What it's like to be famous

[davewe]

Coming on 5 months in the Philippines and I've had a few of these incidents but today was crazy. Wife and I left the house and walked to the main road. Saw a couple kids and an adult; my wife translated the conversation she heard. "Those are the people who gave us the ice candies when we were caroling!" they said. Janet made ice candies for the kids and they were clearly a big hit.

An hour later, near Hypermart, we ran into a neighbor. Now the truth is we haven't spent a lot of time and energy getting to know too many neighbors but this one we do know a little bit and Janet began to talk with her. She knew we were gone for a few days over Xmas, maybe because she didn't see the car. My sense is she is acutely aware of what everyone on the block does.

Next we went shopping in Hypermart. We were carless today (another story) and went with our groceries to grab a trike home. Janet is explaining to the trike driver where we live. In between the Visayan I hear the driver say "blue car." "The guy knows our car!" I exclaim. "Geez we really are famous!"

I lived in my last house in the US for 11 years and I could have told you the names of no more than 3 or 4 people on my block. I'm sure most of them didn't know my name - nor care. But here, for good or bad, the place is like Cheers - where everyone knows your name - and your business.

Edited December 29, 2017 by davewe

[OnMyWay]

One nice thing about our daughter starting pre-school is that my wife and I have gotten meet some of the parents who live in our area.

The first day or two my wife chatted to another mom who lives in our neighborhood, and she knew all about us, even though she lives about a mile away, halfway between our old house and our new house!  She knew our old house and our new house.  She knew that we just got a second car.  She knew what are kids looked like.  A bit scary but my wife likes her.  Married to an Aussie and they also have a pre-school daughter.

[Tukaram (Tim)]

Everyone knows us here.  An expat was looking for my house, and with just a bad xerox of a picture (Rotary club bulletin)... the sikad drivers told right where to find me.  Glad he was not mad at me ha ha.  There is no privacy, and my wife does not understand my need for it... 

[Kuya John]

As a person who doesn't use fb.....our friends can tell how much my wife is enjoying her vacation!

Being famous has it's pit fall's, I'll be content just to be kuya John

Edited December 29, 2017 by Kuya John
Word blindness hehehe

[JJReyes]

If you have helpers at home, the whole neighborhood knows everything about you including the type of underwear you wear. I recall one incident when the people next door knew how much I paid for airline tickets to Hong Kong. Tracing back the information source, it turned out to be the driver who had gone to the travel agency to pick-up the tickets. He had opened the envelope for a peek.

Use this network to get to know the neighbors by asking your(s) for the latest gossip.

My wife hated it, but I prefer to look at the positive side. If a stranger knocked on our door, he would be observed or even accosted. Something like the Neighborhood Watch organized in the United States.

 

[BrettGC]

Some of you may remember about 5 years ago when I was visiting my ex in Angeles, I fixed a few of the neighbours toilets.  Word got around the Subd. pretty quickly.  It's heart warming to know that I became known as shitter boy 

[bows00]

Bottom line here is that expats tend to draw attention in the Philippines.  And the examples noted thus far are relatively positive, and I hate to be the "Debbie Downer", but there must obviously be some things that are not as beneficial when you are recognized out of the crowd.

For example, if they eventually find out your financial status, how safe would it be for your kids?  Kidnappings can happen at anytime there.  Desperate people take desperate actions.  

I guess I am a "Debbie Downer"... 

[Old55]

7 minutes ago, bows00 said:

Bottom line here is that expats tend to draw attention in the Philippines.  And the examples noted thus far are relatively positive, and I hate to be the "Debbie Downer", but there must obviously be some things that are not as beneficial when you are recognized out of the crowd.

For example, if they eventually find out your financial status, how safe would it be for your kids?  Kidnappings can happen at anytime there.  Desperate people take desperate actions.  

I guess I am a "Debbie Downer"... 

No, not negitive it is something to be aware of. Family members or even a significant other can share too much. Best to be known as that nice poor expat.

[Kuya John]

9 hours ago, BrettGC said:

It's heart warming to know that I became known as shitter boy 

I have often wondered... What if you won the lottery....... how would you keep it quiet!

News travels fast, imagine all the begging letters, not to mention long lost relatives....no, I rather be known as  shitter boy

Edited December 30, 2017 by Kuya John

[hk blues]

From time to time we get mail and deliveries for the only other British ex-pat here, and vice-versa. Clearly, the delivery people ask the security gate and they occasionaly get us mixed up. Frustrating, as they only need to go by the address on the document!