BILL'S TRAVEL TIPS
1.) Always carry small change in Pesos, Coins and 5, 10, 20 and 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 and walk away. NEVER ask "How much?" because the price goes
up. A MOVING Taxi is too busy working so it's a better, more honest
taxi and a parked taxi is waiting for victim. Tip the taxi driver P10
to P20 to reward him for not hassling you. Good Karma always comes
back to 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 and not even for drinks. It's safer not to gamble. It's one
example in life where when you win you lose and 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 and 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 and "fair
fights" are not the custom, "fight to kill" is.
6. ) Forget about the 2 words "WHY" and "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 and enjoy
the positive aspects of your surrroundings with a sense of humor.
7. ) Expect everything to be late and slow. Life stops at LUNCH.
Schedules change and 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 and 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 the edge of your pants to get your money or travelers checks at a bank but it's MUCH SAFER. Even when you drink or otherwise indulge too much your money is much safer near your - - - -
10.) Don't WORRY, BE HAPPY :-)
We have these posted on the wall of our small hotel / hostel near the Manila airports but you could apply them them to many other undeveloped countries as well.
http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Island/7106/ or http://www.geocities.com/TheTropics/Resort/2276/
