Power and Freedom Brings Out Who We Really Are

[Eddie1]

17 hours ago, bows00 said:

Once an expat moves to the Philippines, they have an instant advantage in this country - and I am referring to our spending power.  And with that boost in power, brings a sense of instant freedom - the freedom to be who we really are.  And this condition just amplifies our core values and true nature.  For example, if you are a generous expat, you enjoy giving a 20% tip to a hard working filipino to make their day.  If you are happy, you smile more and spread that happiness even more here.  

Unfortunately, there is an opposite affect.  I have witnessed several miserable expats spreading their demise all around.  

Don't really know where I am going with this thread - just something I observed...  

My advice is to change the 20% tip to a 20 peso tip.  Tipping big might give you a feel good factor at the time but in reality it causes more problems for the expat community.

[bows00]

4 hours ago, Eddie1 said:

My advice is to change the 20% tip to a 20 peso tip.  Tipping big might give you a feel good factor at the time but in reality it causes more problems for the expat community.

My intent was not to make this another thread about tipping - there are separate threads about that.  i was trying the convey how the spending power, which leads to a sense of freedom brings out the best and worst in expats.  

But what I did not consider were the expats that didn't have any money to begin with... dunno, maybe there is no correlation here...

[Dave Hounddriver]

9 minutes ago, bows00 said:

 i was trying the convey how the spending power, which leads to a sense of freedom brings out the best and worst in expats.  

True that.

[davewe]

True power and freedom is the ability to adjust to whatever environment you are in. 

[Gary D]

46 minutes ago, davewe said:

True power and freedom is the ability to adjust to whatever environment you are in. 

No true power and freedom is to be able to change whatever environment your in to suit you.

[bows00]

3 hours ago, Gary D said:

No true power and freedom is to be able to change whatever environment your in to suit you

yeah, this is what I am trying to say.... I see it all the time where expats try to twist situations to their western expectations instead of going with the flow of the culture here.  Unfortunately, power and freedom, if used selfishly, can be quite disrespectful.  

 

[bows00]

12 hours ago, hk blues said:

In any country, including our own, people throwing money around can become unpopular very quickly - and poor!

I don't want to be too elementary, but isn't that a basic rule of money?  Regardless of where you are?  Throwing money around without any thought would always result in despair... no matter what your situation. 

[Dave Hounddriver]

8 hours ago, Gary D said:

No true power and freedom is to be able to change whatever environment your in to suit you.

We seem to have divided opinions on this.  I accept there is some validity in what you say but my thoughts are more in line with:

9 hours ago, davewe said:

True power and freedom is the ability to adjust to whatever environment you are in. 

I am thinking of the pioneers of old.  They did not settle somewhere and try to make their new environment to suit themselves.  They compromised to adapt and overcome obstacles so they could get along with everyone and still survive to freely pursue happiness. IMHO that gave them the feeling of power and freedom.

Again, its only my opinion, but I believe power and freedom are only feelings.  They are not tangible absolutes so it is impractical to talk about "True Power" or "True Freedom".  At any moment in time there is someone with more power who can come and take your feeling of power and freedom away.  

[jrlee183]

10 hours ago, davewe said:

True power and freedom is the ability to adjust to whatever environment you are in. 

Completely agree, however I would go one step further and say that power and freedom lies in the ability to transfer that power to help others that need it and empower them to strive for the same.  I suppose we could call that charity but I there is a bit more to it in my opinion.

 

 

[Jack Peterson]

4 minutes ago, jrlee183 said:

I would go one step further and say that power and freedom lies in the ability to transfer that power to help others that need it and empower them to strive for the same. 

 Totally agree, members may remember that I had Planned to Concrete a 30 meter part of the road outside our house to get rid of the Mud that made it a dangerous piece of Road, However i was not allowed to do this as the boundary of the road could not at this time be exactly determined, We did however lay Hard core 10 Cubic (thats 3+ Lorry loads) that has worked and all were happy, Now other neighbours have put together and with another 6 cubic from us to continue up the road and make it as safe and passible as we can. The Barangay have also Donated 6 cubic so that has pleased me. Yes! if we can show that our "Power" can be turned into the good of all then I for one am very Happy 

 

 Jack

 Morning All