Makes me wonder why some expats are so quick tempered. Filipinos are, by nature, slow people and those not used to this slowness usually lose their temper. You have to remind yourself that you are no longer in USA or wherever is your place of origin. Welcome to the Philippines!

 

Cause trailer park folks get hurt feelings too, you know!

 

I witnessed a foreigner verbally attacking a sales associate at Lee Hypermart several years ago. I felt horribly for the girl and I did feel obligated to apologize to her for his behavior. I told her I was so sorry how he spoke to her and that we aren't all like that. She smiled and said, "Thank you, ma'am". If people are that unhappy living in a country not their own, then they should go back. The visitors should never expect the host country to change their ways to accommodate them, they should be appreciative of their hospitality.

 

The person most insulted by bad behaviour is the person behaving in that way - it shows a total lack of respect for themselves as human beings and as members of the society to which they currently belong.

 

People are assholes everywhere, I guess the issue for ex-pats is, whether you like it or not, you are representing all ex-pats, at least those that look like you do. I know I've had to control my temper sometimes and knowing that helped me to do it.

 

There are two sides to this story, I certainly agree that chewing out or berating a sales person is very poor judgement but sometimes I understand its hard to keep your mouth shut. Sunday a bunch of locals were on the beach in front of my house. No problem but when they came on to my property and started throwing their garbage all over then climbing up tree's and tearing branches off so they could have a fire to cook something on I had a word with them. " Please pick up your garbage and take it home with you, it is not my job to pick up after you. I have no problem with you being here because I see the beach next door is so filthy and full of human feces and plastic bags. Also please refrain from tearing branches of my Talisay tree's that I planted here 30 plus years ago.. Thank you. ANSWER f*ck you Joe.. so I blew a gasket and told them all to get out and never come back or I will charge them with trespassing and call the police.

 

In those circumstances all reasonable people would agree with your concern and action - it is self defense.

 

Earlier I was at the Robinson’s supermarket. I bought 6 imported Magnum ice cream bars, a 1000 mg bottle distilled water and other items. The ice cream bars were 55p each.

The bagger placed the ice cream bars in a plastic bag. She then placed the bottled water in the same bag. The bottle tipped over on top of the ice cream when she set the bag aside.

At the fruit stand.. I partially filled a small plastic container with assorted fruits pieces. The worker weighed the container and placed a sticker in the amount of 327.49 pesos on the side of the container. I asked for a reweigh....the corrected amount was 97.23 pesos. I did not buy the item.