an October evening who won't move on until they receive "their Christmas" ! 😉
Hello, John in Austria: Thank you for your comment. I am really not complaining, since I love the Philippines and live there 6 months every year. I just wish those things do not exists, but am I dreamer?
Cheers!
Hi Paul, someone said that in the Philippines Christmas starts in October 1 and ends on January 3oth. That would really be annoying if you have Carolers in your door steps daily for that whole time period, singing out of tune christmas songs and begging for gifts. Good Day, Paul.
Hi Bacolod Barry: I agree the good things in the Philippines outnumbered the annoying things. Yes, biting insects, mosquitoes and ants are indeed annoying. But I used insect repellent and it seem to work for me. Bureaucratic systems, sometimes can be eliminated if you know someone in that office. Regards to supermarket workers, I just ignore them and they stop greeting me good morning. sir! They just whisper to themselves that I am a grouchy old man when I turn my back. Cheers!
Hi David–I thought it started at the beginning of the "ber months" That would make Christmas carroling even earlier! Add the christmas music in the supermarket till April or May…
Hi Queenie: You may be correct about the start of the Christmas season, the longest Christmas season in the world. Do you have any annoying things you want added to the list? Have a good day!
HiDavid,I like the crowing of the cocks,in fact I like all the noises produce by nature.when I was in Goa,a cock use to wake me up,at 6 A.M. every day,I use it as an alarm clock.In Spain during spring time birds wake me up avery moning,making noise on the glass of mine bedroom window,even,they nest on the window,I love it.
have a nice day.
Hi, Antonio: If you love the cocks crowing, you will love Marinduque. I am used to it by now, it does not bother me anymore. Yes, it is a good alarm clock, but 4:00 AM is too early for me in the Philippines. I wake up around 5:30AM, drink my coffee and walk briskly along the beach until I sweat, takes a shower and eats breakfast. Isn't this a good way to start your day? Take Care, Mi Amigo!
Note: The sound of the birds (MAYA) is one of the many memorable items, I have listed in one of my blogs, that I will always remember at Chateau Du Mer in Marinduque.
Just laugh off these imperfections, sir or maam. These are for the most part minor compared to rising gang violence, drug use, foreclosures, job losses in you know where. The Philippines is a great place to be if you know the culture, speak the language(s) and you have money to spend. David, you’re living a dream life.
Well David, I think that you about covered everything. I guess for me the extra uninvited guests are annoying to me the most during a special occasion. I never mind if some people stop in for snacks or stay for dinner, or even come to a big birthday blowout, but last year's barangay fiesta, my husband invited his distant cousin and his wife from the city. They came, along with two vans full of people we didn't even know! Never again… LOL
David, I would like to add to number 2 about the jeepneys. I agree they drive like maniacs, but the one driver (I sat in the front since the back was full)I had last visit to the Philippines was driving like crazy in the rain and when he needed to stop he had to pump his brakes several times to build up pressure in the braking system.
A comment on number 10- When you gotta go, you gotta go!! 😉
Aldel, thank you for your comment. I guess I am lucky, I am able to live in best of two worlds, the Philippines and United States. As I said previously, a lot of my contemporaries are jealous or envious of my lifestyle. Take Care!
Hi Dave.
I agree with you about the cutting in line thing. Its not just a filipino thing. I hate to sterotype, but it seems here in SoCal all the asians are likely to do it.
Hi Jake: Thank you for corroborating that crazy jeepney drivers in Philippines do exists. The annoying part is, they will not listened even if you complained about their bad driving habits. As far as number 10, the lack of clean public CR especially in the provinces, contributes to this habit.I feel sorry for the female gender who can not easily do it on the walls or along a secluded highway. Cheers!
Hi Hudson, thank you for your comment. Is cutting in line really an Asian trait? Have a good day!
Winter tires??? Oh yeah, I remember them, now. But not fondly 😉
Hello David-As there are a few annoying things anywhere in the world, these things are also in the Philippines, but reading your morning ritual they aren`t nearly that bad as here in the cold Netherlands.
I`ve read your blog David and your place looks like a true paradise for romantic minded people as myself. I`ll try to visit you in the future and keep in contact with you, because Chateau Du Mer in Marinduque seems well worth the visit.
Regards,
Adrie
Hi Adrie: Thank you for your comments. Yes, you are welcome to visit Marinduque and I assure you you will have a grand time. The best time of the year is between November to February ( dry and cool). Easter week is also popular for visitors because of the Moriones Festival. Otherwise, it is either too hot, humid or rainy. Take Care!
Some more annoying traits of Metro Manila:
The stinking Pasig River.
Smelly garbage everywhere in the streets and in the streams and rivers.
The stench of open sewers in the middle of a hot sticky summer.
The smell of urine in public places.
Stray cats and dogs roaming the streets.
Drivers honking their horns all the time.
Drivers from hell driving anywhere and any way they prefer including the shoulders.
Drivers ignoring crosswalks and honking on pedestrians to get out of their way.
all very true lol you 4got menu lists then after deciding upon what you want being told not avalible