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[QUOTE=BeersTerry;1870335]We in the west just don't realize that in some countries, people are just happy as shit just to have something to eat.[/QUOTE]Take away their credit cards, and Americans in case you don't realize be living a Philippine lifestyle in no time. Give credit cards to Philippines and they be happy as shit to be living just like Americans.
[QUOTE=Sammon;1870302]In many countries laws are for the books only to show. None are enforced. People are too poor to care because there is no real process of complaining or challenging the work conditions, salary etc. People working are just too happy to get whatever little money they can earn. Collectively all the family money is pooled to put food on the table. Children generally have one good dress to wear for special occasions like weddings, church functions, school graduations etc. There are no child labor restrictions except on the books. Granted a 13 year old in a poor country is much more street smart and can manage a store by herself. It is quite safe in rural areas for locals.[/QUOTE]There must be some really young people on this board or either some really short memories. It sounds like you are talking about the USA 100 years ago. When I took my dad to a chick's house in Dominican Republic he said the bare floors and cinder block walls and furniture and sheer curtains in doorways is exactly what it was like when he was a kid. It's just that some countries have been able to "advance" faster than others. Being a Black American all it would have taken was for my ancestors to be put on a different boat (or not have gone on a boat at all) and I would have more than likely been in the same position now as many of those poor people.
[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1870420]he said the bare floors and cinder block walls and furniture and sheer curtains in doorways is exactly what it was like when he was a kid. It's just that some countries have been able to "advance" faster than others. Being a Black American all it would have taken was for my ancestors to be put on a different boat (or not have gone on a boat at all) and I would have more than likely been in the same position now as many of those poor people.[/QUOTE]This observation -- while correct -- has more to do with class than race. Unfortunately in racist America, people more often see and reference your color rather than your benighted class background, while in reality bla-mericans have no monopoly on this experience as immigrants to America from Europe and elsewhere were every bit as impoverished. Difference is some ethnic groups "advanced" faster than others.
[QUOTE=Dg8787;1870277]As you know most Pinays love dining at Jolibees. I myself find their fried chicken and rice with a side order of buttered corn and pineapple juice pretty decent. I dislike the Jolibees near Checkpoint as I find it too crowed and dirty. There are a couple other options for Jolibee. They will deliver to most hotels within 30 minutes with a phone order.
The other option is to take the jeepney to the end of the run at Friendship. At the end of the run is the newer Jolibees. This one is not so busy and a lot cleaner. You can catch the return jeepney right in front of Jolibees.
BTW the jeepney price was rolled back to P7. 5 earlier and now recently have been rolled back further to P7.[/QUOTE]Filipinos have told me that the Jollibee just inside the Clark base area just across from Perimeter next to the large Petron station gives large good fried chicken pieces. Not easy to get there physically unless you have a car.
[QUOTE=Golfinho;1870345]Take away their credit cards, and Americans in case you don't realize be living a Philippine lifestyle in no time. Give credit cards to Philippines and they be happy as shit to be living just like Americans.[/QUOTE]Except for the fact that Philippine credit cards interest charge is about 3. 5% PER MONTH! Balance transfer fees of about 10% and most lower end cards have chunky annual fees.
[QUOTE=Fastpiston;1870441]Except for the fact that Philippine credit cards interest charge is about 3. 5% PER MONTH! Balance transfer fees of about 10% and most lower end cards have chunky annual fees.[/QUOTE]Well, yes: the American "lifestyle" is financed by cheap credit for the masses. If Americans were subject to the realities faced by Philippines, then the masses of Americans in their homeland would be reduced to living a Philippine lifestyle.
[QUOTE=MrEnternational;1870420]There must be some really young people on this board or either some really short memories. It sounds like you are talking about the USA 100 years ago. When I took my dad to a chick's house in Dominican Republic he said the bare floors and cinder block walls and furniture and sheer curtains in doorways is exactly what it was like when he was a kid. It's just that some countries have been able to "advance" faster than others. Being a Black American all it would have taken was for my ancestors to be put on a different boat (or not have gone on a boat at all) and I would have more than likely been in the same position now as many of those poor people.[/QUOTE]Don't know about you but my memory doesn't go back 100 years, LOL!
But you are right. 100 years ago there was also still a lot of poverty in my country (Holland) as well. Hell, even in the nineteen-seventies there were still slums in cities like Rotterdam. I remember that very well because we always passed them when we were travelling south to visit family.
They were not like the slums you see in the Phils but it came close.
[QUOTE=Fastpiston;1870441]Except for the fact that Philippine credit cards interest charge is about 3. 5% PER MONTH! Balance transfer fees of about 10% and most lower end cards have chunky annual fees.[/QUOTE]Americans would not be in so much debt. The way I see it, Americans enjoy their life using other people's money. Yes, even a mortgage from Fannie Mae, you're actually borrowing from institutional and personal investors.
[QUOTE=Golfinho;1870345]Take away their credit cards, and Americans in case you don't realize be living a Philippine lifestyle in no time. Give credit cards to Philippines and they be happy as shit to be living just like Americans.[/QUOTE]Credit cards?! You're presuming adult Filipinos have bank accounts. Most don't. [URL]http://business.inquirer.net/190998/3-of-10-filipinos-have-bank-accounts[/URL].
[QUOTE=Hutsori;1871001]Credit cards?! You're presuming adult Filipinos have bank accounts. Most don't. L[URL]http://business.inquirer.net/190998/3-of-10-filipinos-have-bank-accounts[/URL].[/QUOTE]You're presuming a bank account is requisite to getting a credit card in the USA.
[QUOTE=NapaSlapper;1869692]Obviously Dg8787 you do not read the local Phills / Angeles newspapers, tourists have been murdered in robberies many times, few Koreans recently and a Brit on perimeter road in broad daylight a while back, robbed, murdered and body left on the street as I recall.
As for armed guards in banks not sure where you live but here in Thailand we have no armed guards in banks, in the whole of the united kingdom there is not one bank with an armed guard, I have visited most Asian countries and not seen an armed bank guard same for most of Europe.
Again as for malls, ATM machines, convenience stores, hotels only seen armed guards in phills from all the countries I have visited and there have been many countries.
Why do everyday good business owners of Angeles feel they need to pay large sums to employ armies of heavily armed security if its so safe, its because its full of thieves / robbers / murderers out there and they do not feel safe without the protection.
Further, Stupidity has nothing to do with getting pick pocketed / robbed / murdered in Angeles city, it has to do with lots of uneducated scum bags that are shit poor wanting to put food in their mouth or buy their next fix of yabba / heroin.[/QUOTE]I must agree on this. After spending a lot of time and travels in the Philippines from 2007 to 2011 I thought I was safe. I always wondered why the girl I travelled with insisted on us bringing a "bodyguard". I said; Body guard, for what? After a few years I understood; Under the "smiling surface" of most people there is a desperation for money (almost everyone is dirt poor) and there is a lot of "high blood" related to jealousy (Philippine people must be the most jealous people on the face of the earth) and envy. Then there is the drug problem in many areas. All of this leads to a lot of fights, robbery and murder. It is a lot worse than you think! So yes, even AC seems OK if you behave normal and do not act stupid you will be fine, but it is still not a "safe" country as such compared to "western developed countries".
For me, after spending most of my time in Thailand the last 2-3 years, it feels much safer. There is less desperation and despair, and less "macho" culture among the men. You can of course find trouble also in Thailand, but I always feel more safe there.
Sammon & X man thanks for the 411.
I returned from my AC trip and stayed at the Central Park Tower and can confirm they do not ask for ID when escorted up, but they do call the room to let me know that they are leaving.
For anyone looking at Central Park Tower, I'd stay there again. Great location, easy to find (tall building visually can be seen, clean and new. The only downside is they only have 2 elevators so when it is busy you will have to wait a bit.
[QUOTE=Sammon;1865080]IMHO none of the hotels I stayed in asked for I. D. If you escort them in no questions will be asked. If they come by themselves reception will call you and certain M / S is downstairs for you. You need to say ok, send her up. They do not check I. D. They just ask the girl what her name is. When the girl leaves unescorted they call your room to get your permission for her to leave.
Almost all visitors are in AC for girls. So it is your own responsibility to make sure that the girl is of legal age. If you have taken the girl from the bar you are safe because bars nowadays make sure the girl is of legal age. It was not always the case before. There was a time girls of age 13-16 were hired to be dancers in the bar. Now there are frequent police raids to deter this practice..[/QUOTE]
Many who defend the right to bear arms will say that an armed society is a polite society.
[QUOTE=NapaSlapper;1869273]Not sure how anyone can call Angeles city safe. If its so safe why does every hotel have security with automatic weapons / shotguns, why does every mall, every 7/11, even establishments that deal even in small amounts of cash have heavily armed guards.
Now if Angeles is so safe then why the need for all the weapons and the countless posts on every Angeles based forum about theft / pickpockets / scams.
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[QUOTE=Aviator12;1871575]I must agree on this. After spending a lot of time and travels in the Philippines from 2007 to 2011 I thought I was safe. I always wondered why the girl I travelled with insisted on us bringing a "bodyguard". I said; Body guard, for what? After a few years I understood; Under the "smiling surface" of most people there is a desperation for money (almost everyone is dirt poor) and there is a lot of "high blood" related to jealousy (Philippine people must be the most jealous people on the face of the earth) and envy. Then there is the drug problem in many areas. All of this leads to a lot of fights, robbery and murder. It is a lot worse than you think! So yes, even AC seems OK if you behave normal and do not act stupid you will be fine, but it is still not a "safe" country as such compared to "western developed countries".
For me, after spending most of my time in Thailand the last 2-3 years, it feels much safer. There is less desperation and despair, and less "macho" culture among the men. You can of course find trouble also in Thailand, but I always feel more safe there.[/QUOTE]I have traveled all over the Philippines and never had a bodyguard. I am shocked you would post that you used a bodyguard. How much did it cost you? Maybe she used fear to get someone a job?
[QUOTE=Robbaf;1871831]I have traveled all over the Philippines and never had a bodyguard. I am shocked you would post that you used a bodyguard. How much did it cost you? Maybe she used fear to get someone a job?[/QUOTE]Hell. At 200 pesos/day why not get one!