How to be happy as an expat in the Philippines

Well. A not so hard way is to settle far from neighbours  and have so litle to do with oficials as possible   

But I aim crazy enough    to try to start a business making a small "bubble" with some nice Filipinos within it, giving them jobs.  Rural in nice nature, far from tourists 

Cheryl wrote:

Hi everyone,

Being happy is surely our common goal, whether we are living in the Philippines as an expat or somewhere else.  We would love to know your tips and tricks to be fully fulfilled and happy as an expat in your host country...
<snip>
Cheryl,
Expat.com team

The Philippines is a developing country. Things don't work as efficiently or smoothly as in the West, therefore it is very important as an expat to "check your ego at the door". Leave it in your home country. Because there will be many opportunities to get annoyed or upset at the way things work. It is much better to appreciate and have gratitude for the many good things about the country - the natural beauty, the friendly people, the inexpensive cost of living, etc.

I personally find it helpful to continue my exercise regimen, wherever I am. In the States my primary exercise activity is cycling, so I also keep a road bike in the Philippines and bike several times a week. I cycle mostly in the mountains or on coastal roads, due to the dangerous traffic and air pollution from diesel vehicles in urban areas. By far the most idyllic cycling I have experienced is on the island of Panglao. I also use local gyms and yoga studios which are inexpensive, and you get to meet local people that way. 

I am constantly amazed by the Filipino people, who exhibit resilience and strength, despite a lot of adversity. They seem to thrive on connections with family and friends, and live more in the present moment than being consumed with worries about the future. Of course this can lead to a lack of planning and organizing but this is where we from the West can help them. So it becomes a two-way exchange of strengths and ideas.

Nicely written and I agree with checking ego in at the door. Great people here indeed.

I have previously lived in the Philippines for over 5 years, and plan to return when travel resumes.

The thing that was on my mind and kept me from being happy was the worry in the back of my mind that something would happen, and being a foreigner, I would automatically be blamed.

Philippine "justice system" is bias to Filipinos.  While there I saw and heard of several times foreigners were blamed and got into trouble just because they were foreigners.

I have also found that Filipinos in general don't mind lying if it benefits them.

I keep trying to think of ways to protect myself like front and rear dash cams; buying good (if there is such a thing there) insurance; and even perhaps hiring someone to be with you most of the time as a translator and a witness if needed.

If there are other suggestions, please let me know.

onefogarty wrote:

Nicely written and I agree with checking ego in at the door. Great people here indeed.

.
ditto
.
Yes, common goal is to be happy and have decent retirement in the Philippines. I had this impression older people can naturally become grumpy. The thought of this makes me angry. 😜
Anyway....The hardest part I foresee when I retire over there is learning to slack, slow down, mañana habit, and expect things will NOT be as fast and accurate as in the US. (I listed only a few.) Having this expectation will probably give me a chance to enjoy being there as a retiree. I bet it will take some time.

Decades isn't enough time to adapt to the culture, and you can't change the culture.

I'm here only because it offers me a much cheaper less stressful/complicated lifestyle..where I've learned to live with less stuff but with much more happiness/satisfaction.
....somehow still manage to get that sensual feeling of being that big friendly fish in this small pond.



“Simplicity is an acquired taste. Mankind, left free, instinctively complicates life.”
Katharine Fullerton Gerould, 1879.

I think that as an expat it is important to understand the differences between cultures. I knew when I came here that things are sometimes done differently here than what I was used to living in the states. Different doesn't necessarily mean bad, or wrong.

If you want to live in a different country than the one you were born in you should embrace THEIR culture. Not demand they adopt yours. In the mid-'80s when I was in the Philippines I visited several VERY rural villages. I remember the children smiling and waving at me as I walked by and saying "Hi Joe!" In one village the children would walk up to me and rub the skin on my forearm because they had never seen a white man. Apparently, they thought they could wipe the white off.

I still love getting out in the country, away from the polluted, noisy cities. In the rural towns and villages is where you get to experience the AUTHENTIC Philippino culture. The vast majority of the Pinoy people are friendly, very happy, honest, and hard-working. Yes, there are pockets of people looking to rip you off but that is mostly in the cities, and certainly NOT unique to the Philippines. Just be aware of your surroundings. If something doesn't "Feel right" PAY ATTENTION to your instincts and GO! Anyplace with a crowd. People looking to commit crimes don't like multiple witnesses.

Cheryl wrote:

Hi everyone,

New environment may require new habits. Which habits did you have to implement to live a good life in the Philippines?

Cheryl,
Expat.com team

New environment for sure.

The most notable thing is the nonchalant handling of meat products and inspection of food sellers stalls.

In any first world countries this would be a public safety concern and these businesses would be inspected and closed down.

I don't have to go into detail, every Expat can see this for themselves.

In the states every now and then on the news you see a Lemonade stand run by Children closed down, a little overbearing by public officials, but nevertheless.

Beware on what you eat, it may be the last thing you ingest.

I second that. I go walking light jogging 3-5 times a week. Have to time it just right as rainy season is starting early this year about a month. Mornings are best time.I am also trying to find some kind of online employment. I am an English teacher but not a big fan of online teaching. Doesnt look like schools will be reopening in the near future. Have been thinking about writing a book about my travels in Asia living and teaching English in Korea-China and Philippines. Gotta give that some more thought. We make our own happiness. Life is about choices! Jimmy

FortuneFavorsTheBold wrote:

Decades isn't enough time to adapt to the culture, and you can't change the culture.

My plan is to
1. Get a clever wife,  who find it ok to make a good MIX of the GOOD parts from Filipino and Swedish cultures.  (Several parts of Filipino culture are GOOD/ok, so mainly replace the crap effectivity, terrible thinking ahead,  lie amd outside instead of inside Filipino culture. 
Sweden  have almost skiped beauty contests because - after winning world contests - most Swedish women skiped beauty contests so Miss Sweden got wonn by women looking BELOW Swedish AVERAGE,  so it becamse became silly.
And I want to snatch thinking generations ahead from Chinese culture 

2.  Settle far from neighbours so I only need to meet people  when I want to. 

3. Bring Swedish Midsummer celebrations to Phils         The FAMILY DAY part with funny games and dance as frogs           I suppouse "my" baranggay will want it, because its among the few baranggays not having any fiesta.

Sinbad-I have lived here near 9 years. I am acquiring new knowledge and insight the longer I am here. ****
I will close by saying "keep a low key and dont draw any attention to yourself". Be careful what you say. Dont insult anyone here. I love the people here but am contemplating moving on after this pandemic. With all that said. May God bless the Philippines!(And all  the foreigners here also)

sinsinbad wrote:

I have previously lived in the Philippines for over 5 years, and plan to return when travel resumes.

The thing that was on my mind and kept me from being happy was the worry in the back of my mind that something would happen, and being a foreigner, I would automatically be blamed.

Philippine "justice system" is bias to Filipinos.  While there I saw and heard of several times foreigners were blamed and got into trouble just because they were foreigners.

I have also found that Filipinos in general don't mind lying if it benefits them.

I keep trying to think of ways to protect myself like front and rear dash cams; buying good (if there is such a thing there) insurance; and even perhaps hiring someone to be with you most of the time as a translator and a witness if needed.

If there are other suggestions, please let me know.

(omo)
It is very helpful if you already have a wife/partner to follow you around; as you would be viewed as someone who would already have local/family ties.
Get to know your barangay captain/join some of their events which will be very helpful in times of crisis. (My partner did after my coaxing & has since been given the title as the local barangay muse ...whatever that means    & she attends their quarterly meetings which always starts with a zumba dance)
Visit the local church occasionally & mingle/smile with the locals.
Also stay away fm any form of public illegal cockfights/gambling/
drunkenness or get involved with any form loan sharking activities.
In my province I normally don't drive fast/or in the nights after 8pm...its too risky as far as the roads/traffic/street lights are concerned.
Always carry yourself well in the public domain & try not to show off your expensive stuff and attract unwanted attention....I'm sure you will be treated well by the locals.
(Again omo)

In 5  words" ALWAYS KEEP A LOW KEY"

sinsinbad wrote:

I keep trying to think of ways to protect myself like front and rear dash cams; buying good (if there is such a thing there) insurance; and even perhaps hiring someone to be with you most of the time as a translator and a witness if needed.

If there are other suggestions, please let me know.

Concerning traffic:
/Car NOT in your name.
/DONT drive yourself.  Having a "domestic helper" driving you dont cost much.
/Or tinted windows in a common looking car so few know its a foreign driver.

Personal safety:
Dont carry much money or values.
If in NPA region - Be a nice guy 

capricornrising wrote:

In 5  words" ALWAYS KEEP A LOW KEY"

I ditto that.

coach53 wrote:

Well. A not so hard way is to settle far from neighbours  and have so litle to do with oficials as possible   

But I aim crazy enough    to try to start a business making a small "bubble" with some nice Filipinos within it, giving them jobs.  Rural in nice nature, far from tourists 

Coach I think you have succinctly demolished Cheryl's introduction in your first sentence 

"My plan is to
1. Get a clever wife,  who find it ok to make a good MIX of the GOOD parts from Filipino and Swedish cultures.  (Several parts of Filipino culture are GOOD/ok, so mainly replace the crap effectivity, terrible thinking ahead,  lie amd outside instead of inside Filipino culture.  "

Good luck with that. Let me know when you reach Nirvana and don't forget to forward the address

Capricornrising,  If you are giving serious thought to writing a book I have two questions and one observation for you.

Question 1. What type of writing experience do you have from past working experience if any?
Question 2. If you don't have what you consider adequate writing experience have you thought about working with a ghostwriter?

Observation. I love writing. Artfully telling a good story is very satisfying to me. I am a content writer. So, if you should decide to go ahead with writing a book about your life and travels I wish you all the best, and I would be glad to help if needed. Just for the record, I think it would make for an entertaining read.

Lotus Eater wrote:

"My plan is to
1. Get a clever wife,  who find it ok to make a good MIX of the GOOD parts from Filipino and Swedish cultures.  (Several parts of Filipino culture are GOOD/ok, so mainly replace the crap effectivity, terrible thinking ahead,  lie amd outside instead of inside Filipino culture.  "

Good luck with that. Let me know when you reach Nirvana and don't forget to forward the address

Well.  I have found a few such Filipinos allready     For instance she, who gave up waiting for me , is clever, think ahead good and have some mixed culture allready by she has been OFW both in USA, Arab countries and Europe.  She DONT speak any Filipino language with her very charmning 2 yo daughter, While the other relatives speak the local language to the her. this mother speak English with her, so the daughter know some English allready , as for instance name of animals  even zebra        

And an other Filipina got scholarship but sshe is second eldest of the 12 ssibblings and had to quit school allready as 13yo to start working to assist the family to survive. I test some of the more clever - and the rich, who claim  they are clever      claiming they by high exams are superior of the poor low educated- at percent counting and she and one of the other LOW educated wonn over the rich high educated Manila Filipinos          Both two poor just knew 1 percent = 1/100. The rest they figuered out correct, while even one with MASTER exam in Business ECONOMY failed!!!    (The harder of the tests was about recounting "5-6" loan interest toi interest per YEAR.  One high educated, who WORK with loans, failed               This very clever poor Filipina have tried very hard to get out of poverty by managed to save to small capital andstart ownbusiness, but have been draged doiwn by others "crab mentality" so he said she will not try again as long as she live with such people.  AND sshe find a big part of her family not being worth support by being to lazy and the three eldest brothers behaving much to bad too when they get drunk.  But its a big problem the few good exceptions live together with the bad, so if support the good ones then the bad ones would sneak benifit too.  Many years ago I thought some about marry her, but  I refuse to support lazy people, which she agree about.  I believe not solvable as long as the exhausted mother is alive by the two youngest kids are among the few good exceptions.     

And my business partner and that ethnic group isnt as Filipinos neither.  But he dont have any unmarried sister          But perhaps some cousins, but I will not tell where at least until I have checked for wife material there for myself         The American, who made I found this good  group,  have hired them for different projects. He said:  "They dont drink or gamble, they work.  Just need to make agreement about pay for total work and tell how I want it done Then its as agreed when I come back, I dont need to check them during work as with Filipinos..."   
And some of them think ahead good too   

Lotus Eater wrote:

coach53 wrote:

Well. A not so hard way is to settle far from neighbours  and have so litle to do with oficials as possible   

But I aim crazy enough    to try to start a business making a small "bubble" with some nice Filipinos within it, giving them jobs.  Rural in nice nature, far from tourists 

Coach I think you have succinctly demolished Cheryl's introduction in your first sentence 

Well. Perhaps you are right, so perhaps I better elaborate   

Cheryl wrote:

We would love to know your tips and tricks to be fully fulfilled and happy as an expat in your host country.

That I have answered some before.  Basicly its same as I have solved it in Sweden  =Settle far from neighbours so I can go and meet people when I WANT to.   Actualy (before injury) I REALY met people MORE than most city people do     by not just pasing people at street but by meet people at dances and in sport clubs as both playing myself and as youth leader

I have it solved allready in Sweden,  but my injury need warm climate and Sweden is cold most of the year.

Cheryl wrote:

New environment may require new habits. Which habits did you have to implement to live a good life in the Philippines?

I dont live there, but I will need to change some eating habbits by missing ingridiences.   I dont want tio eat rice ALL meals, but I can cook myself when I want to  eat something else.
And I need a clever Filipina wife, who agree to a MIX of cultures, picking the good parts from each culture.  Clever include she think ahead good   
And probably live faaaar from her relatives   

But I expect problems with Officials concerning BUSINESS. But Im rather good - except at much to do startups     - to have fast switch between private and business mode. 
A Swede, who only knew me private, but I hired to drive equipment and cameraman to an instruction video production, got shocl when I after had said Hi as my relaxed much joking private me, switched to my very effective serious businsss me in a split of a second   

Cheryl wrote:

How do you keep stress in check? Which activities or mantras help you in that regard?

Well.  Not much stress in a "bubble" at veranda in the djungle      

It can be some hard when having to do with officials, but I dont get stressed just annoyed - or find the bigest crazynesses funny.  When it has been as worst  I laughed and said to my business partner there he got funny story to tell his grandkids when he get old and have earned much by this project after we have solved all mess oficials make for us. (As e g when they  had made a business registration system which was impossible to register our business in    
Concerning money part of business, stock trading and such Im relaxed anyway even in the most stressful - for normal people but Im not normal -  by as long as I have enough for basics,  I think "Its just money" which have made I have kept cool in world financial crisises.  (By that I EARNED good both at the "IT-bubble" and 2008 and I should have  earned very much 1987 if the bank hadnt screwed up when I tried to buy options winning when the market go DOWN.)
But I can become stressed concerning making/keeping good reputation, when it become problem to fullfil doing things good and in time to avoid OTHERS get trouble by that.  But I suppouse less/no stress concerning time in Phils by no one expect to get things in time there      (But we aim at shocking customers by deliver in time and answer emails even fast!!!       (The normal from most Phil businesses they dont answer emails at all or very slooooow. While chinese owned businesses answer fast,)  My business partner have a good worker team allreadyso I dont expect any big probblems from them, but it can be by external transports dont deliver as agreed or equipment breaking and not geting spare parts.  (But the later I plan to have solutions to most of by having stock of most spare parts and in some cases a cheaper slower backup with which we have chance to finning in time by working much overtime.) 

Cheryl wrote:

How to form meaningful connections?

Well. As in other parts of the world, the hard part is to find meaningul connections. I  mean with grownups, easy with kids    
Concerning grown ups I know interesting people spread in Phils allready.
Concerning my favorite age of kids = 3 -- 7 yo its some hard by theycant English yet and my Tagalog/Bisaya is mainly related to real estate, which kids in that age arent so interested in    
Although 2 year olds has an universial big part body language so they have no problem to communicate with other 2 yo. And I can speak some "Twoyearold-ish"     and have some jokes they find funny.  And the 2yo daughter to my ex undertand some English for instance "Funnyy face" then she make a funny face      Or I can trigger such by making some funny faces myself.

If I will find it to litle, I will start coaching some kids team in e g basketball if they want to. (I have coached in several sports in Sweden as playing coach too. Mostly kids teams.)

Cheryl wrote:

How to ...create a support system in the Philippines on which you can rely on?

Well. I know some allready, who have added knowledge. Left to see how relyable some of them would be at an emerency       Im sure e g my buiness partner and some others would do their best.

Cheryl wrote:

How to track your goals and achieve them without feeling overwhelmed?

Well. I have done many goals /challenges allready, so for me myself I dont feel I have to do any more,
but I aim at building a buiness which the family can live of after Im dead.   Although I need to make a family  too   

Now I have reached retirement age so I dont need to have any high achievents anynore - except I expect geting toddlers canbe overwhelming but I hope a rather youn wife will mamage most of it   Concerning ovewhelmed I have hard to become that anyway. It happened a few times when to much had to be done at same time back when I at same time   
1. had two similar fulltime jobs which I had managed to merge to one full time.
2. had a half time work at hotel at nights because I like to be awake at nights anyway and it was almost no work, just needed to be there, so I did much of my full time jobs during this half time work   
3. Half time volontary work as youth leader in sports.
4. Handled the office for the regional chess federation.
5. And as if that wouldnt be enough      I wrote for the province newspaper.  It started with I found the reporter writing to much wrong about the sport club and competitions, so I started writing myself thins about my own club and send to the newspaper. It ended up with they paid me to write about that sport for whole province, but it was no big diference for me by I had developed "my" club so it doninated the province allready.,
6.  And I compeeted myself in basketball, canoe, chess and sailing.

Cheryl wrote:

What did you learn from Filipinos about the notion of happiness and how does it inspire you?

Well. Not sure if I have learned any from Filipinos about this becaise I had it allready      but most "westerners" would gain by learn this from Filipinos:
Many poor Filipinos have capacity to not get depressed and overwhelmed by their problems.  Thats very good   - as long as it dont become to much "happy go lucky" not thinking ahead so they get problems they could have avoided otherwice...
I know some Filipinos, who have a good ballance.

And many have good family relations, poor kids being happy too by they feel loved     
in difference from many rich "western" kids, who have terrible  contact with their parents, who bother much more about money and status than about their kids!!!   

Cheryl,

As for tips and tricks to be fulfilled and happy as an ex-pat in the Philippines. I was taught the importance of "The Golden Rule" growing up. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Simply put, Treat others the way you would like them to treat you. I believe that mutual respect goes a LONG way toward building healthy, long-lasting relationships. I find that as true in the Philippines as in the states.

What habits have I implemented to live a good life in the Philippines? I walk with my wife's oldest sister in the morning. If I skip a day of walking it is so I can hop on my mountain bike and go for a 2 or 3-hour ride. I LOVE getting out in the country and enjoying life at a slower pace. I meet the nicest most genuine people when I take the time to stop and say hello, or ask them about the task they are doing, such as tossing the rice in a basket to separate the husks from the grains of rice. I find they are pleased to have made a new friend who is curious about their life. I think it makes my life and my understanding of the Filipino culture more complete. If I can make someone happy by showing genuine interest in them Then It makes me happy.

How do I form meaningful connections and create a support system in the Philippines? I'm blessed by the fact that there are 9 brothers and sisters in my wife's family. They love me for caring for their sister and I love them for always being there for us whenever we need something. We love to celebrate family occasions like birthdays, weddings, and Anniversaries. Of course with Covid-19 the get-togethers are much smaller and fewer. But, I am optimistic that this will pass and soon things will begin to get back to normal.

What did I learn from Filipinos about the notion of happiness and how does it inspire me? I've learned that money won't make you happy. Family is the most important thing to the Filipino people In my life. They are constantly smiling, laughing, singing, and in Pampanga especially enjoy GREAT Filipino food. It doesn't take much to make Filipinos happy. The ones I know choose to be happy rather than worrying about everything. I think of something I read related to happiness. "Lord grant me the courage to change what I can, The strength to accept the things I can not  change, and the wisdom to know the difference." That is a guiding mindset for me whether in the Philippines or elsewhere.

carlisom78 wrote:

Simply put, Treat others the way you would like them to treat you. I believe that mutual respect goes a LONG way toward building healthy, long-lasting relationships. I find that as true in the Philippines as in the states.

Yes. Except not people who missbehave to much    
Such I prefer to stay away from.

From start I treat poor or rich, undepending of age, the same.  Although I joke different or rown ups than for toddlers     After a while rather few grownups are left but almost all kids...
Worst behaving in average of Filipinos are the rich...  Actualy among my closest grown up Filipino friends are almost all poor, some even squatters WITHOUT I have given them anything else than respect and sometimes I have assisted them with knowledge but never with money (except I paid urgent needed antibiotics for a 3yo boy when he was close to die otherwice.)
(And now Im kind of "assisting" with money by trying to add jobs in one of the poorest rural baranggays. Inspite of officials make it hard    It was even impossible to register a simple business in the registration system they had - until I found contact to their system developer,  who solved it fast     The handlers of that registration step both localy and at head office were totaly incompetent, they only told us to use the registration system online inpite of we had told then why it didnt function!!!       But after months thats solved now.

Time for a Quote :
Most of us avoid telling the truth because it's uncomfortable. We're afraid of the consequences-making others feel uncomfortable, hurting their feelings or risking their anger. And yet, when we don't tell the truth, and others don't tell us the truth, we can't deal with matters from a basis in reality.
Jack Canfield

Wonder-It may be uncomfortable  but telling the truth usually produces better results.Its like when you apply for a job and falsify your application and the employer terminates you because you were not 100% truthful. When I applied for a job in law enforcement working as a correctional officer many years ago in the states, I put down the truth 100% and even though I had a few misdemeanors on my background check the employer hired me anyway. I could have and probably would have lost that job if I didnt disclose the misdemeanors. I left the job a year later as I found out it wasnt my cup of tea. I agree with your other comments completely and can see you are an analyzer and bit of an intellect. Your comments are sincerely appreciated.

Honesty is the best policy.

FortuneFavorsTheBold wrote:

Honesty is the best policy.

)I agree. But many people dont think so... 

Hi Expats. For me beeing happy in the Philippines came with beeing part of the family.

Family gave me from the start the feeling I’m welcome and family is all I need ... Pilipinas - Ang aking pamilya

Beside that I never have had any issue with the food in the Philippines and that was a big release for the family. They don’t need to think about what to cook. Just Pinoy style and all are happy. Not only me.

Okay. Sometimes I find the sidewalk to a Pizza house. But not realy needed. Just for a bit of change.

These days family is even more happy and ne as well. For the first time I found even a job in the Philippines and a secure income is generated. All fine. All happy

Thats what matters at least for us.

I agree Manwonder but they dont realize the man up stairs is watching. Cant fool him!

capricornrising wrote:

I agree Manwonder but they dont realize the man up stairs is watching. Cant fool him!

Do you mean the old man at second floor, who sneak look with binocular at girls 

Being happy is doing what you want, whether it is here or any other place. Mine is travel but with the pandemic it has been put on hold. For most of us our partners are the reason we are here. We want an uncomplicated retirement.
Tip and tricks. Realize you can not change the country, The church is too powerful and damaging to the people. Pollution is a way of life here. Corruption thrives. But I am trying on a small scale with my subdivision to change for the better.
New habits. Do not trust anyone, Filipinos will smile all the while trying to rip you off, the bigger the smile, the bigger the rip off. I have learnt to (nearly)  not trust any Filipinos unless they are employed by a foreign interest.
How do you keep stress in check ?  Me, I drink (and then drink some more).
My connections are mostly ex-pats and a few Filipinos I trust.
My goals. To die peacefully and pain free.
What I have learnt from Filipinos about happiness, it is family that matters most and as a foreigner you will be put last on their list .
This is only my observation, others will see different, so good luck to them.  regards to all   Bruce

Yes, I've always wondered about those open markets.

Contact Charles when u have your company, I'm ready for hire.. cltawake@gmail.com

coach53 wrote:

My plan is to Get a clever wife,

Coach. . . .You don't have to look far, Mary Ann S. is looking for a man like you and your are looking for a clever wife.

A perfect match made on Expat.com

Enzyte Bob wrote:

coach53 wrote:

My plan is to Get a clever wife,

Coach. . . .You don't have to look far, Mary Ann S. is looking for a man like you and your are looking for a clever wife.

A perfect match made on Expat.com

    She seem clever, but I believe she is "city person" and I demand settling rural far from neighbours, so better a wife used to such knowing how to avoid dangers as snakes and insects. 
But not as a wife married to a foreigner.  They were walking to pick some fruits. She walked first but stoped when the dirt path became high grass if taking a shortcut.
-You go first.
-Why?
-You have shoes. Can be snakes there.

The foreigner had LOW shoes so no protection against snakes.  It ended up with they didnt take the shortcut,  they walked around.  When they got there, someone else had picked the ready fruits.

I know some "wife materials" allready. If  I ever can move there. And if they havent become to old then      (I aim at get kids.)

😎

coach53 wrote:

I test some of the more clever - and the rich, who claim  they are clever      claiming they by high exams are superior of the poor low educated- at percent counting and she and one of the other LOW educated wonn over the rich high educated Manila Filipinos          Both two poor just knew 1 percent = 1/100. The rest they figuered out correct, while even one with MASTER exam in Business ECONOMY failed!!!    (The harder of the tests was about recounting "5-6" loan interest toi interest per YEAR.  One high educated, who WORK with loans, failed   

I'm not at all surprised...many here (especially many in the younger generation) have this avaricious need for instant gratification which comes with this distinct need to show off.(Maybe a keeping up with the Joneses mentality) based on an expectation of future higher income or an easier/more lux lifestyle knowing that their very own niece/cousin/sister/neighbour hooked up with a foreigner & as such so too can I/my daughter. Thats till its all gone/broken & then they start blaming everyone/everything else for their pain.
(omo). True happiness may come after years of taking nothing for granted & in the need to work hard/plan/save for anything you want in the future.

manwonder wrote:

coach53 wrote:

I test some of the more clever - and the rich, who claim  they are clever      claiming they by high exams are superior of the poor low educated- at percent counting and she and one of the other LOW educated wonn over the rich high educated Manila Filipinos          Both two poor just knew 1 percent = 1/100. The rest they figuered out correct, while even one with MASTER exam in Business ECONOMY failed!!!    (The harder of the tests was about recounting "5-6" loan interest toi interest per YEAR.  One high educated, who WORK with loans, failed   

I'm not at all surprised...many here (especially many in the younger generation) have this avaricious need for instant gratification which comes with this distinct need to show off.(Maybe a keeping up with the Joneses mentality) based on an expectation of future higher income.

By their knowledge level, I wonder if some BUY their  exam grades..   
Abd  by nepotism these toften incompetentt rich kids get the high paid jobs instead of the clever not rich.
(E g I have told elsewhere about one who put a lot of real estaetes at wrongg islands..)

manwonder wrote:

[or an easier/more lux lifestyle knowing that their very own niece/cousin/sister/neighbour hooked up with a foreigner & as such so too can I/my daughter. Thats till its all gone/broken & then they start blaming everyone/everything else for their pain.
(omo). True happiness may come after years of taking nothing for granted & in the need to work hard/plan/save for anything you want in the future.

Im some tempted to chose a very sexy, ohit temperamented who seem to love me by she has spend much time  at me WITHOUT geting any money.  ( (I broke with her because sshe made some  very stupid misstakes by not thinking before she acted  , messed up much with her own money. But I have told her I will PERHAPS give her a new chance IFF she show she think broper before  she act.  She has imprioved some.)

BUT almost sure better tchance if chose a calm, very  kind .building relation on more FRIEND ytpe love-.

pnwcyclist wrote:

The Philippines is a developing country. Things don't work as efficiently or smoothly as in the West, therefore it is very important as an expat to "check your ego at the door". Leave it in your home country. Because there will be many opportunities to get annoyed or upset at the way things work. It is much better to appreciate and have gratitude for the many good things about the country - the natural beauty, the friendly people, the inexpensive cost of living, etc.

This reminds me of the Johnny Mercer song "Accentuate the Positive." It goes:

"You've got to accentuate the positive
Eliminate the negative
Latch on to the affirmative"

That's my tip to be happy here in the Philippines.  For example:
The sides of some of the columns / posts of my house are not at right angles.   And the stairs handrail looks crooked.     But . . .
I know what's inside and underneath all that concrete. This house is sturdy.
I designed the layout of this house.
The house has great ventilation and lots of natural light.
I didn't take a loan in building this house. No monthly payments to worry about.
I love this house. My family loves this house. 
I still can't figure out why the stairs handrail looks crooked. I looked at the either side and they look aligned with the tiles on the ground floor. But when I look at the middle of the stairs, the distance between the handrails on either side looks like it's getting shorter as you reach the landing.  It's like an optical illusion.  I have a "Mystery Spot" in my house!