Things Other Foreigners Do That Made You Cringe or Shake Your Head

@Filamretire me too

@Moon Dog  airport? yes, That is where I flew back to the west coast from when I ended my time in the army. that was in 73

@Moon Dog
Could you remind us all of the name of the online dating site again?
-@Lotus Eater

I would be glad to for the benefit of the memory impaired folks, my wife met me on Cherry Blossoms. A popular and well regulated dating site at the time.

This is like deja vu all over again. Back in 2005 I belonged to a Yahoo forum called Mag Anak. There were a few sour old narrow minded dudes on that forum also who thought their way was the only way and the newfangled online dating was the work of the devil.

We are free to do as we please, if you have something against online dating (because you met your wife the old fashioned way) then the solution is simple, don't log onto online dating sites. I don't care how others met their wives. If you met while working in a pickle factory I'm happy for you and would never make a public spectacle of myself by proclaiming successful pickle factory marriages are like winning the lottery.

If you want to walk the streets of Manila looking for that certain someone I wish you success. Just don't let your ignorance of the landscape end you up in a no-go zone. If you see an attractive Filipina on the street, in a mall or coffee shop and she smiles and gives you that look you may be encouraged to approach her and say hello. Just make sure there is not a jealous husband or boyfriend nearby or it could end badly for you. This is the Philippines.

Online dating has exploded in recent years, apparently to the chagrin of the "my way is the only way" crowd. The PSA records show about 5,000 Filipinas marry Americans each year and thousands enter the USA on K1 visas. I've met dozens of Fil/Am couples in Houston, Texas and Warner Robbins, GA and virtually all met on dating sites. I would wager my entire Stan Getz album collection that the vast majority of the Fil/Am newlyweds met on dating sites. If that pisses you off you should take a closer look at yourself, not those around you.

@goldken51 My ETS from the Army was in 1974. My folks had already moved east to Delaware. I grew up in Nicholas County. My dad worked for the Red Parrot coal company for 35 years and died of black lung disease when he was 92. We had annual reunions at some of the amazing parks as long as he was able. I especially liked Black Water Falls and Watoga parks. I'm glad I was able to take my wife camping in those parks.

@Moon Dog April 73 for me. I was in Idar Oberstein Germany at the time. about 19 k from Baumholder.

@Moon Dog April 73 for me. I was in Idar Oberstein Germany at the time. about 19 k from Baumholder.
-@goldken51

I was in Baumholder later in 73. When I returned from Korea I landed in Fort Riley, KS. After 13 months in Korea I finished out the last 8 months of my service in the 1st Infantry Division. When I arrived they were packing up for a NATO exercise called REFORGER V (REturn of FORces to GERmany). The V stood for the 5th exercise since 1969. After 13 months of house boys and partying I was sleeping in tents and carrying a M16 with blanks for 2 months.

I remember Baumholder as one of the towns we convoyed past. I think we went through Bollenbach also. We ended up at Grafenwoehr where we turned in our equipment. Löwenbräu Grafenwoehr in a wooden key is a very good beer.

I could have extended 3 or 4 months in Korea and avoided all that. There was a program at the time allowing early discharge if you had less than 5 months remaining when retuning from oversees. If I knew I was headed for the Big Red One I would have certainly taken that deal.