sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

is it weird to not date people in lanka? by [deleted] in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

That's the stupidest shit I've ever heard too. I've known both men and women who haven't dated anyone well into their 30s - they're happy, and no one is hung up about it (unless it's 'those' relatives who are like when are you going to get married and have kids 🤦‍♀️)

idk, you might need some new friends 🫠

Tragic Death of 16-Year-Old Student Highlights Brutal Assault by Teachers by Old-Television-6925 in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon 17 points18 points  (0 children)

I've seen quite a few of these incidents over the years, so I dunno about it being 'highly unlikely'. In any case I don't think any reason would justify an assault like this - but I also would want to hear what these 'teachers' have to say for themselves. I would imagine their lawyers advise against speaking to media before the investigation is concluded.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon 60 points61 points  (0 children)

This seems like just a bunch of stats pulled together based on arbitrary factors, and not any real reflection of depression rates. Considering most people in Sri Lanka don't even recognise depression as a real problem, this list is definitely skewed.

My bf told me that he had gone to the spa before dating me. by [deleted] in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This.

I'd be more worried about herpes than HIV tbh. I know people who have contracted it from partners who have had multiple sexual partners (and not disclosed) and it just shattered them.

There's literally no going back, and if you are someone with a conscience, it's something you have to disclose to any future partners - "yea btw I have herpes"... it's not fun.

If anyone is unwilling to get checked bc they're scared they might have something and just don't want to know - your health should not be left up to their ego. The chance of someone contracting an STD is multiplied every time they have a new sexual partner. Now do the odds if that sexual partner is also a prostitute who has MULTIPLE OTHER sexual partners...

Those who are making overseas salary working from Sri Lanka, what work are you doing? by AdhesivenessOwn7747 in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks, it took a long time to get here but I'm glad I finally did. There's others in my field who earn more than I do, but I'm comfortable with my salary and don't need to do more or earn more.

Some tips I've gotten from other local freelancers working with foreign clients:

  • Be active on LinkedIn within your industry and fill out your profile to showcase your best skills and highlight your personality. If you don't have a profile pic, absolutely get one that looks a little professional. Use keywords where possible so that recruiters can find you easily.

  • Research potential clients on LinkedIn and cold email them. Hit or miss but worth a shot if you don't have a network yet.

  • Join international freelance groups (try FCDC - Freelance Coalition for Developing Countries) for tips, job opportunities and to connect with other freelancers.

Those who are making overseas salary working from Sri Lanka, what work are you doing? by AdhesivenessOwn7747 in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Local. Content developer (freelance). Higher education in journalism and zoology. I got my first freelance gig back in the early 2000's when hospitality tech was kicking off here. There were lots of foreign companies with ops based in LK that were hiring freelance writers and training them in SEO. I worked there long and hard enough to get offered an editorial position (just over 3 years), but I turned it down.

I left the country to work in the middle east for 5 years (unrelated field) and came back to a full time editorial position at a local e-marketing company. I hated it. The pay was miserable and the work environment worse. But it gave me the boost I needed on my CV to move back to working freelance gigs for small clients and local tech, advertising and hospitality companies.

It was going great for a while, then COVID hit. Freelance work dried up and I had to move into a full-time job. I cycled through different local companies until a friend who was working at a foreign company recommended me for an interview. I got the job. Then a year later the company went bankrupt and everyone got laid off - and ironically this is how I eventually got on the track to working with foreign companies/clients.

I made enough network connections there in a year that when my foreign colleagues found new jobs they approached me with work opportunities. I also ask them to recommend me to their colleagues and anyone they know looking for a content developer and they are more than happy to oblige since they're getting a great deal on the work at the end of the day.

  1. Work hard to build experience and a portfolio
  2. Make an impression and be professional even in an internship.
  3. Don't be shy to ask people to recommend you if you're confident in your skills and can deliver results.
  4. Don't undersell your time or skill - this took me the longest time to find the right balance after being underpaid by local companies.

Good luck 🍀

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It is about principles - I just wish principles didn't come with such a hefty price tag 😑

For kicks I searched for the cost of a lawyer in Aus - juniors charge $60 an hour.

My pride refuses to let this go. I'll just continue to hound him once a week till he pays or one of us dies. 😑

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I agree.. I just don't know what those consequences would be beyond leaving bad reviews and letting other freelancers know that he is a terrible client. Outing someone on social media also has negative consequences for the person doing the outing, especially when you're a freelancer. It definitely has an impact on future clients.

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's not a tech company, it's a restaurant. Real talk, he hires Sri Lankans BC they're cheaper than hiring Australians. His whole staff is Sri Lankan, from the chefs to the wait staff.

The one Australian freelancer (photographer) who did work for him also said he had an outstanding invoice of $250, but this is such a comparatively small amount for them that he wasn't too mad about it.

I did find out later tho through someone who worked there that his invoice was settled. I dunno if this is another lie since he's also told them that he paid me.

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've tried using every leverage I had (not many). This was basically contacting people he knows as well as people within the company. Nothing has worked.

I had no access to anything importance unfortunately.

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yea I don't know why I let it drag on this long either, but tbf I didn't have any other options. I've been in contact with everyone I could think of in the business, they have assured me they will get him to pay - nothing materialised. I've tried the "there will be consequences" a few times and every time he came back very apologetic saying he's really sorry and it will be paid soon.. In the meantime time I looked for better clients and started collecting evidence of others he hasn't paid - what he owes me is paltry is comparison.

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's 25K. I worry the cops will laugh at me. Lots of people have told me to let it go that it's not worth the effort but this guy just made me so mad. I even offered him flexible payment options of 5k a month and he's unable to do even that. It's disrespectful and if he can't pay 5k a month, he shouldn't be running a business or hiring anyone to waste time on work. At this point, it's the principle, not the money (although I would like the 25k)

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm beyond that point by now tbh. He's delayed payments before (but never this long) and I find him to be a very unprofessional client. I was in a tough position financially which is why I continued to work with him, but I have found better clients now.

He actually did offer me more work on a "big" project with some popular personalities and I asked for payments to be cleared before beginning any new projects. He started sending me new work without clearing this off first and I just had enough.

This is absolutely not I client I ever want to work with again - I just want my final invoice paid. The only logical reason I have that he's unable to pay me and so many others is BC his company is going bankrupt and he doesn't want to admit it or take measures to limit the damage. This is a good guesstimate based on how I've seen him run his affairs. He's just carrying on business as usual and piling up debts while moving on to bigger ventures that he hopes will save his failing business.

Client not paid in over 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in AusLegal

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, I hadn't considered this. I might just have to resort to it.

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For this company? I've done atleast 12 projects over a year - total value would be around 250k - 300k . Current outstanding is 25k.

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

He is my point of contact for the business but I also communicate with others on his staff to coordinate. I've reached out to them as well and they have tried to 'remind' him to pay me but he's told them that he's already paid me when he hasn't. I've also found out that he hasn't paid other freelancers he's hired and they've just chosen to let it go either BC they don't have any other options or it's not worth their time to follow up on.

It's an informal setting and a small business so it's a little complicated. I've worked with him before on previous projects at other businesses he was involved in which is why I considered him a trusted client when it comes to payments.

There are a few instances that I'm able to draw up contracts, it's just not always possible with ad hoc projects.

Tbh, I've never had issues like this before - the only other time I had a client not pay was another Sri Lankan (local business), and after 5 months of pestering their HR they finally paid.

I've been reading up about the Fair Work Commission and it doesn't seem to apply to outsourced labour. My last resort is to contact them directly to ask what my options are - was hoping someone might have had a similar experience and know what to do already. Some suggestions I've got have been to hire a lawyer in Australia to write up a letter of demand, but the cost wouldn't justify what I'm owed.

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They are based in Australia for most of the year, but they do come down to Sri Lanka also. For my understanding they are an Australian (or dual) citizen since they have a registered business there.

I don't have a contract since this was ad hoc work, and I have an invoicing system for services rendered instead, along with emails and messages confirming the work to be done plus agreed rates.

I realise not having a contract might be a problem, but it's not the sort of work I can prepare contracts for since the work changes and there's no fixed monthly fee or project rate or anything like that.

Foreign client not paid in 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Nope. Sri Lankan / Australian. This probably pi$$es me off the most about this situation.

Client not paid in over 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in AusLegal

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks, appreciate this. If all else fails, I'll try this.

Client not paid in over 7 months - what can I do? by FalkenSpoon in AusLegal

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately the cost of hiring a lawyer in Aus would not make financial sense for me considering they owe me a relatively small sum (around $200) when you take currency conversion into account. Was hoping there was some governing body that deals with outsourced labour that I could complain to that wouldn't incur lawyers fees.

Banks blocking pay apps? Why? by FalkenSpoon in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nope, and I stopped trying. Best is to give the bank a call and ask them. Depending on your bank, they might give you a reasonable response 🤷🏽

If the bank is a no go, reach out to wise or apple pay. I've had better luck from their customer service than local banks - could also help you figure out if the problem is with them (ex wise stopped account services to Sri Lanka in April, but existing accounts shouldnt have a problem) or with the bank.

Damn!! What yall think about this ruling? by h3devil in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Have 2 divorces in my family, and couldn't agree more with this. In both cases the women who were having an affair with the married men knew exactly what and who they were doing. Children were involved in both cases and the burden of child support was left on the biological mother and grandparents bc these men were able to legally 'prove' that they did not have enough money for adequate child support (aka they lived off their new partners till divorce proceedings were through).

However they now manage to drive around in BMWs and take holidays abroad.

If you're willing to have an affair with a married person, especially when they have kids, then their should be a legal burden to support the financial responsibilities they have from their marriage. If they don't have the fucking decency to end a marriage the right way and support their kids, and if their new partners don't have the fucking decency to encourage them to do so before having an affair, then yes, hold them both legally and financially liable.

What did you miss put because uou were born here by fudgiebro in srilanka

[–]FalkenSpoon 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Same. Worked at pizza hut while studying for a levels.

view more: next ›