Cheap drink prices including spoons and elsewhere
Discussion
InitialDave said:
Someone at an antifreeze company is wondering how the hell they have such a strong market presence in a country that barely dips below 25 celsius.
True. Although that recent event was not here Dave.If you see a frothy top to a beer bottle, and fuller than usual...DO NOT DRINK!! It may have eye-dropper in it. You will lose consciousness and be robbed. Ask me how I know...
I bet they love Johnny Foreigner telling them how to run their business, must be one the highlights their working day.
I’d be steering clear of any specials involving hooch of unknown origins or known origins, form that mater, even beer needs some caution.
Antifreeze, I think it’s the medical sales rep that may have seen an up-tick in business, beware of a complimentary Lemoncellos.
OK Phil, I’m going to ask you how you know, I’m sure its more interesting than any anecdotes I have to recount.
I’d be steering clear of any specials involving hooch of unknown origins or known origins, form that mater, even beer needs some caution.
Antifreeze, I think it’s the medical sales rep that may have seen an up-tick in business, beware of a complimentary Lemoncellos.
OK Phil, I’m going to ask you how you know, I’m sure its more interesting than any anecdotes I have to recount.
daqinggregg said:
I bet they love Johnny Foreigner telling them how to run their business, must be one the highlights their working day.
I’d be steering clear of any specials involving hooch of unknown origins or known origins, form that mater, even beer needs some caution.
Antifreeze, I think it’s the medical sales rep that may have seen an up-tick in business, beware of a complimentary Lemoncellos.
OK Phil, I’m going to ask you how you know, I’m sure its more interesting than any anecdotes I have to recount.
I used to live in central Makati, Manila, 100m from a very well known girly bar area. After playing pool, I would have one or two beers in those bars and speak to the latest recruits, ie wide-eyed virgins from the province. I would advise them on getting a foreigner by keeping their virginity, rather than what the mamasans teach them, which is to become the next Bonnie Blue. I’d be steering clear of any specials involving hooch of unknown origins or known origins, form that mater, even beer needs some caution.
Antifreeze, I think it’s the medical sales rep that may have seen an up-tick in business, beware of a complimentary Lemoncellos.
OK Phil, I’m going to ask you how you know, I’m sure its more interesting than any anecdotes I have to recount.
My "crusade" was found out a few times, ending with me being barred. The last occasion I woke up in an alleyway without a wallet. I recall my last bottle of San Miguel Light having a strange froth, a slightly strange taste and being fuller than usual - it was complementary from the manager...
I took that as a warning...
Edited by PhilAsia on Monday 3rd March 07:29
Thank you for the reply PA
I visited Makati in the late 90’s, even back then it had a certain edge to it, children sleeping rough, bars with signs ‘you’re welcome, your gun is not’, a certain veneer of respectability, clearly disguising a much more shady side.
The Filipino always came across as very chatty and friendly bunch, experience said these are not the kind of people you want to get on the wrong side of, their value of things are considerably different, they play by different rules.
My only experience involving beverages, were ladies wanting to practice English while sharing a coffee, considering the effort put in by numerous beauties, I can only assume it was neither my English skills or handsome good looks they were seeking to exploit.
I visited Makati in the late 90’s, even back then it had a certain edge to it, children sleeping rough, bars with signs ‘you’re welcome, your gun is not’, a certain veneer of respectability, clearly disguising a much more shady side.
The Filipino always came across as very chatty and friendly bunch, experience said these are not the kind of people you want to get on the wrong side of, their value of things are considerably different, they play by different rules.
My only experience involving beverages, were ladies wanting to practice English while sharing a coffee, considering the effort put in by numerous beauties, I can only assume it was neither my English skills or handsome good looks they were seeking to exploit.
daqinggregg said:
Thank you for the reply PA
Welcome. Tough subject though.
daqinggregg said:
I visited Makati in the late 90’s, even back then it had a certain edge to it, children sleeping rough, bars with signs ‘you’re welcome, your gun is not’, a certain veneer of respectability, clearly disguising a much more shady side.
Much of Asia is a world away from most of our experience.
My introduction was India..., also in the late 90's - I arrived in Calcutta, travelled across the north, down to the south on the west coast, and up along the east coast, I was writing a journal of my experience. It concluded: "India, a complete immersion of the senses..." The extremes could be seen minute by minute. I found it fascinating, disturbing, absorbing and repugnant in equal measure. But it was addictive.
My next destination was Singapore. Flying in over beautifully kempt golfing greens was a contrast that was jarring. I found the country and its people to be sterile. I managed one night and left for normality the next morning.
daqinggregg said:
The Filipino always came across as very chatty and friendly bunch, experience said these are not the kind of people you want to get on the wrong side of, their value of things are considerably different, they play by different rules.
Filipinos are, by and large, extremely friendly, even to the point of being protective. There are however, as you say, a certain few that are not. I work on a 95%/5% rule in most countries, where 5% should not be trusted, and fewer still are dangerous. It happens occasionally, where a foreigner will get seriously hurt, or even killed, because of something trivial (to the foreigner) but a perceived loss of face, etc (to the Filipino). The same is true of Thailand.
I have had only a handful of starkly negative experiences in Asia. And in all scenarios I could have done better. In each case, I could have been less forthright, less opinionated, or more thoughtful, or just kept quiet (
incoming) In most instances, if I had thought "10 minutes from now will this really matter", I would have had noticeably better outcomes. I always try to avoid expressing negative views until I know the views of those I am speaking to (something I find a little difficult to do). And do not speak about the usual taboos of religion, politics, etc. Traffic, rather than the (English) weather, is always a good conversation opener.
daqinggregg said:
My only experience involving beverages, were ladies wanting to practice English while sharing a coffee, considering the effort put in by numerous beauties, I can only assume it was neither my English skills or handsome good looks they were seeking to exploit.
I call it the "Crossing the Yellow Immigration Line Syndrome" Gregg. Before crossing, Armpit. Step over, dah-dahhh..., Brad Pitt!! I still find it odd that women see me as desirable. I'm average looking, reasonably fit and not well off in Western terms.
When I left UK, my brother and Malaysian Chinese sister-in-law came to Heathrow to make sure I f
ked off. My SIL warned me to be very careful where women are concerned. I said I understood completely where she was coming from, acknowledged her concerns and said not to worry as I would be careful. I then got onboard the Air Brunei flight. There were only a few passengers onboard and, once we had taken off, one of the cabin crew came along and started chatting with me. She then sat down and we had a great chat for the next 45 minutes. Towards the end she invited me to see her on her pending weekend off, but I said I had to go to Calcutta. So she gave me her mobile and said to call her.
After she left, I quickly looked up Brunei in the Lonely Planet and, disappointingly, the first thing I read was, "Brunei people are some of the friendliest in Asia". b
ks!! I had just buckled immediately for an absolute honey who was just being friendly. I should've, but I still haven't called her.Many Asians have a different outlook and values towards relationships. I have benefitted from that. Just set the boundaries, be honest, be careful, and you can be as "lucky" as many people say I am - which I am.
EDIT: Oops! I just remembered you are in China Gregg, so you probably know most of this anyway. Gran/eggs Phil, gran/eggs...
Edited by PhilAsia on Monday 3rd March 07:30
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