Paying Too much Does NOT Get You Better Service
The babae can tell who knows the scene and who is a clueless sex tourist fresh off the jet. Unlike some who will gladly pay 2500 pisos PLUS TIP for two hours with a Filipina with a body reminescent of American women (see Dannah Mae folder), better looking girls can be had for way less than half of that if you avoid places mainly patronized by foreigners and if you BARGAIN. The girls will take all your money if you let them, but they respect you more if you know enough to bargain. This applies to EVERYTHING in the PI. Those who just accept the first offer really do "pay too much" but you don't need to be one of them Sun Devil. Bill Buxton is right that most hookers and mamasans will rip you off IF YOU LET THEM!
East Asia and all those Roxas places except Visions are clip joints praying on the clueless (of which there are many including some here on this forum dispensing advice). Go to fleece joints expect to be fleeced. Even EDSA complex is much better than those Roxas ripoffs. But if you insist on spending $200 per day on women then go to Pegasus and get a real stunner!
If you are a bit adventurous, I also urge you to get away from Manila to get GFE at much better prices than in Makati/Manila and to have a more authentic Philippine experience.
I Agree With Guinness that Street Girls for 200P Are Iffy
there is a happy middle ground between bottom of the barrell skanks and overpriced prima donnas.
I disagree with Guinness that there is ONE "going rate"; IMHO there are SEVERAL rates. EVERYTHING is subject to negotiation, and the "going rate" you will be charged depends largely on their perception of your ABILITY TO PAY. Being a foreigner you are ALREADY marked as "rich and foolish", but you can minimize the "foolish" part by doing research and avoiding notorious clip joints (e.g. East Asia), dressing nice but not over the top (leave the bling at home!), learning at least a few key Tagalog phrases like machado mahal (too expensive), and, most importantly, do NOT appear too eager or anxious for a particular girl. Also, if you stay in 5 star hotels, the girls will often expect to be paid more thinking you ae a big spender.
Play it cool and be patient, and SMILE when you bargain (raising your voice or getting forceful will merely cause them to lose any respect for you they might have otherwise had), and they will reduce their price 95% of the time.
IMHO, a savy monger can find that fine line between being "cheap" (koriput) and being "foolish" (bobo) and thus maximize quality pekpek for your pera ($).
Finally, I am happy to see that Guinness has FINALLY realized that members can disagree and express divergent opinions without resorting to juevenile namecalling and slander. Let us hope his epiphany is not merely temporary.
Looking for local information on Batangas
Hi,
I have never been to the philipines but have been talking with a girl who lives in Batangas, 60 miles south of Manila, for a year and a half now and was looking advice from someone who knows the area people very well.
My questions are essetially about local politics, and social norms, not about mongering. I dont think she is a working girl but I have my suspicions. I am considering visting her, but I have heard horror stories of stupid tourists being scamed, arrested, or murdered. Over the past year a lot of things have been said to set off my scam-radar.