Manila

X Man's survival tactics.

Walk quick and with purpose, even if you're lost. Especially if you're lost.

Look dodgy people in the eye. Don't smile unless it is you've perfected Heath Ledger's Joker smile.

Don't give kids change, you create an exponentially growing problem. If you must give them something, give them a snack you got at the convenience store. Throw the snack in front of fast moving traffic.

If trapped in a potentially dangerous situation, start snorting, eyes rolling, spastic movements. You'll scare most people away. And the the meth freaks, they'll think you are one of their own. This also works on Tokyo trains. People will get up and move, you can lay down if you want. Anyway, back to MNL.

Don't shave -- looking scary is good. Don't wear jewelry. Don't walk around like a chickenshit.

And always wear plaid. It seems to incite those pale looking British folks, even though it scares away Fil. criminals.

X

[QUOTE=X Man]Is this something new? Can anyone confirm?

It's been a while since I went to EDSA, but my alcohol-addled memory says 8pm is the opening time.

X[/QUOTE]drive past at 4pm and you will see the dleiveries being made. Drive past at 6 and you will see the lights on and girls going in.

I'm often exiting the Sogo at that time and enjoy watching the chickas crossing EDSA, knowing where they are going to work.

[quote=x man]
don't give kids change, you create an exponentially growing problem. if you must give them something, give them a snack you got at the convenience store. throw the snack in front of fast moving traffic.x[/quote]

sounds similar to the methods used by the brazilian police to eradicate their street kid problem. except in their case it’s speeding lead, rather than a fast moving car (which is difficult to find in urban manila, anyway):d.


[quote=x man]
and always wear plaid. it seems to incite those pale looking british folks, even though it scares away fil. criminals.x[/quote]

plaid as a bad guy deterrent. brilliant!! should have known – the scottish have been using it for this very purpose for centuries; it used to scare the hell out of the germans in the first world war. if all else fails and the crims invade your space, you could then continue the jockinese theme by trying a ‘glasgow kiss’;).

[url]http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=glasgow+kiss[/url]

on a recent trip to manila, i noticed the number of vendors and street touts who were persistient like never before. i left my makati prime towers and walked down burgos street past the "ringside" lady boxing bar midgets were featured that night and i am sorry mrs spamhog and i had to be on a plane or we wouldn't have missed it for the world.

just going to the 7/11 created a whole entorurage of characters trying to sell me viagra, swords, watches, sunglasses and x rated tapes. i didn't like at all how these jokers seemed to swarm and block my passage, even when i shouted in tagalog and visayan so they knew i was no tourista, took some maneuvering to get by, when i ducked into 7/11 i noticed the shark pack waited outside. i was careful to hand over only small bills to the cashier.

then it was outside again to run the gauntlet. any fool who got too frisky would have gotten a face full of 7/11 scalding coffee.

but my general strategy is to move fast, never stop and be aware of where they are. if cornered, i throw down my "polish bank roll" rep001tering small bills and while they scramble i do the heel and toe.

remember, you can pop into any building, most have a guard and the guard will not let those mope's inside. they will protect you and they will any group for a small fee, for all intents and purposes, they are the law on the premises and the sidewalk in front.

never had to do it but always have a plan.....


spamhog

[QUOTE=Mr Hawaii][QUOTE=Big Poppa II]I’ll be in Manila in a week and I’m confused about EDSA, looking at maps I see that EDSA is a street. I was told that I have to stay at the Shangri-La in EDSA. Then, I saw that EDSA is very popular in the forum so I was very happy. I am not sure as to where the places everyone talks about are, it seems to me that the EDSA complex is near the airport. Could someone clarify that please? I am interested in Firehouse and others in the vicinity.[/QUOTE]Yes EDSA is a "freeway" to use the term loosely because traffic never flows smoothly on it.

But you are looking for the EDSA entertainment complex. As mentioned it is very non-descript from the outside, but all of that does not matter because all you need to do is get in a taxi and say "take me to the EDSA entertainment complex" Every taxi knows where it is because it is very popular with foreigners.

Be prepared for the old standard "I don't know where it is, but I will take you to a better place." So the better way to do it is stick your head in the taxi before entering and ask if he knows how to get there. If he waivers even a little then slam the door and go to the next taxi.

Also, do not stay at a hotel in EDSA, only stay in Makati or Ermita! I assume you are going to Manila strictly for mongering? These are the best places for this.

This makes me not want to go. I booked my ticket already, but it sounds worse than Vietnam. I guess I should grab the first Girl and head straight to Boracay.

[quote=gamahucher]sounds similar to the methods used by the brazilian police to eradicate their street kid problem. except in their case it’s speeding lead, rather than a fast moving car (which is difficult to find in urban manila, anyway):d.

plaid as a bad guy deterrent. brilliant!! should have known – the scottish have been using it for this very purpose for centuries; it used to scare the hell out of the germans in the first world war. if all else fails and the crims invade your space, you could then continue the jockinese theme by trying a ‘glasgow kiss’;).

[url]http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=glasgow+kiss[/url][/quote]hmm where i come from , the act of planting ones head with high velocity onto the perps nose ( ostenisbly to cause heavy bleeding and breakage if possible ) is called a barnsley kiss!

guess we all have our own version of "the kiss "

I am the last one to disparage reasonable attempts at self preservation, but I think some of these posts are over-estimating the degree of danger. These are more than typically desperate times for the country, and people are consequently making stronger than usual attempts to survive. I think this is what accounts for the increased aggression on the part of the street hawkers. It's been my experience that these guys are not, for the most part, prone to violence, and I look at the hordes of vendors who engulf me every time I venture onto Burgos Street more as an inconvenience than a threat. The same goes for the touts, hustlers, beggars and vendors in Ermita; they're a pain in the ass, but they're not typically very dangerous.

I'm a lot more apprehensive on the silent streets of Zamboanga than I am on the human traffic-clogged sidewalks of Manila.

GE

I had one run in with beggars. Nothing serious I just tossed a couple cigarettes on the ground and that did the trick.

I'm going to invest in pepper spray next time I'm in country. I saw a vendor selling it at a booth in Mall of Asia. I could only imagine those poor dirty bumbs getting nailed by a steady stream of Pepper spray. Bet they wouldn't mess with a another monger for sometime after they had their eyes burned out of their skulls.

It's probably not a great idea to pepper spray a local, bumb or not. Unless there is some real danger of being physically harmed. Plus who wants to carry that crap in their pocket while mongering.

Unless you have an abnormally strong desire to risk deportation and a few nights in a local jail, I suggest that you suppress any thoughts of physically abusing the local population, particularly in a place like Burgos, which has a strong police presence. There's been a recent upsurge in the degree of resentment of foreigners, precipitated by the recent re-signing of the US-RP VFA, and since most foreigners are automatically assumed to be Americans, you might be risking more than the situation warrants.

GE

In response to GE's concerns, I want to say that my earlier post (quoted below) was mostly in jest. I've never had and serious problems in the Philippines other than a missing wallet, and I've never had any physical confrontation. (I'm not counting the lass who got a little to vigerous while on top and put my tool out of action for two days).

When alone at night on dark streets, I do walk quickly and confidently. I learned that in Detroit until they banished me (you reading Puerta ?).

In the past I've been surprised by non Filipinos who've told me it's a dangerous place, but have had no bad experiences. They claim its dangerous just because they see a run down neighborhood and people in rather worn clothes looking at them.

All I can say to that type of thinking is ...."boo".

X

[QUOTE=X Man]X Man's survival tactics.

Walk quick and with purpose, even if you're lost. Especially if you're lost.

Look dodgy people in the eye. Don't smile unless it is you've perfected Heath Ledger's Joker smile.

Don't give kids change, you create an exponentially growing problem. If you must give them something, give them a snack you got at the convenience store. Throw the snack in front of fast moving traffic.

If trapped in a potentially dangerous situation, start snorting, eyes rolling, spastic movements. You'll scare most people away. And the the meth freaks, they'll think you are one of their own. This also works on Tokyo trains. People will get up and move, you can lay down if you want. Anyway, back to MNL.

Don't shave -- looking scary is good. Don't wear jewelry. Don't walk around like a chickenshit.

And always wear plaid. It seems to incite those pale looking British folks, even though it scares away Fil. criminals.

X[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=Americanthief]This makes me not want to go. I booked my ticket already, but it sounds worse than Vietnam. I guess I should grab the first Girl and head straight to Boracay.[/QUOTE]

It depends on you. If you are a nervous nellie and not willing to deal with some crap then don't go, but you might be missing out on some great experiences.

[QUOTE=Gravel Kicker]I had one run in with beggars. Nothing serious I just tossed a couple cigarettes on the ground and that did the trick.

I'm going to invest in pepper spray next time I'm in country. I saw a vendor selling it at a booth in Mall of Asia. I could only imagine those poor dirty bumbs getting nailed by a steady stream of Pepper spray. Bet they wouldn't mess with a another monger for sometime after they had their eyes burned out of their skulls.

It's probably not a great idea to pepper spray a local, bumb or not. Unless there is some real danger of being physically harmed. Plus who wants to carry that crap in their pocket while mongering.[/QUOTE]

Nice one! You made your case, then talked yourself out of it. Good decision though.

[QUOTE=FreebieFan]Hmm where I come from , the act of planting ones head with high velocity onto the perps nose ( ostenisbly to cause heavy bleeding and breakage if possible ) is called a Barnsley kiss![/QUOTE]

Ee up by gum, lad, thas cum from t’god’s cuntry. (translation: Well, well Sir, you do originate from a fine part of UK).

[QUOTE=Gamahucher]Ee up by gum, lad, thas cum from t’god’s cuntry. (translation: Well, well Sir, you do originate from a fine part of UK).[/QUOTE]Theres only one reply I can make to that t'old lad... and its " appen!"

Americans, please note.. sorry but we're talking a totally foreign language that is vaguely based upon English.