Rock, outrageous claims by my Filipino American friend! LOL

[Winston]

Dear Rock,
You seem to have a tendency to believe whatever any random guy tells you. For example, when you walked up to that guy at the nightclub and asked "You have no trouble getting laid in Taiwan right?" and assumed whatever answer came forth must be the objective truth... If you remember, he hesitated and looked taken aback for a few seconds and then said, "No no" in a polite tone (without conviction). I mean what do you expect a stranger to say to a question like that? lol

So anyway, I wanted to know if you believe these fantastic unusual far out claims below by my Filipino American friend.

- He claims that his ex-wife came from the family that owns the SM Malls in the Philippines (such as the big mall you went to in Angeles). In spite of that, when she left him, she stole $20,000 USD in cash from him by taking it out of a briefcase or safe that he stored it in under his mattress, leaving him broke in the Philippines. (Now why would a girl from an upper class family steal? And why would any guy put $20k in cash under his bed instead of in the bank? He never explained that. But if this story isn't true, then why would he say it? For what purpose?)

Also, he says that her family expected him to send them money, cause no matter how rich they were, there is a Filipino tradition that young couples ought to give their earnings to their elders, even in upper class families. (Somehow, I doubt that.)

- He claims to have had a raunchy horny Taiwanese girlfriend in America. And also (get this), he slept with her sister too. She had the hots for him and wanted to have sex with him, even though he was dating her sister. (I'm sure Taiwanese women think nothing of sleeping with their sister's boyfriends, since they have no respect for their sisters, in spite of their religiously rock solid family values...) Somehow, girls always get horny around him suddenly...

- He claims to have made $15,000 a month at a job in the US as a car dealership sales manager, just like that, with no qualifications or prior experience. Money and women always fall into his lap like mana from heaven, it seems.

- When I said that my braces cost my family $2,000 dollars, he replied, "Oh that's nothing. Mine cost $10,000 dollars." (Uh huh, and mine cost $100,000 dollars, just cause I say so.)

- He claims to co-own some thriving business consulting services in Manila. Yet when he gave me the websites of two of them, I checked them but could not find his name anywhere on the sites, including their staff pages. However, the staff in those small companies do seem to know him, but won't comment about him for some reason. Very odd.

- He also claims to make small business deals that net him an extra $500 a month, as though it were a routine, and says it is a small amount to him. And he lives in a 17,000p a month condo in Ortigas that has a view of a golf course. (Gee I wonder how he affords that)

- He said that call center girls in Manila are real horny, and have sex with him during their lunch break in the back of his car. He also picks up girls in Manila's clubs (regular girls) and has threesomes with them. Again, girls always get horny around him...

- He claimed to be a professional web designer and web consultant. But when I asked him what he could do to improve my website and what services he could offer, his response was, "I can do anything you want. It all depends on how much you're willing to spend..." Come on now! Is that how a serious professional talks or answers inquiries? Is that the way to appease clients or instill confidence in them? Does any experienced credible business professional talk like that? If he's a real web professional, then why doesn't he demonstrate some real knowledge of the industry or field, instead of talking like that?

Also, when Ladislav asked him what he would charge to design a home page like my Happier Abroad home page, he casually said, "About 15,000p or $300". Now, my home page cannot possibly cost that much to design, can it?

(Btw, Ladislav did not notice anything unusual about him. But then again, Ladislav admits that he is not good at BS detection and cannot recognize phoniness in others. Mr S is far better at that.)

- He claimed to come up with a brilliant business plan based on a computer formula he devised for a profitable grocery store business, using data from established grocery stores making a ton of money. But he lacked the investment money, so he asked me and Ladislav if we were interested in becoming his business partner by investing 7 or 8 thousand dollars. He said that the formula guaranteed that profit would start coming in 6 months after the grocery store opened.

Needless to say, we never took it seriously of course. Ladislav explained that he had bad luck in the past with such ventures, which usually ended up with everyone blaming the other business partner and no one taking responsibility for the failures. Thus he's been burned too many times, so he would want some kind of guarantee or safety net or protection in such a venture. But my friend couldn't provide one.

The point is though, WHY would he expect someone to shell out 7 or 8 thousand dollars to invest in his scheme, when he has NO proven track record of running any kind of successful business??? In fact, he has no references, track record or past history of any kind that I can investigate! Nor did he offer any! In fact, a Google search for his name turns up NOTHING related to him. So why would I trust him and risk a ton of money, just because he says so??? Does he even live in reality or have common sense???

It makes NO FRICKIN SENSE and is an insult to my intelligence! What kind of logic is that??? Can anyone explain?!

Furthermore, business is a risky and complicated thing. You can't just invest 7 or 8 thousand dollars, follow a formula, and then expect automatic profits to flow in steadily, just like that. Reality isn't like that. It's a lot more complicated than that. Come on now. If it were that simple, everyone would do that. What could go wrong???

Conclusion:

In spite of all these claims, he hasn't got a shred of proof to back any of them up. He is all "big talk, but no proof." Yet he expects me to believe whatever he says just cause we're friends and we hang out. Excuse me, but trust has to be EARNED, it's not a free gift. Same with credibility. Credibility has to be PROVEN. It is not something you automatically give to your friends for no reason. Just because someone hangs out with you doesn't mean they are automatically credible. That makes no sense. To be credible, you have to have a track record of some sort, or third party references, or evidence to back up your claims. Credibility is not a free gift. That's not logical or realistic. Yet he expects me to put loyalty above truth and logic, and believe whatever he claims, just because.

What do you think of that? Rock, I know you like to give guys the benefit of the doubt, but do you find all these claims believable, even for you?

My girlfriend said that there was a phoniness in the way he talked when he bragged about his life, and that he acted like a "big talker". There was something "unreal" about him, but it was hard to pin it down.

However, Ladislav didn't notice this for some reason, even after talking to him for several hours. But then again, Ladislav admits that BS detection is not one of his strong suits. But Mr S is a total natural when it comes to BS detection. He can size up a guy accurately after just one minute. I've seen it. He can smell BS like a dog following a scent.

Why would a guy make these far out claims to another guy? What for? There's nothing to gain from it. It's not logical. I don't understand why so many guys (30 to 50 percent of American guys in my experience) like to claim that money and women fall into their lap like mana from heaven. It doesn't make sense. Yet most American guys do that, and most of them have no proof to back up their claims. Why?

It seems that many guys like to portray that they are living in a world where "big money comes easily to them, and women are always horny around them..." Uh huh...

And you buy that Rock??? Tell me. How come you are never critical or skeptical of guys' claims?

Ladislav, Mr S, Momopi, what's your take?

[Rock]

Dear Rock,
You seem to have a tendency to believe whatever any random guy tells you. For example, when you walked up to that guy at the nightclub and asked "You have no trouble getting laid in Taiwan right?" and assumed whatever answer came forth must be the objective truth... If you remember, he hesitated and looked taken aback for a few seconds and then said, "No no" in a polite tone (without conviction). I mean what do you expect a stranger to say to a question like that? lol

Hmmm, let's put this in perspective.

1. The claims made by the guy at the nightclub (South African) were very credible because:

- He was clearly plugged-in and familiar with several of the groups clubbing in the immediate area. I saw one very cute girl go right up to him and greet him with a warm hug. Others talked to him for a few minutes and the body language suggested they knew him well.

- He looked like the type of guy who could do well with certain types of local women. I've seen the dynamic play-out often in the Taipei club scene.

- The way he answered was modest and understated. That's fine, no red-flags. The people you should doubt the most are the in-your-face braggart types or those who go out of their way to one-up others.

- The guy has lived for several years in Taiwan - a very easy place to engage people, make friends, and get dates. Ironically, you adamantly claimed otherwise before that triip.

2. In contrast, the scenario you laid-out is a complete joke. Might as well have copied and pasted a Nigerian 419 business proposal. You have a critical thinking blind spot if you take him at all seriously. And it surprises me that Lad didn't see through him on-the-spot. No wonder he got cheated in business so much. Just use some elementary common sense:

- First, everything he told defied basic logic - super rich gf requires family money and steals US$20K - sounds similar to the kinds of stories Asian bargirls come-up with.

- Second, he throws-out all kinds of big numbers, personal biz successes, and sexual conquests and one-ups you on everything - insecure braggart type.

- Third, and this is the most important, he invites you and your friend to invest in one of his schemes, ROTFLMAO!!!!!!

3. Assuming no red-flags get raised, I like to give new people I meet a bit of non-material benefit of doubt. By non-material, I mean the trust I invest does not put myself nor people I know at any sort of personal or financial risk. If the guy is a liar or likes to BS, I will figure it out soon enough should I have further interactions with him. Some of people I meet when traveling do like to honestly open up a bit to strangers.

4. It gives me a chuckle when you question my judgment while swallowing hook, line, and sinker bizarre claims made by smooth talking charismatic gurus about world leaders being reptilians. If you wanna objectively evaluate content coming from the mouths of one of these guys, separate yourself from the speaker. Examine the written version of his message and break it down into its rudimentary form. Don't let yourself get seduced or hypnotized by the messenger unless you don't give a shit about the message.

[Rock]

Conclusion:

In spite of all these claims, he hasn't got a shred of proof to back any of them up. He is all "big talk, but no proof." Yet he expects me to believe whatever he says just cause we're friends and we hang out. Excuse me, but trust has to be EARNED, it's not a free gift. Same with credibility. Credibility has to be PROVEN. It is not something you automatically give to your friends for no reason. Just because someone hangs out with you doesn't mean they are automatically credible. That makes no sense. To be credible, you have to have a track record of some sort, or third party references, or evidence to back up your claims. Credibility is not a free gift. That's not logical or realistic. Yet he expects me to put loyalty above truth and logic, and believe whatever he claims, just because.

What do you think of that? Rock, I know you like to give guys the benefit of the doubt, but do you find all these claims believable, even for you?

My girlfriend said that there was a phoniness in the way he talked when he bragged about his life, and that he acted like a "big talker". There was something "unreal" about him, but it was hard to pin it down.

However, Ladislav didn't notice this for some reason, even after talking to him for several hours. But then again, Ladislav admits that BS detection is not one of his strong suits. But Mr S is a total natural when it comes to BS detection. He can size up a guy accurately after just one minute. I've seen it. He can smell BS like a dog following a scent.

Why would a guy make these far out claims to another guy? What for? There's nothing to gain from it. It's not logical. I don't understand why so many guys (30 to 50 percent of American guys in my experience) like to claim that money and women fall into their lap like mana from heaven. It doesn't make sense. Yet most American guys do that, and most of them have no proof to back up their claims. Why?

It seems that many guys like to portray that they are living in a world where "big money comes easily to them, and women are always horny around them..." Uh huh...

And you buy that Rock??? Tell me. How come you are never critical or skeptical of guys' claims?

Winston, when someone spins an inconsistent web of lies, its fruitless to try figuring out all the 'whys'. The 'bigger picture' rational usually boils down to mental issues, insecurity and egoism, and a scamming motive. That's what I see with 'your friend' anyway.

In some ways at least, you clearly don't know me very well. If I met a guy like your friend, I would have written-him off within 5 minutes and just engaged him further for entertainment purposes. I realize you don't really believe him. But the fact that you needed to seriously consider his claims and ask some of your advisers for confirmation suggests that you could fall victim to one of these street characters if he was good enough. If you ever go to Pattaya, be careful. There's some pretty capable expat scam artists on the look-out for someone like you.

[Winston]

Rock, I wasn't just talking about the South African guy who seemed like a regular clubber. There was another guy you asked the same question to. He was just an average looking guy. When he answered, he looked embarassed like he didn't know what to say and just told you what you wanted to hear, cause it seemed that's what you wanted to hear.

But the point is, even though you're very knowledgeable and intelligent, I've never seen you once cast any skepticism on a guy we meet, or his claims. Instead, you seem to assume that everyone is honest and genuine. On the other hand, I've seen Mr S write off tons of guys we've met after sizing them up.

But I guess your skeptical post above is the first time I've seen you apply skepticism.

I like to give guys the benefit of the doubt too. But when there are too many problems and logic fallacies with a guy's claims, as you mentioned, then I get cautious and suspicious and withhold judgment.

I am impressionable so sometimes I fall for scams, yeah. But it's been a long time since I have.

Thanks for your analysis. I will email you and Mr S this guy's picture so you can try to read his vibes from them.

He is a real nice and friendly guy, and he's into conspiracies and alternative stuff too. So I thought he was a truth seeker. I just can't understand why a truth seeker would make up so many stories or exaggerate so many things. It makes no logical sense.

Could he have a dark past that he's ashamed of, and therefore uses boasting to cover up for it?

Btw, the reason Ladislav didn't see through him, is because he did not brag or boast to Ladislav. We spent most of the time talking about culture, deep things, etc. the kind of talk that you had with the Aussie guy that we met. The boasting was all at me. I don't know. Maybe something about me makes guys want to boast in front of me? But nevertheless, BS detection isn't one of Ladislav's strong suits.

Finally, what about the part where he said, "I can do anything you want. It all depends on how much you're willing to spend..." in response to my question of what he could do to improve this site? Is that the way a real professional talks? Is that the way to appease your clients and draw in their interest? Would someone experienced in business say that? lol

PS - Regarding the Reptilian thing, you are not qualified to dismiss it. There's a lot we don't know about reality and our origins and you have not spent any time researching it. I just watched a 22 part documentary on YouTube about Reptilians in human history, which I posted on this forum, and learned a lot of interesting things. None of it was conclusive of course, but a lot of the material did make you raise an eyebrow.

It's not just David Icke now. About 10 other conspiracy authors and researchers also believe that the reptilian thing is plausible, based on their research, interviews, investigations, etc. Their names and comments were mentioned in the film. They are doing the LEG WORK out there to dig into truth. What makes you qualified to just deny it all without any research, while others have spent many hours looking into it? Aren't they more qualified than you? Ok fine. You are not interested in this subject. But neither are you qualified to label it as true or false either or declare it as a con. If you saw the 22 part documentary that I did, you'd have a lot of material to digest, and you'd say, "I'll get back to you on it" rather than flat out denying it and labeling it as a con.

Also, David Icke doesn't care if you believe him or not, or if you ridicule him for what he says. He just follows the evidence and that's all he's interested in. He's not interested in a popularity contest and points that out. You ought to admire him for that at least.

[Jackal]

He is a real nice and friendly guy, and he's into conspiracies and alternative stuff too. So I thought he was a truth seeker. I just can't understand why a truth seeker would make up so many stories or exaggerate so many things. It makes no logical sense.

Well, this just goes to show you that appearing friendly and being fond of alternative stuff aren't any guarantees of honesty. After all, many serial killers have appeared quite charming to people during their daily lives. And while a person's fondness for alternative stuff means that there's some chance that he thinks the same way you do, there's also increased unpredictability with such a person. I mean look at all of us here: We're all quite different people despite all being outside the mainstream. Conformist, ordinary people can often be easier to deal with because they so predictable (although they are very boring and closed-minded).

And especially beware of anyone who proclaims to be a "truth seeker" very loudly: Often these people have the most unstable and negative personalities beneath the surface. You really have to observe people's behavior over the long-term in different situations to be able to know anything about them.

[ladislav]

I rarely talk about my conquests or the money I make. I think I have had more girlfriends than most guys I have met. But I do not brag about it. I do not need to. I have been to more countries than most people I have met, had luxury cars and lived in exclusive neighborhoods. But why would I brag about it? What is the use. It is all vanity of vanities.

[momopi]

- He claimed to come up with a brilliant business plan based on a computer formula he devised for a profitable grocery store business, using data from established grocery stores making a ton of money. But he lacked the investment money, so he asked me and Ladislav if we were interested in becoming his business partner by investing 7 or 8 thousand dollars. He said that the formula guaranteed that profit would start coming in 6 months after the grocery store opened.

That is a red flag right there.

[Winston]

Ladislav,
You wrote me:

They may or may not be true, but then again, I am too busy to think of such things.

Come on now. You're a smart and insightful guy. Are you saying you find NOTHING fishy or suspicious or conspicuous with those claims above? Dianne is far less educated and experienced than you, but even she sees a lot of bull in those claims. Come on now. If she can see it, why can't you? No way.

Do you see nothing wrong with the claim that he can walk into a job and start making 15k USD a month, just like that? Have you done that too?

Do you see nothing wrong with the claim that call center girls are horny and have sex with him in his car during their lunch break? Do they do that with you too?

Do you see nothing wrong with the claim that his braces cost 10k USD, just cause mine cost 2k USD?

Why would a girl from an upper class family steal 20k USD from under his mattress? Can you explain that? And why would anyone keep that much cash under his mattress rather than putting it in the bank?

Do you really have no critical thinking or skepticism skills? Come on now.

By the way, why did you start your post with "By the way"? Usually you say that to add to a previous point you made, but in this case that was your first post here in this thread, and there was no previous post of yours to add on. So the use of that here is not logical. lol

[Winston]

- He claimed to come up with a brilliant business plan based on a computer formula he devised for a profitable grocery store business, using data from established grocery stores making a ton of money. But he lacked the investment money, so he asked me and Ladislav if we were interested in becoming his business partner by investing 7 or 8 thousand dollars. He said that the formula guaranteed that profit would start coming in 6 months after the grocery store opened.

That is a red flag right there.

It is a red flag. But I don't think he befriended me for money. He knew from the start that I was on a budget and did not have a ton of cash to part with, and that I was frugal and efficient in the way I spent.

Plus, after we declined getting involved, he still remained friends with me and still liked to hang out. So I don't think that he befriended me just to try to scam money out of me.

I just don't see the logic behind all his numerous far fetched claims. People don't make sense. That's what bothers me. Why can't everyone be logical?

Momopi, is it really that easy? I mean, can someone just invest 10k USD to start up a grocery store, then wait a while and bask in residual dough flowing in every month? Is it that easy and simple? What is your professional opinion on that?

[ladislav]

Do you see nothing wrong with the claim that he can walk into a job and start making 15k USD a month, just like that? Have you done that too?

Hmm, yeah, sounds a bit far fetched. Why would he need people to invest 7K of he can make that in 2 weeks?

Do you see nothing wrong with the claim that call center girls are horny and have sex with him in his car during their lunch break? Do they do that with you too?

Extremely unlikely in the Philippines, even in Manila. Where would they do it? In a parking lot? There are no secrets in RP. All couples are under surveillance all the time with people making comments. Two co workers going back to the car and staying in it with the car rocking for about an hour with people walking around would be unthinkable.

Do you see nothing wrong with the claim that his braces cost 10k USD, just cause mine cost 2k USD?

Well, in my home town of Palm Springs, they may cost that much actually.

Why would a girl from an upper class family steal 20k USD from under his mattress? Can you explain that? And why would anyone keep that much cash under his mattress rather than putting it in the bank?

It may or may not have happened. Some people just do crazy things. I have done wacky things, too.

Do you really have no critical thinking or skepticism skills? Come on now.

I do but I have so many things on my plate now and I am so busy that this gentleman's accounts are the farthest thing from my mind.

[Rock]

Rock, I wasn't just talking about the South African guy who seemed like a regular clubber. There was another guy you asked the same question to. He was just an average looking guy. When he answered, he looked embarassed like he didn't know what to say and just told you what you wanted to hear, cause it seemed that's what you wanted to hear.

Sorry, my amnesia has kicked-in, lol. Which other foreigner did we talk to together in Taichung besides the Indian guy who was just visiting and had no experience? Or are you talking about a local guy?

[Winston]

Rock, I wasn't just talking about the South African guy who seemed like a regular clubber. There was another guy you asked the same question to. He was just an average looking guy. When he answered, he looked embarassed like he didn't know what to say and just told you what you wanted to hear, cause it seemed that's what you wanted to hear.

Sorry, my amnesia has kicked-in, lol. Which other foreigner did we talk to together in Taichung besides the Indian guy who was just visiting and had no experience? Or are you talking about a local guy?

I don't remember his name. He was just sitting outside. And we talked to him casually. Anyway, it's not important.

[Rock]

Rock, I wasn't just talking about the South African guy who seemed like a regular clubber. There was another guy you asked the same question to. He was just an average looking guy. When he answered, he looked embarassed like he didn't know what to say and just told you what you wanted to hear, cause it seemed that's what you wanted to hear.

Sorry, my amnesia has kicked-in, lol. Which other foreigner did we talk to together in Taichung besides the Indian guy who was just visiting and had no experience? Or are you talking about a local guy?

I don't remember his name. He was just sitting outside. And we talked to him casually. Anyway, it's not important.

Well, it is relevant to your argument since its the only concrete example you provided of me being overly trusting of what others say. Which venue and what was his race and/or nationality? I just don't remember talking to any other foreigners with you during that trip so you've stimulated my curiosity.

[Winston]

Rock, I wasn't just talking about the South African guy who seemed like a regular clubber. There was another guy you asked the same question to. He was just an average looking guy. When he answered, he looked embarassed like he didn't know what to say and just told you what you wanted to hear, cause it seemed that's what you wanted to hear.

Sorry, my amnesia has kicked-in, lol. Which other foreigner did we talk to together in Taichung besides the Indian guy who was just visiting and had no experience? Or are you talking about a local guy?

I don't remember his name. He was just sitting outside. And we talked to him casually. Anyway, it's not important.

Well, it is relevant to your argument since its the only concrete example you provided of me being overly trusting of what others say. Which venue and what was his race and/or nationality? I just don't remember talking to any other foreigners with you during that trip so you've stimulated my curiosity.

How am I supposed to remember his name? We only talked to him for a few minutes. He was either white or middle eastern. Just an average looking guy. But not that big African guy that looked like a bouncer. You're the one who asked him, "You don't have any trouble getting laid here do you?" not me. Why would I remember a random dufus like that? I just remembered that you asked him that. I'm not sure we ever got his name. We met him outside while waiting for the club to open.

It is not one example. Can you give me an example where you applied skepticism and doubt to the claims of ANY guy that we've met? I can't recall you applying skepticism to any guy's claims. Can you?

[Rock]

Rock, I wasn't just talking about the South African guy who seemed like a regular clubber. There was another guy you asked the same question to. He was just an average looking guy. When he answered, he looked embarassed like he didn't know what to say and just told you what you wanted to hear, cause it seemed that's what you wanted to hear.

Sorry, my amnesia has kicked-in, lol. Which other foreigner did we talk to together in Taichung besides the Indian guy who was just visiting and had no experience? Or are you talking about a local guy?

I don't remember his name. He was just sitting outside. And we talked to him casually. Anyway, it's not important.

Well, it is relevant to your argument since its the only concrete example you provided of me being overly trusting of what others say. Which venue and what was his race and/or nationality? I just don't remember talking to any other foreigners with you during that trip so you've stimulated my curiosity.

How am I supposed to remember his name? We only talked to him for a few minutes. He was either white or middle eastern. Just an average looking guy. But not that big African guy that looked like a bouncer. You're the one who asked him, "You don't have any trouble getting laid here do you?" not me. Why would I remember a random dufus like that? I just remembered that you asked him that. I'm not sure we ever got his name. We met him outside while waiting for the club to open.

It is not one example. Can you give me an example where you applied skepticism and doubt to the claims of ANY guy that we've met? I can't recall you applying skepticism to any guy's claims. Can you?

I don't care about his name, just the venue, timing, and circumstances. That's how I remember things. Not by names.

I reviewed my detailed play-by-play write-up. There was no account of such a guy but I probably would have mentioned it since he's a foreigner. On that whole trip, you and I only spoke together with 2 foreign males - the Indian and the South African. We did greet the Russian/Mongolian girl's male friend but didn't really chat with him at all. We also spoke with a local girl who was eating with her foreign bf but never exchanged any words with the bf.

The fact is, in the few times I've gone out with you, we've only spoken in-person to a handful of other non-local guys. Lad and Aussie guy in PI + the ones mentioned above in Taiwan are the only ones who come to my mind. I avoided Stephan and never talked to that Asian American guy you kept trying to find in the Angeles bars.

Anyway, none of these guys we talked to made any claims that sounded at all unusual or in anyway like bragging with the exception of the South African who I did believe for good reasons as explained above. So where do you get this idea that I believe everything everyone tells me? You claim to have observed it in interactions. But you can't throw up anything more than one questionable example as evidence which I have no memory of nor any notes of.

If I ever got charged for a crime I didn't commit which leads to me being tried in a court case, I sure as hell hope you are not a member of the jury. Cus your judgment can be extremely subjective and emotion/feeling based, not in-line with the objective facts. Kinda ironic given that you are a self-styled truth seeker.