Asia's Ugly Duckling of the Year Is the Philippine Peso

[Happyhorn52]

The Bloomberg estimate of 52.50 by the end of the year is what caught my eye. It's useful information for anyone contemplating making a large purchase like for a car or a condo.

[mogo51]

7 hours ago, Gator said:

More then likely the same way China does it = currency manipulation.

Good luck with the move!

Probably Gator, I know they were buying currency when the Red Shirt Government (Thaksin) was in power, but now they are cash strapped so don't know where they are getting the money from?

[Dave Hounddriver]

On 3/13/2017 at 10:36 AM, scott h said:

As long as my dollar goes further, I don't care.

There are pros and cons to this attitude.  Pros:  My Canadian dollar has slipped in value and it really doesn't matter to me what your American dollar is worth so if its working for you then I say good for you, enjoy.  Cons:  When the US dollar is so high then some (many) Americans treat pesos like peanuts.  I have a good friend who goes in for a 40 peso haircut and gives the barber 100 pesos.  Why?  He says because its just peanuts so why not make him feel good and give him a big tip.  Well the downside is that all your foreign friends who's currency is not so highly valued are judged by that same barber as cheap pricks.  So who are your friends here?  The locals that are smiling at you when you throw extra cash at them to make yourself (you in the general sense not you Scott) feel good or the other foreigners who are just getting by and did not get that windfall exchange rate.  If you say its the barber who's gonna help you out when you get in trouble then give him that big tip.  If its your Canadian buddy who's buck is tight then why not buy him a coffee with that money you were gonna tip the barber?  Just my thought for the day 

[jpbago]

22 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

 When the US dollar is so high then some (many) Americans treat pesos like peanuts.  I have a good friend who goes in for a 40 peso haircut and gives the barber 100 pesos.

It has gotten so bad now that I don't even go for a haircut.

[Dave Hounddriver]

On 3/14/2017 at 11:43 AM, Dave Hounddriver said:

why not make him feel good and give him a big tip.

OK, my bad.  I did something similar when I was intoxicated a couple nights back.  I was sitting with a friend having beers when this lady of the evening came by and offered her "services" for a fee.  I asked how old she was and she said 18 (big surprise).  So I asked her why she wants to come home with an old bugger like me and she said "I gotta eat" so I gave a 200 peso tip and told her she don't have to **** me to eat and to take her gf that was with her and go get something to eat. I don't usually go around handing out money like that but a little beer and a soft heart and I totally understand why some people give big tips.  Of course I'm sure the girl thought I was an idiot and I bet my companion thought the same but I'll leave that to him to explain if he wants to chime in here. (Yes he is a member but shall remain nameless unless he chooses to admit.)

[jpbago]

8 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

 Of course I'm sure the girl thought I was an idiot and I bet my companion thought the same

Maybe your companion waited until they ate and then got a good deal.

[Dave Hounddriver]

56 minutes ago, jpbago said:

Maybe your companion waited until they ate and then got a good deal.

Ya know, its entirely possible and I would not blame him.  I was only mentioning the story to show how soft hearts and beer bellies tend to make a guy leave bigger tips than he should here in Philippines.

[Reboot]

4 hours ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

Ya know, its entirely possible and I would not blame him.  I was only mentioning the story to show how soft hearts and beer bellies tend to make a guy leave bigger tips than he should here in Philippines.

I try to leave tips but my Filipina mostly stuffs it right back in my pocket!

[Reboot]

5 hours ago, jpbago said:

Maybe your companion waited until they ate and then got a good deal.