Differences here in the Philippines

In my last entry, I wrote some things about the different “quirks” of life here in the Philippines and this post will add to that.

Something interesting I have noticed lately is that people do not come to your front door and knock if they need you.  They simply stand outside your front gate or in your front yard and yell your name.  It doesn’t matter if it’s the neighbor, the landlord, a delivery, a salesman, etc….  I haven’t had anybody knock on my door since I got here….and it’s not just because I am an American.  It’s the same everywhere.

As I was writing this, a “Tindero” (or Fruit Vendor) man just walking by carrying a huge basket on his shoulder, selling oranges and other assorted vegetables stood outside our gate (that easily opens) shouting something I cannot understand.  I went to check it out and bought a nice bag of oranges for a great price….(I think)….lol  I see about 4-5 people like this stop by daily selling all kinds of things.

A few days ago, I got my first bill from the Internet Company here; SmartBro.  There are no mailmen here…..so it’s delivered door-to-door by a guy on a bicycle.  He had a huge stack of bills in his basket and I simply sign a piece of paper that I received it.  To pay it, I can stop by numerous “outlets” or even most Banks will also accept the payments.

When you go to the malls here, there is armed security guards at the entrances to do a quick search of your bag and yourself as well.  It is separated by a Male/Female entry area.  Walking around the mall feels very “normal” and no different then the USA.  However, once you enter a store, particularly, the main department stores (somewhat like a Sears) there is an abundance of salespeople to help you.  Both male and female, with 99% of them being about 18-28 years old it seems.  Everyone is super young as the age “limit” for most girls is about 24-25…..unless you are a Manager, then the limit is about 35.  There will be someone to greet you when you walk in the door; usually another security guard. 

After that, you will see LOTS of salespeople there, all dressed exactly the same.  The men wear black shoes, black slacks and a white button up shirt, while the girls wear these very sexy, (in my opinion) short, simple blue dresses, with black heels.  All of the girls wear about 2 1/4 pounds more make up then they should.  Seriously.  The lipstick and blush is WAY overdone and it makes some of these naturally pretty and dark skinned girls look like white ghosts or like cheap prostitutes.  I have no idea why they put on SO much……but it looks really bad on almost all of them.  On a side note, when you flip through a Filipino Edition of Cosmo or FHM, etc….there is lots of advertisements for “whitening” creams, powders, lotions, etc., as many girls here want to be white like American women are.  Funny, since so many American girls spend so much money on tanning booths, oils, etc….

Anyway….as you pause to look at something, there will be a small swarm of salespeople to help you.  They are not pushy….but they will stand there and be “on the ready” at a moment’s notice if you need them.  So much different then the USA, where you can wander aimlessly looking at clothes, etc. and never be approached by a salesperson.  After you see something(s) you like and are holding them, a salesperson will likely take it from you and escort you to the cash register.  Now…..this is where it gets interesting.  At just one cash register, there may be 2-4 girls.  One will scan the item(s) while the other starts bagging them (There is no security devices on the clothing here).  Once your total is announced and you give your Credit Card to the girl, she will swipe it through 1-2 different devices and then will usually give you two receipts to sign.  She then has to enter your card # and some other info into her computer.  I swear it feels like 15 minutes everytime I am standing there at a register…..lol  Finally, she will print out a 3rd receipt.  This is then handed to the other girl where she will tape it to the outside of your bag.  Meanwhile, she has also tied your bag in numerous knots, so that no other merchandise can be added to your bag as you walk out the store….  It really is an interesting process the first few times you experience it…..and you better not be in a hurry.

Restaurants have a similar method.  When you walk in, you are taken to your table and sat down and provided with a menu.  All is normal so far….then it changes.  The waitress will stand back behind you and await your order.  Then, after you ask for your drinks or appetizers, she is usually still standing there!?!?  Once you place your ”real” order, she will leave.  I’m used to being left alone for 5-10 minutes, then placing an order for drinks and/or appetizers, then being left alone again for 5-10 minutes, then placing my actual order.

During the eating process, all is normal again, then when the bill comes, you are reminded that you are not in the USA.  The girl will bring the bill (usually only after you have asked for it) and will set it on the table in the usual ”book-pad”.  The girl will stay there and wait for your payment.  It feels very awkward, because maybe I am not yet done chatting with my dinner company, or still nibbling on some food, etc.  So, I feel rushed to get my wallet out and look at the bill and give her my card or the cash.  Then, it happens again when she brings back your credit card receipt!  She will put the book-pad on the table and wait for you to sign it and fill out the tip, etc…before she will leave.  I should be grateful that it is actually such an efficient and fast process compared to America, where it takes some time for you to get the bill, pay it, get your receipt or change and leave.  Here it all happens very quickly…..just make sure you are TRULY ready to leave once you ask for the bill, otherwise it feels like the waitress is hovering over you the whole time. 

That’s it for now! 

JOHN

This entry was posted on December 3. 2009 at 08:22 and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.