I’d like to go to the Philippines someday, and I really dislike the stereotypes presented that there could only possibly be one reason.
I’ve spent about a quarter of my life training in the martial art arnis; I’m knowledgeable enough that I have taught or helped to teach classes myself. I would love to go to the land where it was born and train with masters there… which just happens to be the Philippines.
I’m also a software developer by trade and have worked with a few people who my company outsourced from the Philippines. A couple of them have really been a delight to work with and I would really like to travel and hang out with them.
It’s irritating that I need to include a wall of text to justify that I may have a non creep reason to want to travel. Thanks a lot, actual creeps ruining things for the rest of us.
My brother is 26 and his gf is a similar age. Because we’re on the other side of the world they’ve a long distance relationship but he traveled there last year to spend a few months with her. They talk basically all day on a Saturday and Sunday as he works during the week. There’s nothing creepy or pedophilic about him yet that’s clearly the assumption that would get made when despite being around the same age. And yes I have seen what his gf looks like and she speaks to the rest of the family sometimes too.
You know what? Fuck the haters, and go. By being yourself, and going for your own reasons, you are doing a big part to break this ridiculous stereotype.
I’m a foreigner who owns a business in the Philippines and has worked connected to there for years. (Though I live elsewhere in China) You don’t have to worry about anything - the Philippines is awesome and tons of people go there for legit reasons and no one will raise an eyebrow about your trip, all good.
The big thing I will say from my experience there: the people are AMAZING. I didn’t get ripped off, everyone was so friendly, got to play basketball with a group of kids and had a blast. And the nature is incredible.
It also had some of the most downtrodden areas I’ve ever seen, some of the biggest displays of wealth disparity, and after a few weeks on different islands, Manilla felt more like a theme park for the rich than any kind of city.
Overall, really recommend it, but try going off the beaten path!
I feel like there should be a disclaimer on this comment: “WARNING: you are more likely to get ripped off, shot, witness cartel activity, and/or have your organs illegally harvested in the Philippines. Please speak with your doctor to see if going to the Philippines is right for you.”
I think you’re going a little bit too hard on the denial. I get you’ve lived there and seen your share of things, but that stuff IS more present.
I do appreciate that you don’t want to let these things dissuade others from traveling there, but honestly, I would have benefitted greatly from hearing that warning before visiting Manila.
Are there risks? Sure, especially if you purposefully wander into shady activity. If you don’t, though, it’s largely a normal, albeit economically challenged, place. And the people, food and natural environment are great.
I understand this. I was underemployed for a while, so I was doing tutoring American English online. Since I was working graves, my schedule meant I ended up with clients from SE Asia, China, Japan.
After a few months, I found better work and didn’t need to tutor as much. I cut my availability and was down to 2, then one.
The one I still tutor is a Filipina in nursing school. Most people, when they find that out, go straight to the “I’m a creep/She wants a green card” duality.
I get tired of explaining that she actually qualifies for permanent residency as soon as she gets her work visa. She doesn’t need me at all to come to the US to work.
There are plenty of legitimate organizations and agencies that help Filipino nurses get jobs and visas at minimal cost above the required fees.
She has mentioned that she’d prefer to live with me and would be open to a relationship with me, even though I am older…much older.
I leave that last bit out when talking to folks because it makes me sound like a creep. I totally get why people would think that.
On the other hand, an attractive, intelligent, hardworking, and fun younger woman is interested in me? It’s a challenge to say no to that.
Most people, when they find that out, go straight to the “I’m a creep/She wants a green card” duality.
Pro-tip. When someone says something like that just stare at them. When they start getting nervous and ask you a question like “what?” coldly ask them to repeat what they just said and perhaps elaborate on it. Keep starring even after they backoff or apologize. Keep it up until they walk away.
No one will ever question your love again because people are fucking cowards and bigots are even more cowardly than most.
It’s like you didn’t even read their comment and just jumped to “make them explain it!” like that’s going to shame some 50yr old who thinks his buddy is picking up a mail-order bride.
Haven’t been to Thailand since my 20s (with girlfriend) but there were plenty of bars where the hostesses seemed like they would perform other services if the clientele had money for them. Not to mention actual brothels and sex shows. I went looking around Pattaya on Google Maps to see if it was still like that and was disappointed to see that many of the streets had been knocked and big resort hotels built there. Still a few dodgy areas though still.
The people are wonderful, COL is inexpensive, the food is outrageous, the sailing is awesome, the weather is warm, and healthcare is affordable. What’s not to like?
It’s the worlds oldest profession and these ladies can make more than engineers in their country. I don’t believe calling them desperately poor is fair.
I’m not talking about the prostitutes. I am talking about the younger Filipino women who get married to older American men so they have money for their family.
I don’t think reality is that black and white. I doubt the vast majority of ladies working in the red-light districts even consider themselves “prostitutes.” Many are waitresses, bar girls, and masseuses. Technically, prostitution is illegal in Thailand. If the relationship you describe is truly just a business transaction, it seems to be in the same venn-diagram circle as “prostitution.”
I unironically would love to visit Thailand for the cuisine. Then again, if the internet is any indication, I must be the only white man on earth who isn’t particularly into Asian women.
I took these pictures, in the former Siam capital, this past summer. If you really think there is only reason to go to that part of the world is hookers I don’t know what to tell you other than that says a fuckload more about you vs what it says about the people you are mocking. Oh and for the fucking record I am not divorced, not 50+, and very much married. People who post crap like this insult some of the most fascinating parts of the world with unique cultures built up over so many thousands of years.
Oh I see. I am one of the “well-behaved good ones”, right? Hey how about we don’t stereotype people and how about I call out bigotry regardless if it involves me personally? Do I have your fucking permission to do that?
Shit dude. You got triggered. These are sex tourism destinations, that doesn’t mean they are only sex tourism destinations.
Wherever this anger is coming from has nothing to do with these meme.
Seek therapy.
Unfortunately, I suspect you won’t because you feel your anger is justified. Your feel we’re mocking you and don’t empathize, likely because this is too often the case in your day to day life.
You’re insufferable. Lol. Not sure what argument you think I’m making. All I said is you don’t seem to be the subject of the meme and you seem like an angry person.
You really do need to look at why you are so angry about all this though, that’s not healthy. I just want a better community for everyone, best of luck.
If you want a better community why aren’t you calling out the objectification of South East Asians? This meme is heavily implying that there is literally only one reason why a single older male would want to go there.
Sorry not sorry I called out bigotry today. Guess I should have sat here while it happened. Would that make you happy? People not speaking up.
Anyway I am done you people want to reduce tens of millions of people to sex toys for the crime of being poor go right ahead.
It is a tourist thing there. You rent clothing of the style of the 13th century royalty as you walk around in the 13th century ruins. Yes me and my family did it because it was fun.
Utterly fascinating part of the world. From the food and clothing to art to the temples to just the natural beauty. Every time I go I wish I had more time to spend there just so I can visit one more site see one more traditional dance eat one more amazing meal.
i can’t decide if it’s sadder that you’re this triggered or that you’re trying to hide it behind photos of tourism sites and vague concerns about a culture you clearly didn’t have time to appreciate yourself.
I was with my family (mom, cousins, etc etc) in Thailand this summer too and we didn’t see anything weird either, and the country, food and temples were amazing, and everything was very safe. (it was very nice to see my mom and aunt/uncles, on their 60s, visit such exotic place, they had a wonderful time)
But don’t get triggered, people that do memes like these are mostly teenagers that think that “old people” should just stay home. These people probably never went on vacation outside their country anyway, I always found out that people that have travelled abroad tend to be more open minded and do less generalisations.
The only tragedy here is if someone is not aware of the rat kids on the internet, and memes/ideas like this prevent them to travel and see there is world out there, and is not as painted in the internet, everything is way more normal.
So, if someone of any age reads this, I can’t talk for Philippines since I haven’t been there, but Thailand is amazing and not at all as painted here. Careful with the sun though, sunburns could be quite brutal.
Man, I just wanna live in a hut for a year by a beach in an island fishing village that Instagram never found. No crowds please, thank you. I want to pay $5 for big bowl of fish, rice, and tropical fruit. I want to snorkel on a coral reef all day, then smoke a bowl and watch the stars all night. I won’t even be a lazy slouch. I’ll lend a hand to anybody in town with almost anything. And yes, I know these places are long gone now.
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