Survival Skills in The Philippines

[PaulB]

Hi all Fonts of Knowledge,

I was sat back thinking about what I believe are the main points to surviving as an Expat in the Philippines and have drawn up the list below. I don't mean never walk close to shop doorways, How to start a business, what to look out for when buying land etc. but I mean attitude and mindset.

What would you add?

• Love the Girl and not the Place! I fell in love with my Wife in Abu Dhabi and not in The Philippines before we decided to settle.
• Gain respect and Loyalty from your Asawa's Family. I don't mean pay them I mean, eat, live, sleep like them and never look down on them.
• Never flaunt your wealth.
• If you can, employee some family. They never ask me for money.
• Treat everyone with respect, from a street kid, to a Congressman.
• Don't get involved in local politics.
• Keep your opinion to yourself.
• Abide by The Philippines Laws. You will ALWAYS be a visitor. Maybe you will be there 20 years but always a Visitor.
• Invest and put your roots down where you feel safe and supported by others. You may be fit today but nobody can tell tomorrow.
• Have a Plan B. Just in case.
• Don't try and change the Philippines. You change to fit in.
• Keep up to date with local news. Be one step ahead just in case.
• Never live above your means to keep up with the Jones. Be yourself.
• Remind yourself, everyday, why you are in The Philippines and not your home country.
• Be grateful to be allowed to live in The Philippines. If not then Leave.
• Adapt to Philippine time and Processes. Count to 10. Be patient and don't compare to your home country. If so. Go Home!
• Get insured and insure your Asawa. You will sleep better!
• Spend your time productively and not staring into a bottle. You can do that back home!
• Drive as if everything wants to kill you.
• Keep your wits about you and be street smart. Never make a Filipino lose face.
• Visit your local Captain and say hello. Treat him or her to a coffee.
• Visit your local Police Station and maybe take them some food.
• Don't miss things you don't have or can't get. Embrace those you can.
• Remember your not on the Moon so stay in touch with people.
• Join the Best Forum you can. This one!
• Treat everyone as you would wish to be treated. No matter how high up you may feel you may pass the same people on the way down
• The Most important. Enjoy LIFE in the Philippines.

Thats the points I have. Anyone else have a nugget of wisdom or ten?

I look forward to hearing from you.

 

Paul

[JJReyes]

15 minutes ago, PaulB said:

Never flaunt your wealth.

If you are a foreigner, the assumption is you are wealthy.

15 minutes ago, PaulB said:

Don't miss things you don't have or can't get. Embrace those you can.

15 minutes ago, PaulB said:

If you can, employee some family. They never ask me for money.

They never ask for money, but expect to get paid. 

15 minutes ago, PaulB said:

Don't get involved in local politics.

Excellent advise.

15 minutes ago, PaulB said:

Drive as if everything wants to kill you.

Don't drive. You will never win the argument if involved in an accident.

15 minutes ago, PaulB said:

Don't miss things you don't have or can't get. Embrace those you can.

You can get all kinds of things from home. The only question is price.

Edited May 2, 2018 by JJReyes

[ElevenSeries]

Having never been there, but soon to be there, This is some pretty solid advice.

[Gerald Glatt]

The hardest for me is Filipino time.......should be easy cause it's not me that's late..still hard to get through my Kano head.

[Ram1957]

Situation Awareness, know what is happening around you at all times.

 

[scott h]

7 hours ago, PaulB said:

Anyone else have a nugget of wisdom or ten?

Learn to be komfortable in your own skin. 

[Snowy79]

Never believe the first answer. When you ask a local a question, rather than admit they don't know they will tell you what they think you want to hear. 

[Old55]

39 minutes ago, Snowy79 said:

Never believe the first answer. When you ask a local a question, rather than admit they don't know they will tell you what they think you want to hear. 

And don't believe everything you read in forums....... Except our's 

[Mike J]

8 hours ago, PaulB said:

Gain respect and Loyalty from your Asawa's Family. I don't mean pay them I mean, eat, live, sleep like them

Mmmm, now that we have built Papa and Mama a new house we do have a bedroom there.  Before, no way!  You do not need to live like the family to be respectful.  My opinion of course, and I wonder if your asawa's family may have been more affluent than ours.

[BrettGC]

 

9 hours ago, ElevenSeries said:

Treat everyone as you would wish to be treated. No matter how high up you may feel you may pass the same people on the way down

No one is immune to gravity, 2008 proved this.