rules for travelers

Racism refers to various belief systems maintaining that humans can be separated into various groups based on physical attributes and that these groupings determine or influence cultural or individual achievement or the essential value of human beings. This can lead to hostility against individuals based on a perceived or ascribed "race".


Last week, after me and my officemates had dinner at mcdonalds near the office building, there was this "european" guy i think, (its in his accent, i guess). He approached us and he was asking for directions about this certain indian restaurant. One of my colleagues told me to talk to him instead since most of them were hesitant with speaking with this guy.

I asked "what specific place are u looking for in this area?"

european guy answered "well im looking for this indian restaurant, they told me its along Buendia avenue here in Makati..do u know it?"

I said "Okay, you see, i havent heard of an indian restaurant here..but since u came the other direction, why not try the other side of the Buendia Avenue, its probably there."

This time, i know he looked very tired, agitated and probably hungry..he became quite..irritated.

He looks at me, like he thinks im stupid. he said "What?! Do you understand what i'm saying? i said im looking for an indian restaurant, what do you mean about the other side of Buendia avenue, this is Buendia avenue!".

well, this time it was already quite insulting since im a filipino, and this is manila..and he's probably from god-knows-where in europe..so between us, its logical that I probably know better which side he should be going or what place is he pertaining to.

I knew from the tone of his voice that he was irritated because i could not give him any specific answers, and besides my officemates (who were mostly men) were looking at him seriously and are already whispering to me that this guy is getting on their nerves in tagalog.

I told him that "Okay, you know, why don't you just ask somebody else, we cant help you..sorry we dont know the place." politely..

He was about to go..but still he comes back..this time its far more worse.

He asks me again "Okay, can't you just suggest any restaurants that serve pork?"

I answered him "Well, there are a couple of restaurants in the other side of the street.."

And this stupid european guy answered.."Hey!, Im not asking for filipino restaurants, I dont like filipino restaurants, i like indian restaurants.. or any restaurants that serve pork."

Okay, i think my patience just snapped right there..and i could really say mean things to him and insult him on the spot..

But still poised, I smiled and said "You're probably tired so i suggest you take a cab, and go to the nearest mall a few blocks from here, where there's a whole bunch of restaurants to choose from."

He said "Ok, nevermind..whatever".


one of my officemates, Cris who was the tallest, told me that i had a long patience with that guy because if that guy shouts at me again or insults me again, he will lose his temper and would not hesitate to punch him. Afterall, the guy was in our territory. I knew that everyone was so mad at the way this european guy was talking to me, but i told them i was trying to help him because I could see how his clothes looked and his face was so tired, he probably has been walking all the day along, i knew he was agitated ..he was already insulting me by shouting but I didnt want to make a big deal of that because I could embarass him all i want and make fun of him but it wouldnt matter, he's a foreigner in a foreign place. I didnt take advantage of that but i wished he wont meet any more trouble and learn his lesson the hard way. I hate it when a foreigner is is here in manila, and complains of a lot of things..who wants them here anyway? If you're a foreigner in a foreign land then u earn ur respect by knowing the place and its people.

of course, all Filipino restaurants serve pork (even the americans knew that or the japanese), if the stupid guy wasn't so idiotic enough to know that. Its a standard dish cooked in all kinds. Besides, i know i have only travelled in the middle east part, but its standard rule for travelers..is not to ask exact directions in the streets.

I've always believed that the best information a person can get is from three sources; a taxicab driver, a store owner and police authority. Its based on experience..trust me.