Manila

[QUOTE=D Cups]Hi Guys, I am re-posting this.

What is the closest (walking distance) and reasonably-priced (~$50 USD) hotel near Havana, please?

I used to stay at Executive Plaza in Malate for LA Cafe but now that LAC is closed I have to conduct my interviews somewhere else hehehehe.

Much obliged and happy horndogging![/QUOTE]Check BSA mansion - just across Greenbelt.

[QUOTE=D Cups]Hi Guys, I am re-posting this.

What is the closest (walking distance) and reasonably-priced (~$50 USD) hotel near Havana, please?

I used to stay at Executive Plaza in Malate for LA Cafe but now that LAC is closed I have to conduct my interviews somewhere else hehehehe.

Much obliged and happy horndogging![/QUOTE]There are several places right down Adriatico, walking from Havana to Robinsons, right on Adriatico. In the area also is Tropicana Apartments, City-State, Lotus Garden, and City Garden. All $45-$60.

[QUOTE=Hesekiels]
The only thing one can do in such situations is giving him or her (!) a smile while saying "no thanks, I'm fine", or "it's not my first time in the Philippines so I know this trick". And particularly no further conversation with these jerks! For me that worked out quite nicely! [/QUOTE]
This is excellent advice. I only want to add these additional points.

First, know in your mind that there is never anything these shills have to offer that is of any interest or worth your time investigating. To them you are a fish and they are trying to catch you in their net. Swim around the net. Never stop and get involved.

Second, you are not there to make friends with street hustlers. Never yell or lose you cool with them. Maintain your dignity and place in society. As a foreign tourist, you are millions of miles above them. (Is that politically incorrect? Tough.) Try to ignore them, but when accosted by these buggers follow Hesekiels advice and politely say "no thanks” and just walk on. If they persist and follow you, turn on them and firmly say "don't bother me “and then continue to walk away.

That should do it unless you are someplace you should not be. Which brings me to my third piece of advice; stay alert and always be aware of your surroundings.

[QUOTE=Irony Monger]Looks a lot like the guy who scammed me at Glorietta Mall a few weeks back, though I think his hair was shorter and he was wearing an orange shirt that looked similar to what the staff at my hotel was wearing.

I say we all pitch in and get the guy some more five fingered dental work.[/QUOTE]The SOB certainly needs to be taught a permanent lesson.

Speaking of scams (and I realize this belongs in the Ukrainian thread but I'm too lazy to post there...) there are many scammers posting on East European dating websites whose pictures are of drop-dead gorgeous young beauties who will correspond and send you sexy photos in some cases for months before they hit you up for money for translation services or even visa. These scammers are very clever. I was fooled for a while but then saw the same picture and letter on romancescam.com before any damage was done. They prey on lonely older guys who want a trophy wife on their arm. Beware!

Stick to face-to-face (or dick-to-face ;) in Asia or South America!

On my many visits to Manila and other cities in Philippines I have encountered all sorts of tactic how these guys try to earn something or just anything to feed their family. There is hardly anything they can do. There are just too many people looking for what little job is available. All these people we meet are desperate. They know that any foreigner is any time better off than them. They all expect a bit of handouts. Normally they don't rob you outright but in a round about manner so to speak. Bear in mind many of them are religious despite their hopeless situation. For example as you come out of your hotel a few people try you offer all sort of helps. Some will give you directions to the restaurant and accompany you up to the door, others try to wave a taxi for you, while others try to show the way to the bars. They expect some tips in the end. Just wave them away with polite thank you and walk faster. They will just drop off.

You will also note that while you are in the expensive bars such as Asian Entertainment, there will be guys trying to massage you while you are having drinks or even in the toilet expecting some tips. If you pity them just give them something. They are all desperate to feed their family. If you go to the bus terminal there are people who try to help you enter the bus and carry your luggage, also expecting tips. When will these scam of sort end? Probably when this country is economically better, but then you will not be able to get cheap pussy anymore as the girls will also have other jobs available. Enjoy while you can and be street at the same time.

[QUOTE=Bundanko]... If you go to the bus terminal there are people who try to help you enter the bus and carry your luggage, also expecting tips. When will these scam of sort end? ...[/QUOTE]

Bundanko:

Indeed a good question!

Firstly, I would say that 'carrying our luggage' is a service that certainly deserves a tip!

Secondly, if somebody stops us a taxi - although we have told him 'nope man, I will do it myself' - I tend to doubt that tipping is really a must here.

Thirdly, if somebody just tells us the direction to the place we want to go, then IMHO a smile plus words like 'many thanks for your help' should be good enough!

Or am I grossly mistaken, gentlemen? Your opinions?

Cheers!


Hesekiels

[QUOTE=Bundanko]On my many visits to Manila and other cities in Philippines I have encountered all sorts of tactic how these guys try to earn something or just anything to feed their family. There is hardly anything they can do. There are just too many people looking for what little job is available. All these people we meet are desperate. They know that any foreigner is any time better off than them. They all expect a bit of handouts. Normally they don't rob you outright but in a round about manner so to speak. Bear in mind many of them are religious despite their hopeless situation. For example as you come out of your hotel a few people try you offer all sort of helps. Some will give you directions to the restaurant and accompany you up to the door, others try to wave a taxi for you, while others try to show the way to the bars. They expect some tips in the end. Just wave them away with polite thank you and walk faster. They will just drop off.

You will also note that while you are in the expensive bars such as Asian Entertainment, there will be guys trying to massage you while you are having drinks or even in the toilet expecting some tips. If you pity them just give them something. They are all desperate to feed their family. If you go to the bus terminal there are people who try to help you enter the bus and carry your luggage, also expecting tips. When will these scam of sort end? Probably when this country is economically better, but then you will not be able to get cheap pussy anymore as the girls will also have other jobs available. Enjoy while you can and be street at the same time.[/QUOTE]
It is not only in poor countries people are looking for money. Have you gone to any casinoes in las vegas etc? Starting from house keeping to the door man is definitely looking for tips. In new york city everybody is looking for tips. Try getting a room boy help you to get a girl. Ofcourse he is looking for a tip. Not counting bartenders, waitresses and some guys on the street.
Many asian countries do not have tipping culture. Locals generally never tip and even if they do maybe 2%. So it is no wonder when locals see foreigners they see it as people who have money because of the strenghth of the dollar, pound, Yen etc. We tend to give tips because our currency goes a long way there.
Having said this it is not a good idea to give money to scammers who offer girls, want to take you to casas, try to sell you fake products. This will only encourage them to scam more.
But tipping, helping street kids, being generous is acceptable to help the poor people.

Back in Manila now. Too much fun, must do it again soon. Flight leaves Wednesday night. Looking for my last shindig, might hit up Greenbelt 3 and chill at the Starbucks, seems like when Havana is busy, Starbucks is the place to be.

Saw an older Gent. Get turned down BIG the last time I was at Havana. He tried to make eye contact with a little sweetie, his hands started waving trying to tell her lets go back to my room. She gave him the dirtiest look and turned her chair away. 15 minutes later, she is me in the Taxi heading to a wild adventure.

[QUOTE=Sammon]Many asian countries do not have tipping culture. Locals generally never tip and even if they do maybe 2%. So it is no wonder when locals see foreigners they see it as people who have money because of the strenghth of the dollar, pound, Yen etc. We tend to give tips because our currency goes a long way there.[/QUOTE]I know I will get burnt for saying this, but come on - a few peso is not going to hurt, especially when you have travelled a few thousand kilometers .. :D :D

I limit my tips to max 50 peso .. if anybody wants more than that - too bad .. "WALANG PERA .. " even if some dare to call me kuripot ..

[QUOTE=Westcoast1]There are several places right down Adriatico, walking from Havana to Robinsons, right on Adriatico. In the area also is Tropicana Apartments, City-State, Lotus Garden, and City Garden. All $45-$60.[/QUOTE]That would be Havana in Malate, not Havana in Greenbelt.

[QUOTE=Westcoast1]There are several places right down Adriatico, walking from Havana to Robinsons, right on Adriatico. In the area also is Tropicana Apartments, City-State, Lotus Garden, and City Garden. All $45-$60.[/QUOTE]

I'm pretty sure as Denom has mentioned, that DCups is referring to Havana in Makati, not near Adriatico. DCups, if we are correct and you mean Havana at Greenbelt 3, then you are referring to Makati area and you can read more in the Makati thread. I'm not sure why you are insisting on walking from your hotel. You can actually still stay at Executive and taxi back and forth if you want to but it can take some time and will run about 100-150 pesos each way. There are hotels nearby but the prices are probably considerably higher than Executive. You may want to consider staying in Burgos area 50-70 pesos taxi ride each way to Greenbelt. I recommend you read the Makati thread and hotel thread for more info.

drinks / food bill at havana is expensive i agree. try the tequila sunset. its my fave. but the girls are not expensive. the most i've tipped is 2k for lt. the minimum was 1k. and i only go for the hottest. it generally takes me over an hour to find someone decent enough on a fri/sat nite, rest of the nights don't bother. very slim pickings. mainly older slightly worn out types.

key is to chat to as many peeps as possible outside at the tables especially. even ugly chicks have nice looking friends. its happened countless times to me in havana. you see the same chick the following night, but this time with a bunch of hotties in tow. and hey presto. its on. like donkey kong.

i couldn't stand la cafe by the way.

Ok, I have read the forum, but outside of the L.A. Cafe "Shut Down" there seems there is nothing of interest in this area. I have seen a few references to Amazonia..but nothing really good about. So what is there to do in Ermita or Malate?

[QUOTE=Rodmanj]Ok, I have read the forum, but outside of the L.A. Cafe "Shut Down" there seems there is nothing of interest in this area. I have seen a few references to Amazonia..but nothing really good about. So what is there to do in Ermita or Malate?[/QUOTE]

Nope. Nothing good there. Stay away. You must not like to work very hard.

[QUOTE=Puerto La Cruz]Nope. Nothing good there. Stay away. You must not like to work very hard.[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the information Pueto La Cruz, but I didn't quite understand your response. If there is nothing there say there is nothing there or suggest some other venues in the area. As far as "You must not like to work very hard" I didn't quite get that either, I am only staying in Manila one night before moving on to AC so anything that you could recommend would be appreciated.