Repatriation: Yes, you can go home again!

[RBM]

Very interesting topic here. I have just returned from a 2 month stint in NZ. Although summer I was suffering from the weather especially  the south island wind. For this reason plus the ridiculously high prices was reason enough to banish any thoughts of returning on a more permanent basis.

As the OP mentioned I like all suffer from some of the nuances here, especially the dogs whom are excessively noisy in our street. How ever weighing this up against shorts and slippers all year round is more than enough to keep me here. This apart from the many other attributes mentioned.

A common complaint here is about food and noise. The first can be an issue if ones partner is not fond of cooking, my case is she loves cooking and experimenting with different dishes, many exotic so guess I am fortunate. Plus we  eat outside on terrace, something  I was unable to do in NZ.

Noise, we'll it's part of the culture, we must tolerate,  one must also exercise great due diligence here before putting down roots. Most subdivisions will not tolerate excessive noise after 10pm, apart from dogs as I can attest to.

If one lives below the radar, to speak one should not run into problems, again our partners should attend to any burocracy. Apart from one occasion with an impossible jealous wealthy woman I have not had issues after 7 plus years.

I am happy the OP has so far found what he requires and trust this continues,  each to his own.

[Arizona Kid]

12 hours ago, RubberChicken said:

Philippines sucks I left. Philippines is paradise I want to die here. Philippines in the middle. All part of a moving continuum. Gives the forum personality.

Huh?

[Arizona Kid]

On 2/9/2019 at 1:00 PM, JDDavao said:

"Wherever you go, there you are."

I say that to my son once in a while. He gets it. 

[Arizona Kid]

1 hour ago, RBM said:

Very interesting topic here. I have just returned from a 2 month stint in NZ. Although summer I was suffering from the weather especially  the south island wind. For this reason plus the ridiculously high prices was reason enough to banish any thoughts of returning on a more permanent basis.

As the OP mentioned I like all suffer from some of the nuances here, especially the dogs whom are excessively noisy in our street. How ever weighing this up against shorts and slippers all year round is more than enough to keep me here. This apart from the many other attributes mentioned.

A common complaint here is about food and noise. The first can be an issue if ones partner is not fond of cooking, my case is she loves cooking and experimenting with different dishes, many exotic so guess I am fortunate. Plus we  eat outside on terrace, something  I was unable to do in NZ.

Noise, we'll it's part of the culture, we must tolerate,  one must also exercise great due diligence here before putting down roots. Most subdivisions will not tolerate excessive noise after 10pm, apart from dogs as I can attest to.

If one lives below the radar, to speak one should not run into problems, again our partners should attend to any burocracy. Apart from one occasion with an impossible jealous wealthy woman I have not had issues after 7 plus years.

I am happy the OP has so far found what he requires and trust this continues,  each to his own.

I moved here at age 50 to get out of the rat race. As a service manager with 26 employees, an 8 hour work day would have been a blessing. Rattled out of sleep by the alarm clock at 5 am. and getting back home by maybe 6 pm. or later was just getting to be too much. Not to mention once in a while having to help with the night crew. No way could I retire in the US. on my military pension. Moved to the Philippines in 2002, and sure, everything wasn't great at first but after I started going with the flow and not expecting everything to be perfect, it grew on me. 

Lived like a Prince on my military retirement pay and then started living like a King when I started getting Social Security! An average King though. Not a rich one. 

[nor cal mike]

9 hours ago, Jake said:

Triple LIKE Clermont!  

Do you ever think that they may be #1?

[nor cal mike]

16 hours ago, Clermont said:

I'll explain a little more on my post as the topic keeps creeping into posts, age gap. I believe this has got a lot to do with why expats can't accept the culture and brand the PI's as they do. It is the expats upbringing, an being able to accept that older men date younger women in Asian countries more so than in their own countries. Then all the little things start adding up, it's not the service, nor the traffic problems, of course they contribute but in the end the PI's are branded as a sex haven with no morals.

This time over I was going through a bit of drama about an older man grooming a younger Filipino lass that was staying at our house. I was furious but you know what, all it did was make me sick and buggard up my six weeks holidays. Another thing, it is in their culture, sex is not a nasty word to them, it is how a lot of them live, their is no love in it for them, just a means of supporting themselves. I was given a lot of advise, and each person said it was none of my business, and you know what, it wasn't.

Now I've gotten over the culture shock and thought back on the advice I was given, when I see an older man with a very young women, I just smile and think to myself, what number are you this year.

 

Early in this thread I said I would not opine but instead simply read the comments and opinions of those more directly involved in this issue. However since the conversation has migrated into a morality discussion I feel as though my input is appropriate.

First, I have never heard of the PI. being referred to as an "immoral sex haven". Are there sex workers? Of course there are, but there are sex workers in every country. I would bet there are even sex workers in your home country. This sounds more like "titty bar" chatter than a brand that is somehow attached to the PI.

Second, are there very poor people in the PI. Who are sexually exploited by foreigners and locals? Yes, but I would submit these numbers are low precisely BECAUSE of HIGH morality. Poor does not equal immoral. I believe sex work is a choice made freely by MOST involved. Being poor and taking care of the family in most cases is simply rationalizing their choice of life style. Once again I know of many poor ladies who toiled as helpers, ofws or at whatever work was available and never even considered the sex trade. The morality question in my mind goes to those who visit the PI. With the intent to exploit the poor and vulnerable.

Thirdly, I want to address your final comment. I know a large number of Phil-am relationships with big age gaps that are very successful over many years. For you to suggest that the thousands of ladies in relationships with older partners are secretly harboring bad intentions and immoral thoughts is absolutely absurd. It's clear to me that you and I see an entirely different PI.

 

While we may disagree, I'm happy to read your thoughts and I sincerely hope that in time you will get to see the PI. I'm familiar with so you can see and appreciate ALL it has to offer.

Respectfully,

Mike

[Tukaram (Tim)]

3 hours ago, nor cal mike said:

I would submit these numbers are low precisely BECAUSE of HIGH morality. Poor does not equal immoral. I believe sex work is a choice made freely by MOST involved. Being poor and taking care of the family in most cases is simply rationalizing their choice of life style. Once again I know of many poor ladies who toiled as helpers, ofws or at whatever work was available and never even considered the sex trade.

This is something I have said for a while.  Some guys say that all girls over here want to take a tumble for a few bucks and that is simply not true.  Yes, there are hookers here, as there are in any country.  Yes, there is poverty here, more than in many countries.  But with 100 million people here - very few choose that lifestyle. The percentage is extremely low. You have a few touristy spots that attract them, and there is always going to be some students looking to supplement their college money. Overall they are not that common.  Easy to find... but certainly not the norm. 

[Mark Berkowitz]

(Back on Topic) With My Final Thoughts:

I gave up a very comfortable Expat life in the Phils, considering that I had a brand new car and nice apartment (with Aircon, Ref, Hot Water, large screen TV, Internet, and Cable). 

Leaving that settled life was not an easy choice for me to make, and I don’t recommend it for every Expat in the Phils.  If truth be told, I struggled with making a decision to leave the Phils.  If it was not for the future of my 2 year old son, step-daughter, and wife, I would have gladly stayed and rolled with all of the punches. 

However, now that I have left, I am happy that I made the move, and I am grateful to this forum for all of your advice and for all of your good wishes with my move away from the Phils.

[CoffeeRulzMe]

On 2/10/2019 at 10:11 AM, OnMyWay said:

Maybe I am not understanding, but I thought the main reason for "stink eye" would be the age gap, not race.  Especially in the U.S.. 

I agree. These days, many in the USA get triggered when they see large age-gap, especially if the man is the older one. Could be the stink-eye from strangers on the street, or reading about it in various forums, etc. I ran into hassles years before coming here. Dated a woman 21 years my junior (same race, she was an adult of course). Even caused some political unrest at work (company picnic). Some people just can't resist being d#ckheads. Eventually, we went our separate ways, but not due to age gap.

 

Edited February 11, 2019 by CoffeeRulzMe

[Jake]

1 minute ago, Mark Berkowitz said:

(Back on Topic) With My Final Thoughts:

However, now that I have left, I am happy that I made the move, and I am grateful to this forum for all of your advice and for all of your good wishes with my move away from the Phils.

You sir, are a true Texas gentleman.  We appreciate your candor about making hard decisions for your family.  Please stay onboard and say hello from time to time.  We would like to follow your "re-adjustment" back to good ole' USA.  

Respectfully Jake