• frickineh@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    I work in a passport office, and any time a guy comes in alone to apply and says he’s going to the Philippines, without exception, he’s exactly what you’d picture. Some have been pretty upfront about getting married while they’re there (one guy showed me a picture and said, “look what I’m marrying,” and I’m really proud for not screaming at his phrasing) and some try to keep it stealthy, but it’s pretty obvious. We’re not sending our best is all I can say.

    • crazyCat@sh.itjust.works
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      4 months ago

      What do you mean by “passport office”? People would be going to you for visas, not passports, presumably. Also, many western countries don’t need visas to the Philippines right?

      • frickineh@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Uh, no. People have to apply for passports in person in many cases. I work in an office that accepts those applications.

        • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          Sure bro totally a real place. I am out of the country for work or tourism multiple times a year and never once heard of a passport office.

          • frickineh@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            This is the single dumbest comment I’ve seen this week. Congrats! I think you need to walk away from this thread because you’re taking it suuuuper personally when no one was talking about you. It can’t possibly be good for your mental health to be this riled up over a meme. https://iafdb.travel.state.gov/

            • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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              4 months ago

              It just occured to me, is “passport office” code for person stocking the shelves at a Hudson in the airport after TSA? Did a water bottle spill on you and you got the superpowers of mind reading?

              • frickineh@lemmy.world
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                4 months ago

                Are you legitimately illiterate? “Passport office” is another version of “passport acceptance facility,” and there are literally thousands of them, which you’d know if you looked at the Department of State link I provided. I don’t even know why I’m responding at this point. You’ve been hyper aggressive to basically everyone in this thread for no real reason.

    • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Given your ability to determine 100% what a person is thinking your skills are clearly wasted at the passport office, whatever that supposedly is.

      • frickineh@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        I don’t know why you’re acting like I personally insulted you, unless you’re the type of old man going to the Philippines to find a wife who only wants you for the green card. If you are, then yeah, be insulted about it, and think about your life choices.

          • ggppjj@lemmy.world
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            4 months ago

            There are ways of calling people out for profiling that do not include being an asshole.

            • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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              4 months ago

              Had to make sure they heard me at the “passport office”. I imagine it is quite loud with the unicorns and Easter bunnies farting rainbows all the time.

  • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    I took these pictures, in the former Siam capital, this past summer. If you really think there is only reason to go to that part of the world is hookers I don’t know what to tell you other than that says a fuckload more about you vs what it says about the people you are mocking. Oh and for the fucking record I am not divorced, not 50+, and very much married. People who post crap like this insult some of the most fascinating parts of the world with unique cultures built up over so many thousands of years.

    • Space_Racer@lemm.ee
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      4 months ago

      Bro struck a nerve and he clearly wasn’t talking about you. If you’re not a divorced guy over 50 you’re not in the meme.

      • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        and he clearly wasn’t talking about you. I

        Oh I see. I am one of the “well-behaved good ones”, right? Hey how about we don’t stereotype people and how about I call out bigotry regardless if it involves me personally? Do I have your fucking permission to do that?

        • Space_Racer@lemm.ee
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          4 months ago

          Are you ok bro? You just seem like a really angry person. This can’t be healthy to live this worked up over a simple meme.

  • gorkur@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    I kinda want to go to Thailand to check out the chopper/custom bike scene there as I’ve both heard good things and seen some nice builds on IG and such.

    I also work with a couple of ladies from the Philippines who say I’d love going on a road trip there so I am pretty curious.

    This stereotype does give me pause though as 50 keeps creeping up and I really don’t want to be labeled as a perv simply for liking motorcycles 🫤

    • topperharlie@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      never take the internet as a reference, I went to Thailand last year and did not see anything weird.

      internet reality is not real life reality.

      if narrow minded people judge you for something you didn’t do just because of some generalised idea, then maybe is better not to be friends with those people. I’ve travelled alone and not alone to many places, and none of my friends ever thought ill of me.

      Whatever the internet kids think I really don’t give a shit, as you shouldn’t either.

      Man, I really hate gatekeeping.

      • Synnr@sopuli.xyz
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        4 months ago

        Fully agree. I’m taking a trip to Russia soon. It’s my families motherland, such a beautiful country with a rich history. People keep calling me a spy, and it’s hurtful, especially when they pull out their identification. – Jokes aside I really do agree. Internet culture has come up with some of the greatest, and dumbest, collectivist thoughts and this meme is a great example of the latter.

        Edit: Keep up friends. “Motherland” “Russian” “Spy” “Identification” “Jokes aside”

        • Deceptichum@sh.itjust.works
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          4 months ago

          Fuck that, Russia doesn’t deserve a cent of tourism money. Would you have gone to Germany in 1939 if it was your families homeland?

  • Nate Cox@programming.dev
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    4 months ago

    I’d like to go to the Philippines someday, and I really dislike the stereotypes presented that there could only possibly be one reason.

    I’ve spent about a quarter of my life training in the martial art arnis; I’m knowledgeable enough that I have taught or helped to teach classes myself. I would love to go to the land where it was born and train with masters there… which just happens to be the Philippines.

    I’m also a software developer by trade and have worked with a few people who my company outsourced from the Philippines. A couple of them have really been a delight to work with and I would really like to travel and hang out with them.

    It’s irritating that I need to include a wall of text to justify that I may have a non creep reason to want to travel. Thanks a lot, actual creeps ruining things for the rest of us.

    • astreus@lemmy.ml
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      4 months ago

      The big thing I will say from my experience there: the people are AMAZING. I didn’t get ripped off, everyone was so friendly, got to play basketball with a group of kids and had a blast. And the nature is incredible.

      It also had some of the most downtrodden areas I’ve ever seen, some of the biggest displays of wealth disparity, and after a few weeks on different islands, Manilla felt more like a theme park for the rich than any kind of city.

      Overall, really recommend it, but try going off the beaten path!

      • FiniteBanjo@lemmy.today
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        4 months ago

        I feel like there should be a disclaimer on this comment: “WARNING: you are more likely to get ripped off, shot, witness cartel activity, and/or have your organs illegally harvested in the Philippines. Please speak with your doctor to see if going to the Philippines is right for you.”

          • TimewornTraveler@lemm.ee
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            4 months ago

            I think you’re going a little bit too hard on the denial. I get you’ve lived there and seen your share of things, but that stuff IS more present.

            I do appreciate that you don’t want to let these things dissuade others from traveling there, but honestly, I would have benefitted greatly from hearing that warning before visiting Manila.

    • harry_balzac@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      I understand this. I was underemployed for a while, so I was doing tutoring American English online. Since I was working graves, my schedule meant I ended up with clients from SE Asia, China, Japan.

      After a few months, I found better work and didn’t need to tutor as much. I cut my availability and was down to 2, then one.

      The one I still tutor is a Filipina in nursing school. Most people, when they find that out, go straight to the “I’m a creep/She wants a green card” duality.

      I get tired of explaining that she actually qualifies for permanent residency as soon as she gets her work visa. She doesn’t need me at all to come to the US to work.

      There are plenty of legitimate organizations and agencies that help Filipino nurses get jobs and visas at minimal cost above the required fees.

      She has mentioned that she’d prefer to live with me and would be open to a relationship with me, even though I am older…much older.

      I leave that last bit out when talking to folks because it makes me sound like a creep. I totally get why people would think that.

      On the other hand, an attractive, intelligent, hardworking, and fun younger woman is interested in me? It’s a challenge to say no to that.

      • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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        4 months ago

        Most people, when they find that out, go straight to the “I’m a creep/She wants a green card” duality.

        Pro-tip. When someone says something like that just stare at them. When they start getting nervous and ask you a question like “what?” coldly ask them to repeat what they just said and perhaps elaborate on it. Keep starring even after they backoff or apologize. Keep it up until they walk away.

        No one will ever question your love again because people are fucking cowards and bigots are even more cowardly than most.

    • afraid_of_zombies@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      It isn’t the creeps ruining things it is fuckers stereotyping people. The world is full of creeps no one has a monopoly on them.

  • DreamButt@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    Having been to the Philippines can confirm. It’s crazy how many old white dudes just hang out in the sleaziest bars on the sketchiest streets

    • m0darn@lemmy.ca
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      4 months ago

      I have a colleague that has a wife from the Philippines. They live in Canada but are building a house there. He said I should come visit, and I replied something about how my wife would love a tropical vacation. He replied:

      Bringing your wife on vacation to the Philippines is like bringing a lunchbag to a restaurant.

      … … … cool.

  • TronnaRaps@lemmy.ca
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    4 months ago

    I don’t get this? My mind didn’t go where it seems others’ here went. Is this about men looking for submissive women? Or something more sinister?

      • AdmiralShat@programming.dev
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        4 months ago

        My Dad’s bills are like $200 a month for everything, he eats fresh fruit and vegetables everyday, he bought a small truck or cheap, he gets to explore jungles and beaches and experience life out side the US.

        It’s not just young Asian women that people go there for. The cost of living is so low and you aren’t bombarded by american bullshit all the time

  • Got_Bent@lemmy.world
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    4 months ago

    I went to both countries in my twenties and thoroughly enjoyed both. Beyond some overly strong beer in the Philippines and maybe a joint or two in the rural parts of Thailand, I didn’t engage in any of the stereotypical behavior, though I definitely saw it.

    I guess now that I’m in my fifties, I’m not allowed to go back because it would be a matter of course that I’d pick up some teen bride, right?

    But seriously, both countries are so, so beautiful. I’ve got less than zero desire to ever go to Hawaii after island hopping in the Philippines. As to Thailand, it’s just so calm. Like you’re not even capable of being stressed there. (Unless of course, you’re smuggling drugs around and find yourself on the business end of a prison cell door. Then yer fucked)

    • SpaceCowboy@lemmy.ca
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      4 months ago

      Yeah a lot of the stereotypes come from people that spend their entire vacation in the red light district. Interesting that places in Europe that also have red light districts don’t get the same reputation. Wonder why that is…

      • I Cast Fist@programming.dev
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        4 months ago

        Wonder why that is…

        SEA is easier and cheaper to exploit than a “first world country”, guess that hasn’t changed since the end of colonialism

      • Obi@sopuli.xyz
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        4 months ago

        Amsterdam has a similar reputation in the sense (some) tourists come for the red light District and the parties, but it’s decidedly missing the “come take advantage of third world women just looking for a way out with any western man” and even less so the pedo side.

    • Vodica@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      Strong beer? You must be American. Months Payton said:

      • Drinking American beer and making love in Canoe us the same.
      • How so?
      • Fucking close to water.