norman
Gender: 
Age: 39
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Joined: 21 Oct 2005
Posts: 5
Location: Angeles City
Home Country: philippines
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 Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2005 7:39 am Post subject: Practical Guide to Tourist in the Philippines - Part One |
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A first time, or even repeat tourist to the PI, might be shocked, surprised, and sometimes distraught...all while trying to enjoy him/herself, usually due to circumstances that occur that are simply beyond understanding and defeat all logic.
This guide is designed to give you and inside-look and a deeper-understanding to why and what is going on in this beautiful country, as it will help you in dealing with situations that appear beyond your control.
If you have a tough time with a few aspects of visiting the Philippines, don't get angry...just understand why it happens, and perhaps learn to prevent it in the future.
Lets begin. In the Philippines, PRIMARILY IN THE TOURIST AREAS, you will easily meet and discover a "brand" of Filipino/a unlike any you have ever met abroad, or would meet if you ever visited a non-tourist area in the PI.
Try not to generalize all Pinoys as the same you meet in the tourist hot-spots, as it isn't so. "Tourist-hot-spot-Pinoys" are nothing like "regular" pinoys, and I say this with a fond smile.
You arrive at the airport in Manila, where, depending upon hour of arrival, the delay at immigration could be ultra-quick, or so-so-long, but not as long as other countries. From Immigration to luggage pickup is quick and arrival to the taxi platform is relatively easy.
You will be accosted by several persons offering to "take you anywhere". They might appear as they view you as their "financial salvation" (at least for that day  ) when in many cases, you are.
Be aware that often the "licence" to pick up passangers at the airport, is "sold" to WAY many drivers - in relation to passangers, hence often you might be the ONLY ride that driver gets the entire day. That is quite common, and they will try to milk it for whatever its worth.
In Bangkok, the "arrival-taxi-gals" will offer you a "big gar" for 600 baht, where the outside metered taxi, (thoughtfully placed immediately outside on the same driveway as the exit) is only 350 baht (tolls added) to the Sukhumvit Rd. area...so its roughly less than double.
In Manila, going to Ermita with the prepaid taxi-coupon you purchase is 500php, where a metered taxi (not near the terminal, of course  ) is only 120 peso, making in almost five times as much.
Don't fret, as remember...you have "so much" and they have "so little"....and you have "many money" and it's only around $9 USD in "your money".  Yes, it's a rip-off by western standards, BUT its rare to pay only $9 USD for an airport taxi anywhere. (the Thai metered taxi, runs you $8.95 USD, going by the Thai baht-rate)
Don't be surprised if the driver actually ASKS you for a tip upon your arrival. It's common for him to ask you where you are staying, going, etc. as he is sure to offer you to stay at his "friend's hotel" (where he gets a commission, while you get an increased room-rate to fund the driver's commisssion ) and/or he will offer to be your "service" driver..at a tremendously-inflated rate...of course.
As they say..."gotta milk the cow while it's still warm" No harm intended. That's how they function in tourist areas....they try milking the tourist for whatever it's worth. No, they don't think of tommorrow...only today...one day at a time. Remember..it's not BAD...it's just "different".
Never get mad or upset if asked for a tip...even if politely "requested" one. If you don't wish to tip, merely put on your biggest smile and say thank you. Playing stupid always works. You could hand him 50peso (less than $1) and "fillfill" the small "gratitude". Naturally he might expect or even request 100peso, or even 200peso (double, triple, and quadruple is the common "increase" added ) Just smile and say Thank You. Never get mad, as that isn't viewed at kindly here. The customer is rarely "right" in those cases.
Just remember, whatever you tip or pay for a service.....don't forget that the national salary level for the smaller percentage that is even employed...is only a max of 250 per day ($4.46 USD), which for a six-day-work-week, amount to about $100 USD per month salary (less deductions)
Don't take anything to seriously. Lay back and enjoy what is perhaps the largest "kindergarten" on earth. (spoken tounge-in-cheek)
Good. You have arrived at your/hotel and survived the first STEP in the PI.
Next....
Part Two: Dealing/understanding with street-vendors, beggars, and urchins who accost you as you step out of your cab, and walk around tourist areas.
Part Three: Dealing/understanding hotels in the Philippines, what makes them tick, and what makes them...make YOU tick. |
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