Commendable local behavior

[Viking]

We often complain about things we don't like here so I thought this topic could focus on the positive surprises we have had here.

I start with my experience in the local market last week. I bought some bananas, and was told they cost 98 p. I gave the lady 100 p, I didn't wait for the change before I turned to another vendor who sold mango. When I was about to leave the banana-lady stood behind me. Your change sir, and she gave me 902 pesos!!!

It took a few seconds before I understood what had happened. In some way I had given her a 1000 p bill instead of a 100! 

Honesty like this always make me happy. I tried to give her 200p to show my appreciation but she refused to accept it.

 

Another example happened today when I was giving our workers the salary for this week. I rounded up the figures so it was an even number. They looked very confused and I first thought maybe I had given them too little. But they said it was too much. When I told them it's okay they both dig up change from their pockets!

Things like this don't happen every day but that makes the feeling even better when it do happen!

Looking forward to hear your stories.

[Freebie]

In the irritating local behaviour I told how security guards were having a power trip in trying to prevent my TV repair guy from accessing my property.

He came once and advised it needed repairing.. I paid hsi call out charge. . Duh. ..Second time he changed all backlights and it was working when he left. I paid for new backlights  A day later it stopped. He came for third time, and it was working well. He spent two hours going through everything he knew to fix ( change capacitors etc ) When he left I asked how much. He said nothing. He said he thought he had fixed it after second effort so he was embarrassed he hadn't fixed it properly.  I insisted he take something as he had spent so much time. He said " OK I take P 200 ". One of the good guys.

[Gator]

A few years ago in Cebu I was involved in a very minor hit n run motorbike crash. I was on my bike, fully stopped and making a left turn (turn signal on). Just as I started to turn another bike zoomed past on my left and side swiped me. Both of us went down, no real damage to my bike (bent mirror and clutch handle askew) and only a few very minor scrapes to my left leg, arm and hand. The other rider got up, looked at me as I was getting up, limped to his bike got on and shot away like his ass was on fire.

Two ladies from inside a salon seen what happened and rushed outside. After moving my bike to the curb, they ushered me into their salon, broke out a small first aid kit and proceeded to tend to scrapes on my leg, arm and hand. One of them wrote something on a slip of paper and handed it to me; it was the license plate number, make and model of the other bike! She said in case I wanted to file "Raps" (charges) against the other rider. I profusely thanked them both and offered a few hundred pesos to at least repay for the medical supplies and a small towel they used to clean me up, but they absolutely refused. Instead the next day I went back with a bucket of Jolibee chicken with fries; they didn't say no to that :). 

[stevewool]

When we having the house built we had 3 workers and they  was paid each week , one worker missed a days work because his son had been involved in a fight at school so he had to attend , the next day he was so apologetic about letting us down but we said it was fine , anyway at the end of the week when paying them all , myself and Emma had decided to pay this worker a full weeks pay , after paying them off they went but with in minutes this worker came running back saying we have paid him to much as he did not work one day .The workers worked hard when they was with us for those months so it was worth it in our eyes 

[Viking]

41 minutes ago, Gator said:

I profusely thanked them both and offered a few hundred pesos to at least repay for the medical supplies and a small towel they used to clean me up, but they absolutely refused. Instead the next day I went back with a bucket of Jolibee chicken with fries; they didn't say no to that :). 

Great idea, I will do this to the Banana-lady!

[gbmmbg]

My wife accidentally gave a a Vender in Car Car a 100 us bill. He looked at her and smiled and said mam I can't exchange that, try the money exchange down the street. We thanked him for being honest and every time we are in Car car I stop by and buy something from him.

[OnMyWay]

Olongapo City Information very often posts pictures of residents who find things and try to find the owner.  Many trike drivers but others too.  Sometimes the values can quite a bit.  Good to see the city establish a program to recognize those who do good deeds.  Sometimes they get a picture with the mayor or other official.  Sometimes it takes baby steps to make long term changes to a culture.

I have had several times where I have had cashiers give me money back when I mistakenly given them the wrong bill.

[hk blues]

13 hours ago, Freebie said:

In the irritating local behaviour I told how security guards were having a power trip in trying to prevent my TV repair guy from accessing my property.

He came once and advised it needed repairing.. I paid hsi call out charge. . Duh. ..Second time he changed all backlights and it was working when he left. I paid for new backlights  A day later it stopped. He came for third time, and it was working well. He spent two hours going through everything he knew to fix ( change capacitors etc ) When he left I asked how much. He said nothing. He said he thought he had fixed it after second effort so he was embarrassed he hadn't fixed it properly.  I insisted he take something as he had spent so much time. He said " OK I take P 200 ". One of the good guys.

I had a similar experience with the guy trying to fix our shower - 2 or 3 visits and wouldn't accept payment for the 3rd. I persuaded him to take money for fuel. 

Yep, for every bad experience here there is probably a good one to balance.  And, much of the whinges are similar to what I had in Hong Kong. 

[JJReyes]

About 12 years ago someone challenged our alumni group to come up with charities that won't cost over $1,000 for materials.  My idea was to freely distribute non-GMO heirloom Hawaiian papaya seeds to Philippine farmers.  Main sources for seeds at the time was Monsanto and a Taiwan company who charged lots of money.  They were hybrid and you have to purchase again for new planting.  The seeds were packed about 144 per envelope and farm related non-government organizations did the distribution.  Many farmers were returning seeds because they were too many.  They were concerned I was spending a lot of money based on what they had to pay for seeds from the commercial companies.  It was a different kind of honesty.

[Kingpin]

On 3/18/2023 at 8:58 PM, Viking said:

Honesty like this always make me happy. I tried to give her 200p to show my appreciation but she refused to accept it.

Then it becomes your turn to refuse to accept her refusal.

The most commendable behavior is just part of the culture of acceptance, meaning most workers accept their place in society. You could buy a TV that costs more than the combined houses and possessions of all the workers attending you, and there isn't a hint of unease. They don't look at the customer and envy what you have, they appreciate what they have, even if it's customer service work.