⌛ just wondering if Dumaguete is safe place to stay for foreigner

Of course these 7 were not gun down in down town Dumaguete City but I heard that a chicken or two got fried, lol

 

Would you ask somebody you just met on the bus how much they make for a living or is it dangerous where he lives? Us Filipinos are mostly easy going people, very resilient and very few thing bothers us. That being said, there are certain triggers that can easily get you a black eye and I guess eiruj03 just got one from Roody. I recommend reading the book just written by the Posadas on "Pinoy Etiquette". I bet you it's cheaper than a visit to the doctor.

 

No I certainly would not and that's a thing that comes with my culture, its deemed as being rude and nosy.

However I am often asked such questions but normally how much my rent for my house is, I don't tell the Filipino that its rude, however if its a neighbor or some one I am not sure of, I will say I have no idea my partner works out the finance and pays the bill. Or sorry I hate talking about money. If I am asked where I live I just say down the road or Damaguete City or in a house, lol

And where do I come from London and its near New York, lol

As far as I have seen Pinoy Etiquette differs from Island to Island the less populated and urban less people want to know your business. But manners differ between classes, the rich upper class have very good manners. The middle class and well educated have fairly good manner dealing with foreigners and friendly mannered but drop the please and thank you when talking to their own class and the poor. The poor drop manners speaking amongst their self and apply good manners to foreigners and the upper classes.

The word po is used very often but the lack of please and thank you is very noticible at the small shops. As I come from a nation that is known for over the top politeness and understand a great deal of the local tongue I notice the a lack of what I would call politeness, but long ago I realize that facial expressions the quick smile, raising of eye brows etc have a lot to do with
Pinoy Etiquette which may take a need of using spoken word of politeness.

As with any country there are rude people amongst the population, but on the whole there are not many here on Negro's and nosiness is down to a bare limit. Cebu is another matter, where everybody wants to know your business, on occasions I have found the need to state "I spek de no egeelesh" lol.

However forget the knife or spoon and fork eating with your hands in a classy restaurant is fun, lol

I however do not think its good manners to urinate on my walls and perhaps its my fault in not placing a porta lav outside my gate, lol My remark if they get caught is "Hey come water my garden I want my grass to go brown" lol

 

I'm a local and I don't think we envied you foreigners. In fact we are happy to see foreigners gather in the boulevard feeling relax and at home. We the locals are proud to have served you that way. locals are shy people and are not used to being around places with lots of foreigners around. There are just those resorts own by foreigners, who seemed to cater only to foreigners. Yes its business, we know. That what we envied coz we can't afford their rates. But as far as safety is concerned, Dumaguete is safe enough.

 

I have hardly seen a look of envy from a Filipino since I have lived here, however I heard Filipino's talk about others envying them. (Shhhsss Filipina's mostly).

To tell you the truth many foreigners cant afford the rates either, perhaps we are following the same flag in that area. The thing is Gotz most foreigners that live here are not rich, cozy maybe but we have to take care what we spend. Much of my own money goes on rent however I got fed up living at one time on a beach half block half nipper hut. So now I have to pay extra for my luxury's.

Still next year I intend to plant some money trees in the garden, lol

In fact I am envious of Filipino's, its that smile, I have tried standing in front of a mirror but I still can not produce the sunshine. There are more things important than money, when you find that out, life looks a whole lot better. I grew up in poverty not as bad as it is here, but its took me 30 years to understand that money is not as important as good friends and happiness.

I actual feel sorry for those that are rich as they pay much more than I do for happiness and enjoyment. So forget the envy gotz being a Filipino you have family and many friends that makes you a far richer person than you may think, if so learn to value what you have as its worth more than gold.

 

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to have sunshine in your smile , it's not the face that smile, it is in the eyes that have sunshine and spark when you smile. That the happiness that came from deep with in you.

 

Yep that's about it

 

Jesusitshot wrote: [ "As far as I have seen Pinoy Etiquette differs from Island to Island the less populated and urban less people want to know your business. But manners differ between classes, the rich upper class have very good manners. The middle class and well educated have fairly good manner dealing with foreigners and friendly mannered but drop the please and thank you when talking to their own class and the poor. The poor drop manners speaking amongst their self and apply good manners to foreigners and the upper classes." ]


You must be an "OLD Timer" in the Philippines already. That was a very astute observation of the Filipinos. One common character that you miss to mention is the Filipinos "Respect for their Elders". This cross over different generations and social classes.

The book I mentioned covers a variety of subjects. I'm not promoting it, by the way, nor am I involved in it's publication. I don't even know the authors. I gave it as a gift to my daughter boyfriend to read after I almost choke him to death for sitting on the head of the table the first time we invited him for dinner. He knows better now. Actually, I took it in stride and explained to him that the head of the table is reserved for the family patriarch. It was my daughter who gave him a hard time after that. We had a good laugh at his expense.

I am delighted that you are enjoying your stay in the Philippines. Don't worry about your smile. When you smile from the heart people will notice, though it may not be apparent to you. I smile everytime I hear an expat talk with a Filipino accent. I think it's very endearing. Have a good life.

 

Thanks Panday.

I have been here for a long time and am picking up the filipino accent, its easier to be understood. Yep I know about the table thing however I have been offered the head of the table myself by my partners parents as I am older than them.

I also know about the bowl of round fruit and one must do a task like washing the dishes up, when you ask for the hand of your sweet heart. It took time to get use to the lip pointing thing and I thought my honey wanted a kiss, lol I observe the custom that requires my partner to help her parents and they have always observe that I am not an ATM, they are very good honest hardworking people of whom I respect.

The blessings and the sharing of food and drink with strangers, great custom in a land full of poverty. I could write a book about it all myself once I have been here for 50 years or so. lol. I learn something new each day about the culture such as last christmas, the need to hide behind the christmas tree, lol. I have to many god children, lol

Thank you for your kind remarks I will read the book and yes I enjoy life here, its a country I have adopted and when I leave here to go to china each year I get home sick after a day or so.



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Best reply so far....:D You are a true comedian

By the way, did an American get shot in Dumaguete just a few days ago? I didnt find anything here in the forum about it. Which of course dont necessarily mean that it didnt happen.