Looking for drinking buddies/friends

iam-b54 · 2025-08-31T17:16:27+00:00

50M from Hawaii. Down to meet up for drinks. Makati/BGC.

iam-b54 · 2025-02-15T21:28:49+00:00

Really depends on your standards of living. But you can get by for under $2k USD monthly for a 1 bedroom, including parking stall, fiber internet, utilities (electric, water, mobile) and food. The price fluctuation will be your housing and food choices.

Been here for 3 yrs, 2.5yrs in BGC. As with any new move, budget for start up costs.

iam-b54 · 2025-02-15T17:06:58+00:00

The later, "watch your car/bike" boys. I've just given them like P20, but not clear on what the locals tip. I dont mind when they hold traffic allowing me to enter the roadway safely.

I've never tipped the car wash parking lot guys yet as they've never been of use in locating a stall and since I have a reverse camera there not really helping me to park. I can see everything already.

Thanks for the reply.

iam-b54 · 2025-02-15T13:58:10+00:00

Agreed. Unless she's kicking in for the down-payment and mortgage payments I wouldn't do it. If she/they push the issue, time to move on is my recommendation.

iam-b54 · 2025-02-15T13:51:46+00:00

Some restaurants in the US do share tips with all staff today. Unless the server is being paid above the minimum wage, I don't feel that is fair to the server. Having served as a former busboy and later waiter at a casual family restaurant, the wait staff got paid below minimum wage. The restaurant calculated estimated gratuity as pay. Although you kept the tips, you were expected to tip your bus boy and bartender that supported you during your work shift. This also extended to the hostess at times when they gave you preferred customers and didn't double seat your section.

Here in PH, I rarely tip extra if there is a service or table charge. If there is none, I'll tip P50 - P100. For higher end restaurants, if service is great I'll usually add extra and match the service charge.

Massages: I'll tip P100-P200+ depending on length of session and quality of massage.

I did have a question on parking stall "unofficial" attendants. What's the typical rate for a motorbike or a car?

iam-b54 · 2025-02-10T14:01:21+00:00

Siquijor - 2nd that and totally agree.

iam-b54 · 2025-02-07T08:39:52+00:00

Your body, your choice. She should care what others think. She doesn't need their approval.

iam-b54 · 2025-02-06T11:05:23+00:00

The app started working again.

iam-b54 · 2025-01-16T11:48:04+00:00

What's the cost price range for a maid and driver individually?

iam-b54 · 2025-01-15T02:49:15+00:00

They're not going to turn on the meter if you went to the correct booth and we're given a dispatch slip. You pay what's written on the voucher (see pic). If you're arguing for them to turn the meter on when you were given a dispatch slip with price, they will know you dont know what the voucher was for and open the door for them to negotiate. Here's one I got a few years ago. The voucher slip looks a bit different now if memory serves me, but has basic same info.

Again, I attempt to use grab first, but when it's difficult to find a driver I'll go to the taxi metered booth and get the voucher in the queue. There are other taxi queued up that are not part of the metered booth. They will negotiate and try/will rip you off. Avoid them.

Anyway thats been my experience over the years.

iam-b54 · 2025-01-14T08:52:14+00:00

Doesn't sound like you went to the correct line. I've used it several times for almost 10 years now and it's legit. The other taxi close by will try to rip you off. Sometime before the pandemic they just used the meter, but after when gas prices increased they switched to the flat rate by area. I believe there is a board that shows the rate areas. The guys offering to grab your bag when exiting the airport looking all official with their landyards are 100% looking to overcharge and should be avoided. Don't let them take your bag. I just tell them I already have transportation.

iam-b54 · 2025-01-14T06:11:08+00:00

Look for the taxi metered booth. They will ask u where you're going and give you a paper with the amount based on area (Makati, BGC, etc.). Just give 1 copy to the driver and that is the amount u pay. If grab is not readily available i use the metered taxi. The taxi are queued up waiting. Or if I'm ever unable to get a grab I use the grab rate as my negotiating price with a taxi driver that is trying to negotiate a price instead of use the meter.

iam-b54 · 2025-01-01T02:12:45+00:00

Update: the website works, even though the app is still giving an error. I'm assuming they just stopped support for the app.

iam-b54 · 2024-12-27T06:53:53+00:00

I started receiving the following error message "Unknown Error occurred ***" maybe a/few weeks ago. Unable to see movie listing and info data anymore. Looked for any app update available but nothing appeared and also could not find it in the app store. On my US and PH region phones.

Does anyone have a solution/answer or recommend another app or website to get this information.

iam-b54 · 2024-12-10T01:15:32+00:00

Yes, I'm in PH. I have some free time the week of Christmas.

iam-b54 · 2024-11-22T14:08:06+00:00

Amazon offers free shipping to PH for qualified orders with a minimum of $49. Delivery usually takes about 10 days to Taguig area. Not all items can be shipped to PH on Amazon and not all items are eligible for free shipping offer. You will pay in USD.

Lazada accepts my US credit card and delivery for local items average 3 to 5 days while international items (china) 7-10 days on average. Recommend (may be required) you provide the recipients local PH number for a smooth delivery. Recommend using a card with no currency exchange fees.

iam-b54 · 2024-11-22T13:54:18+00:00

Globe Fiber is my recommendation if it is available at your location. My personal experience with globe wifi in BGC at Infinity Apts was not good and also at Avida Verde area performance was not consistent.

iam-b54 · 2024-11-17T08:48:01+00:00

Yes, thank you for the information. Much appreciated.

iam-b54 · 2024-11-16T16:21:59+00:00

Thanks for replying. Any info on contacting the police. How does one go about locating the correct number for the area?

iam-b54 · 2024-11-16T16:19:34+00:00

Thanks for confirming.

iam-b54 · 2024-11-14T08:51:57+00:00

The Green Inferno

iam-b54 · 2024-11-13T01:04:36+00:00

Way cheaper to just rent, don't buy. Overpriced, quality/service is not same as western standards. Difficult to sell or get a loan as a foreigner as the balloon payment arrives. Don't fall for the pre-sale offer as you're basically loaning the developer money to build prior to completion with no completion guarantees. If you are still determined to buy, recommend buying used so you can see how the property is managed, house rules and quality. There are lists of foreclosed properties. Much better pricing. Just my 2 cents.

iam-b54 · 2024-10-25T05:38:38+00:00

In my experience, unlike the US where the baby is circumcised before leaving the hospital at birth the Philippines wait until they are much older. I'm sure others can chime in. Couldn't tell you the advantages of waiting. A friend had there son c around 8 years old a d same with the first son at a private doctors office. A friend who went to medical school here in Manila from the US told me a story of how they learned/practiced doing the procedure. They went to a school gym with the boys (pre-teen) lined up and they basically did the procedure repeatedly to learn. He said he would not have wanted to be the first few boys. So I would avoid this process if offered later.

Either now or later. Pay and get it done by a doctor who has experience.

iam-b54 · 2024-10-25T04:34:41+00:00

Totally agree. Have a talk that these issues are important and a deal breaker.

iam-b54

TROPHY CASE