Courtesy — The Philippines is a very polite society. I used to think California was a ‘friendly’ place to live, and there are a lot of friendly people there. But.. compared to everywhere I’ve been to here so far.. the Philippines is the most courteous, helpful place I’ve ever been to. And it takes getting used to. I’m not accustomed to people in stores carrying my purchase to the counter for me. Or opening the box and filling out the warranty-card for me so I don’t forget to do it. I’m not used to being called ‘Sir’ everywhere I go. Not just from store clerks.. but everybody. If I stop to ask a random person in a crowd or on the sidewalk for directions.. where I can find some item.. again, very friendly, no attitude and apologetic if they cannot help me. In ten days I’ve already had 3 Trike drivers offer to have me visit their home to meet their sisters once they found out I was not married. True story. Not kidding.. three. And they were serious. Like ‘right now.. we go’ serious. In crowds here you will often hear ‘Excuse..’, ‘Maam‘ & ‘Sir‘. It’s a real mind-blower to be surrounded by so many truly polite people. Usually, back home, you had to be in church or the Midwest to get this kind of treatment.
Mini-Skirts — It doesn’t matter what department store, grocery store or franchise you go to.. in the city just about 100% of them have the same dress-code/uniform for the ladies working
Bring In The Dancing Girls — On my 3rd day here I went to the grocery store.. grocery store, mind you, to get some stuff for my studio. Some Pine-Sol, dish-cloths, shampoo.. the usual boring stuff. When suddenly a gaggle of dancing-girls appear to do a 30-minute dance number right there in the store. Apparently various companies will hire them to wear uniforms with logos of their products as a promotion. I was too distracted by the dance routine to remember whatever product was being sponsored that day. Fortunately I had my camera with me and was able to sit down in front of the crowd that gathered and get some video footage for those of you who think I’m just making this stuff up. (Video-Here)
Learn To Divide By 40.. Quickly — I mentioned the money-exchange. You’ll arrive
‘Baygon’ Is Your Friend — No matter where you live in the Philippines.. there are critters. What kind of critters, you ask? To begin with, house-ants. Tiny, red, seemingly normal house ants. But these are not like the ants back home. These little guys waste
But even scarier than the big cockroaches is the Giant Spider. I’ve only come across one so
Thank goodness for ‘Baygon‘. I don’t know what’s in that green can.. but any insect that even walks across the fumes where you sprayed the day before is suddenly hating life. And spray that right on ’em?.. even the biggest roach will be flipped over convulsing in less than four inches of travel. This stuff makes Raid look like air-freshener. So, your first night in town.. go to the nearest grocery store, get yourself a can or two and spray down the inside perimeter along the wall edges, window sill and doorway. (Or.. just take your chances, sleep-tight and don’t let the bedbugs bite.)
Plan Your Toilet (CR) Trips — Drank a lot of iced tea? Had a big meal? If you plan on going into town then you need to keep a mental list of which businesses have restrooms. Only Jollybee’s has real toilet seats and toilet paper. At the big SM Malls they have lots of very clean, nice restrooms (called CR’s here, ‘comfort rooms’), but even at the malls you’ll need a 5 Peso coin to buy a pack of toilet paper from the vending machine. The Guisano Malls also have fairly clean restrooms, but no toilet paper, no bucket of water and no vending machine so.. bring your own TP or hoard up some napkins if you come across any. The small-street vendors along the road.. no CR’s there so don’t bother asking. If you’re a guy, urinating on a nearby tree or building is not totally out of the question. It’s kinda common, actually so if it comes to that you’ve got that option without fear of a ticket for lewd or indecent exposure. Just pick a place that is somewhat out of view. Bottom-line.. remember where the CR’s are or ‘go’ before you leave the house and you’ll be fine.
It’s Not A Dry Heat — When you come to a tropical climate.. that means ‘humidity‘. I think the word ‘tropical’ is some kind of marketing ploy. While the temperature may only
First.. planning. Like I said, I try to stay out of the midday heat if I can at all delay my errands until later. Second.. hydration. I keep any bottles of water I buy and refill them myself from my own, clean water tank and drink water almost every half-hour or hour as it comes to mind. You’re gonna sweat so.. hydrate! Third.. dress appropriately. I hear the only time men around here wear pants is at funerals and weddings. Even then, it’s iffy. Standard attire is loose-fitting, cotton shirts, some type of loose cargo shorts and sandals. I lasted two days here before I just had to go buy me some sandals. I haven’t worn sandals since I was 4 years old. Personally, I don’t like the simple ‘flip-flops’. I prefer the ones that have straps (no velcro.. velcro sucks).. straps that keep your sandals on so you can actually run in them if needed.. as in getting away from traffic when crossing the street. Get what you want, but I was changing socks three times a day those first two days. Fourth.. shower 3 times a day. Those cold showers are just the trick to cool down. I take one first thing in the morning, another a midday (so refreshing) and finally another just before dinner or bedtime.
Other useful (mandatory?) items are a good pair of sunglasses and maybe a hat for long walks or time outside like at the beach. I usually don’t wear a hat just in town because it messes up my hair and gets all sweaty.. but at the beach it can be a really good idea.
Purell Is Your Friend — I know, ‘Purell’ is the brand name but I didn’t feel like writing ‘alcohol-based bacteria killing gel product‘. There are SO many people here that you just
Well.. that’s about it for now. Maybe you can use some of these tips back home, maybe not. If nothing else.. check out the giant spider video again. Have fun and take care!
Henry V.
www.lifebeyondthesea.com
Author: Reekay V.
Since 2012 I’ve been traveling through various islands of the Philippines as a full-time Expat and spent 1999 living in Vietnam.
Share with me my ongoing adventures of life in the Philippines. Hopefully you find my observations helpful in your own adventures.
— Reekay