1) The rugged sense of individualism is over the top. Pride is off the charts.
2) Blind patriotism. People here believe in fighting for unjust wars and the "boogeyman". "I fight for freedom!"
3) Voicing any kind of disapproval whether it pertains to government policy or social norms/customs yields the predictable specious charge of "If you don't like it here, get out. We don't need you here."
4) You are dismissed as a "conspiracy nut" if you speak out, with calm rationale, that things are set up a certain way here to make people here compliant to a certain mode of behavior and way of existence.
5) Law enforcement is corrupt, self-serving, jack booted and operates antithetically to their job mandate as public servants. (BART cop Johannes Mehserle anyone? And Fullerton Police beating a homeless schizoid to death being the latest one)
6) Getting dates and romancing women is a monumental task, even for a decent looking person like myself. Its completely unnatural. The psychological barriers Winston talks about are true. It's REAL. Go to any public place (coffee shop, book store, the mall) and find and look at women you find attractive and want to talk to. You will sense any of the following vibes "don't talk to me" "stay away" "I'm in my own world" "Don't approach me you creep!" And, if you manage to get past that, the games, introductory bullshit and sensing the hoops she will make you jump through just to get together for a "date". And, if you express sexual interest in an upfront and straightfoward manner to avoid her games, you get lambasted with "How dare you say that! I refuse to be treated like I'm just a piece of meat!" Christ! Rebuilding a transmission is easier than trying to get with a woman you want to sleep with!
7) No sense of community, or camaraderie among your common man. The hell with you if you are down on your luck, homeless and out on the street. Judgmental attitudes are rampant.
I would like anyone to chime in here. I'd like to know what steps I can take to get out of here. Also, I want to hear your experiences about dating in the Philippines. I know Winston has a chock full of his own on this site, which I will be reading about. I just want to have some reference points so I can make my first trip an enjoyable experience. It will be a testing of the waters to see how I like things there.
Peace.
