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I'm a retired expat living in Bangkok for 4 years, and I am very impressed with the posters here (no BS). Why? You are respectful. The largest and most common expat website in Thailand is Thaivisa.com (some of you may know it), and on every thread, at least 30 percent of the responses are sarcastic, cynical snarks. Its so bad we expats just joke about it and accept it is the case. What really got me noticing about the courtesy of folks here is someone had posted a thread about how to meet a nice women in the PI. Oh my gosh...I was ready for a 80% put-down rate, just knew almost all the responses would be who could be the funniest jackass in insulting the poster. I was amazed that there were serious replies, all of them I believe. Now I am wondering why that is...meaning why the posters in Thailand are so jaded.

 

At this festive season of the year, Mr. Scrooge,' said the gentleman, taking up a pen, 'it is more than usually desirable that we should make some slight provision for the poor and destitute, who suffer greatly at the present time. Many thousands are in want of common necessaries; hundreds of thousands are in want of common comforts, sir.'

'Are there no prisons?' asked Scrooge.

'Plenty of prisons,' said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.

'And the Union workhouses?' demanded Scrooge. 'Are they still in operation?'

'They are. Still,' returned the gentleman, 'I wish I could say they were not.'

'The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?' said Scrooge.

'Both very busy, sir.'

'Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course,' said Scrooge. 'I am very glad to hear it.'

'Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude,' returned the gentleman, 'a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?'

'Nothing!' Scrooge replied.

'You wish to be anonymous?'

'I wish to be left alone,' said Scrooge. 'Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas, and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned—they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there.'

'Many can't go there; and many would rather die.'

'If they would rather die,' said Scrooge, 'they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population. Besides—excuse me—I don't know that.'

'But you might know it,' observed the gentleman.

'It's not my business,' Scrooge returned. 'It's enough for a man to understand his own business, and not to interfere with other people's. Mine occupies me constantly. Good afternoon, gentlemen!'

Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point, the gentlemen withdrew. Scrooge resumed his labours with an improved opinion of himself, and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him.

 

It has been a long time since I wanted to join Dumagueteinfo Forum and have my voice heard. I always postponed it, thinking, why do I need to post my complaints here and maybe spread negative vibes.

But finally I realized that it's important to tell and share my opinions with others so we can all learn new things and grow and improve together.

I live in the Philippines almost 19 yrs. and I have travelled all over the country and finally chosen Dumaguete 10 yrs. ago.

But now I am not satisfied about this city anymore for many reasons, one of them is the high level intolerance that I experience almost every day.

This is one of the many stories I want to tell.

Yesterday I was shopping at Lee Plaza and was going out. At the main entrance there was a Filipino couple in their 50's with a lot of boxes and bags (shopping items from Lee Plaza). The wife was sitting beside the boxes on the stairs and there was plenty of space for other people to access the entrance. The mall was not crowded at all at this time.

The guard approached the woman in a rather unfriendly manner and told the woman that she was not allowed to sit there. Looking at the woman she looked tired from the shopping and obviously with all those boxes she was just waiting for somebody to pick her up. For sure she was not planning to spend the whole day on the stairs.

But the guard insisted that the woman was not allowed to sit there.

I find this instance very annoying to a customer who has done extensive shopping, (maybe feeling tired) in the supermarket and just waiting to be picked up.

You might think, is this important, yes because there are many more episodes of intolerance at Lee Plaza and around the city, I will tell more stories in my future posts.

Note: By far the most customer unfriendly mall I have seen in 30 yrs. of travelling around the world!

 

It's taken me about nine years to get it (mostly) right. I think I know how to do it now. I will be happy to answer any questions.

 

New place in town for smoked pork and beef... Smoke House on the south road across the street from U Wash and on the same side as the Patron station about half a click south of Gie Gie"s. I have been twice and purchased smoked belly (bacon) and pork and beef sausage and now smoked beef (from Australia) all were very good and prices seem reasonable.

 

There have been many topics about getting an ECC at the airport - and many more answers/opinions - yes, no, maybe but I'm not gonna risk it...

So... while in Manila this time I managed to video Exactly where I have got my ECC several times and give a couple pointers.

 

Just a heads up for those that use "Cats & Dogs" vets in Bagacay, in case anyone is not aware, They are moving Tomorrow 15th September to San Jose Extension off Larena Drive. It is a Pink Complex on the right just before the Memorial Park

 

We foreigners are not cheap, we are frugal. Most retirees are frugal wherever they live. When them big checks stop coming in after retirement you have to learn to cut back or go broke.

So we are not cheap but we can be convinced. IF the value for the peso is there. For example, I won't frequent a place with a nice decor that sells bacon and eggs with a sprig of parsley for 300 pesos when there are loads of places that offer the same thing with less atmosphere for half the price.

 

Manila - The Philippine National Police (PNP) has released a total of 1,828 police officers since President Rodrigo Duterte's inauguration and his fight against illegal drugs. - klajoo.com - PNP spokesman Benigno Durana has announced that since July 2016, a total of 6,401 police have received administrative penalties for involvement in criminal activities such as illegal drugs, bribery, extortion, corruption, maltreatment, dishonesty, serious misconduct, serious breach of duty and seriousness Irregularities. Durana said a total of 3,589 police officers were suspended, 362 were demoted, 403 were reprimanded, 147 were punished, 43 were deprived of privileges and 29 were not allowed to leave their assigned quarters. According to Durana, 498 police officers were investigated for illegal drugs, 266 were tested positive for illegal drugs, of which 261 were released and 232 were involved in illegal drug activity in their districts, of which 92 were dismissed. Durana said, "The Philippine National Police, under Duterte's administration, have maintained the momentum of their continued internal cleanup program with the 190,000-strong police force over the past two years, and organizational discipline and internal reform are central to the Tuesday agenda of PNP chief general Oscar Albayalde become. " KR 04.08

"Has released a total of 1,828 police officers"
what's out of a total of 190,000 1 out of 103
" a total of 6,401 police have received administrative penalties" what's 1 out of 30 !!!