NON-FILIPINO's When visiting/traveling around Philippines, ?

Question

do you find yourself paying jacked-up prices for goods and services?

Or is it just me? Why do they do that?

Answer 1

Yes, they do that.  Its actually quite rude - they set a double standard thinking that because you are perceived as having more money, that it is ok to cheat you.

I bet there aren't any Filipinos who have gotten in a cab in the US and the driver "forgets" to put the meter on and stuff.

Answer 2

they cheat the foreigner , almost everyone does this . They do it from laziness , stupidity , ignorance , and a general lack of belief in God or His laws .

God said "If they turn from their wicked ways , I will heal their land " .

Well , I dont think they want their land healed .

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Yes, you are always overcharged.

Answer 5

Yeah, sometimes but my wife and her relatives usually get items I want to buy. I am well protected when going to an open market. I don't purchase anything.

At barber shops, I usually give more because I want to.The price difference compared to the U.S. is very very low.

Answer 6

no you're not alone, you are right. in fact i was originated from there but i left the country, in french language they call it "un sacre' bail" which mean a sacred years. although i don't live there anymore everytime i visit the country and i do some shopping i always get swindle and it gets into my system when i found out i got swindled, i go back next day to tell the person that she swindled me and after that i don't buy anything from her or them not a thing; most of time i do my shopping in big stores or malls or supermarkets. unless i know the person personally i never buy anything to individuals.

you are asking why they do that,first of all whay push them to do that is the poverty, they think it's  an easy way to earn money but they never realize  they are making themselves a reputation which will cost them dearly by  losing costumers in long run just question of time,things will revolve and fall into bancruptcy involuntarily it's the supermarkets whose gaining costumers because swindles is not their politics. the small people are the loosers with their business not only that they will not earn but also no costumers.

Answer 7

Its not just you.  They do that to all white guys.  I know there are rip-off artists in every country and society and as we travel we learn how to tell them apart from regular people.  However, In The Philippines, everyone is in on it.  Its a way of life.  I know they're poor and I'm real sorry about that.  But, it's not my fault.  Consider this concept:  "if you have more money than me, you should share it with me because I have nothing"  This precept is the basis on which they feel absolved of wrongdoing, many Filipinos have told me as much.  DON'T YOU THINK THAT LOGIC MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THEIR LACK OF ECONOMIC PROGRESS?

Answer 8

Jack! haven't you heard they love their country! You got 50 bucks because I'm too d**n lazy to get a job. Oh and BTW since your from another country you have to pay my family, my friends, him, her, him, her, her, them, the guy in the chair, the boy with the cigarettes, the two girls that just littered, and can you also get those three houses over there. You know what just follow me.

Answer 9

It's not just you. They do it because they can get away with it.

My brother in law told me a long time ago that I can never get a bargain here because I am a foreigner.

Most Filipinos believe all foreigners are rich.

The only way to minimise it is to have your GF or wife buy things for you and keep your foreigner face far away.

Answer 10

that happens because your a foreigner, that's how they view most of you who come and visit the country.

better to have loose change when taking a cab.give them the exact amount or add a tip but not too much.

try to haggle,talk to them as if you already know the price.

Answer 11

that's the filipino way!  swindlers the lot of them.

Answer 12

Yes it does happen, more often than not. Look at it from their perspective,

1) you are a foreigner and they know even if they double the price it still ends up being cheaper than back home.

2) you must be rich as you can afford to travel many thousands of miles for a holiday but they can only afford a local picnic.

3) your wages are a week what they get in 2-3 months (higher bills etc. don't come into the equation).

4) you're a foreigner, therefore an American, therefore rich.

Having said all that there is the other side of the coin: I caught a taxi, outside the hotel, from Mabini to Makati and paid P500.

The next day I had to do the same trip but caught another taxi, same destination. The driver offered to stay and wait, I told him that I didn't know how long I would be, he replied 'doesn't matter' So I asked how much and he replied 'no extra' So I said ok.

Three hours later he took me back to Mabini and charged me P200. I handed over P800 but he said that it was too much. My simple reply was 'thankyou for being honest'

Answer 13

i am a filipino.

but what is wrong in the philippines is that, they have a perception that foreigners are rich.

Answer 14

That is the reputation of the Philippines and it happens but I must say that most of the people I've dealt with there were very fair.

Answer 15

Filipinos are plain lazy to work through sweat and blood. They like money in an easy way. My bad experienced, I paid double for a stop over pass while waiting for the ferry, this ticket clerk kept most of my change without asking for permission to get a tip... ridiculous! She should give me all the change first then wait until I handed her the tip and be thankful for it, right? What a total rip off!