FOREIGNER TAX in the PHILIPPINES: Are You Being Overcharged?

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  • Опубліковано 26 жов 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 46

  • @fenderbend3r
    @fenderbend3r 5 місяців тому +3

    I'm with you John. Honesty is appreciated by foreigners because no matter what, they give more anyway. Always say keep the change for example. So they should never be abused of their kindness. Great topic guys. Thank you

    • @WatchCaliforniaExpat
      @WatchCaliforniaExpat  5 місяців тому

      Thank you very much

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому +1

      I agree. Generally, I never keep the coins unless I know that there may be a mother with a baby outside the 7-Eleven. But generally, I always leave the coins as a tip. Of course, this brings up the topic of panhandling or begging most of us know that this can be a real problem even in the United States or other countries. Generally, if somebody looks well fed, then I don’t give money. But no matter how contrived it might be, if a mother is there with her baby and I have some coins, then I give. I also have a soft spot for anyone with a disability. Yes, I’m sure sometimes I give money and it is spent on the wrong things. But I would just rather air on the side of compassion.

    • @Rodami-je6fo
      @Rodami-je6fo 5 місяців тому

      ❤❤❤😊😊

  • @judekidder
    @judekidder 5 місяців тому +2

    Hi John and Marcos. John agree with you on union commitment. I think what Marcos was saying any un earned money is un appreciated as the saying goes. Good idea on the podcast.

  • @Kimonha
    @Kimonha 5 місяців тому +3

    Marco is highly intelligent. He’s gonna need a smart lady to keep up with him. You guys definitely need to start a podcast.

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому +1

      Thanks so much for the boost and confidence. You already are capturing the objective and essence of what we want the podcast to be.

  • @liveyourlife_tv
    @liveyourlife_tv 5 місяців тому +1

    Extremely thought provoking video sir. You guys went much deeper than the thumbnail and description would suggest. I really enjoyed it

    • @WatchCaliforniaExpat
      @WatchCaliforniaExpat  5 місяців тому +1

      Appreciate that Kyle

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому +1

      Thank you, Kyle. I really appreciate your appreciation of the depth of which we like to take the conversation. As far as thumbnails go, and John knows this all too well, thumbnails, and flashy titles are part of the process of getting more views. This is one reason I’ve always been hesitantto jump into the UA-cam world. I think the term is called “click bait”

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому +1

      But let’s give some kudos to John because he doesn’t put beautiful Filipino women with bikinis on his thumbnails!

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому +1

      But that could be an idea, John. I do have some old speedos from back in the day when I was a swimmer if you wanna spice up the channel! Ha ha ha ha.😅😂

    • @liveyourlife_tv
      @liveyourlife_tv 5 місяців тому

      @@marcoexplores4175 shudders at the thought*

  • @KADIEM-LLC
    @KADIEM-LLC Місяць тому +1

    What's the best way to communicate with you? I have questions and interest in your VA business. I'm Kevin from the US.

  • @InvestInBricks
    @InvestInBricks 5 місяців тому

    Lots of other countries have signs that have different prices. In Napal its 10x for foreigners. If you are charged 300 paso instead of 100 then your getting a good deal. If you want to have different price lists then the price will increase. Just give the little extra now or pay loads more later.

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому

      Thank you for the reply. I did visit in Nepal in 2019 for three weeks in Kathmandu. I do not remember seeing any signs like that.

  • @gv2035
    @gv2035 5 місяців тому

    I think, the principle of "What the market will bear" applies here. Barbers charge locals P50-80 because that's what the locals can afford. If they charge more, their customers cannot afford a haircut and that's bad for biz. They will go to other barbers. So if every once in a while they see a foreigner, they charge more because they know the foreigner can afford more. It seems unfair. Even myself as a tagalog (someone from Manila and around that area), I get higher prices once they hear me being unable to speak bisaya. They want to get a fast buck. Fair or unfair, that's the reality. I don't like it either. But I stopped negotiating for prices especially if for me, the price is affordable and a good value for the money. That's just me.
    Thanks for taking up this very nuanced topic, despite the possibility of controversy.

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому +1

      And thank you for your thoughtful response. It is a difficult subject for sure. I’d be OK with the capitalist whatever the market can bare model, however, if a balancing mechanism, such as unions is not present, then the poor will stay poor. At least that is my opinion. of course I’m already thinking I should shut up because as I suggest anything about unions, I’m already interfering in the political nature of the country which is not my place. This will be definitely a balancing act for John and I as we talk about these challenging subjects. But I also will use a good example that I have witnessed firsthand in Bangladesh. After many years of working in poverty, dangerous conditions in the garment industry, the workers have finally organized and have started to create safer, working conditions, more reasonable, working hours, preventing child, labor,and making a more decent wage. And when I say a decent wage I’m talking about they are up to six dollars a day.

  • @bornonjuly7052
    @bornonjuly7052 5 місяців тому +1

    That's so called overcharging especially for foreigners are not usual and rampant it is only isolated being done by some unscrupolous people thinking that foreigners has more money to spend. It only happened in some informal busineses petty transactions like transportations in the far flung areas, in some barber shops but please take note that they have their rates and its up to you to ask for those rates before getting the services. But in our day to day needs such as groceries in all formal grocery business, Buses, Airfare all rates and prices are the same for both local and foreigners.

    • @jensen0818
      @jensen0818 5 місяців тому

      Watching from Southern California, thanks gentlemen for sharing your thoughts.

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому

      As I said in the interview, I have rarely felt like I am being overcharged here in the Philippines. But I also do not have a sensitive radar up, looking for it. It really has to slap me in the face for me to notice it, and then say something.and so much of this has to do with attitude.

  • @jackyjelai
    @jackyjelai 5 місяців тому +1

    Try to correct those guys collecting more than the minimum. They should tell you the truthful as barbers buy not all are doing that. There are some who aren't honest, it's better to tell the truth as 70 pesos is the cost and you can give 100 as a bonus or tips . You can also go for pedicure, they do that in Philippines, most Filipinos are having their toenail to be clean. If they charge you more, report them at the nearest barangay for their corrections too so everybody will be informed and not to be spoiled in cheating the foreigners. Sorry for the rest doing this, Goodluck sir ❤

    • @WatchCaliforniaExpat
      @WatchCaliforniaExpat  5 місяців тому

      Thank you my friend

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому

      I assume you are Filipino? I have a question for you. If a foreigner does go to the Barangay captain, and Report an overcharge by a business, what would usually happen to the business person?

  • @paulpenders3092
    @paulpenders3092 5 місяців тому +1

    Great video, great subject, nice people. I van complain like the typical expat about certain things here in the Philippines and most of the time I am wrong and should be ashamed of myself thinking so negatively about overall very nice people in this beautiful country. Honestly I have not come across about overcharging because I am a foreigner. Never mind a few pesos here and there. What egoists and small minded people we are to so often complain about overcharging few pesos here and there while we have in most case good pensions from the west?? Much to learn here for expats and many will never get it and stay unhappy with big mouths.

  • @batape1965
    @batape1965 5 місяців тому +1

    John, I know that foreigners should not comment on local politics, but I think when the government has a hands-off, libertarian policy with regard to the poor, you get the huge wealth disparities that you see in the Philippines. IMO, libertarianism looks great on paper if you are well off; but only if you don't care about the suffering of others.

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому

      😅😅😅

    • @WatchCaliforniaExpat
      @WatchCaliforniaExpat  5 місяців тому +1

      I don't think the government here is libertarian but I tend to be. It doesn't mean I don't care about others but I don't agree with over legislation

    • @batape1965
      @batape1965 5 місяців тому

      @@WatchCaliforniaExpat The problem is that no two people are ever going to agree with what constitutes "over legislation" or "necessary government". There is almost zero class generational movement when you rely solely on bootstraps.

  • @TumbleweedRocks
    @TumbleweedRocks 5 місяців тому

    I’m wondering if you guys don’t just have you SO’s do the negotiations? Having a local at your side definitely has advantages….🤑

    • @WatchCaliforniaExpat
      @WatchCaliforniaExpat  5 місяців тому

      I've learned the best way to negotiate in the Philippines is to not negotiate, and for it not to even be known that a foreigner is involved--until after the prices are agreed.

  • @Paulnhawes
    @Paulnhawes 5 місяців тому

    I don’t agree in having a system to discriminate against other nationalities! It’s the most stupid thing I’ve heard. If you want to be generous be generous but teaching people to discriminate is a terrible idea!!! Don’t be a bad idea to a great country like the Philippines

  • @artbrautigam495
    @artbrautigam495 4 місяці тому

    I have a comment about this raising the price for the foreigner The foreigners go to the Philippines because they can live a better life there. We work all our lives in the U. S to get ahead. And then now you're talking about pushing back. So I think it's a mistake for you to say These things, because you're going to discourage people from wanting to go there with that kind of a statement about charging a tax on a foreigner. I think it's a very bad idea that you just said that.

  • @Kimonha
    @Kimonha 5 місяців тому +1

    More of Marco. He’s great!

  • @gemmaleandado
    @gemmaleandado 5 місяців тому

    Yes, he's right lots of alcohol and cigarette

    • @batape1965
      @batape1965 5 місяців тому

      But that is true in the US as well. Poor people generally prefer spending a windfall on partying over long term plans in most every country.

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому

      And I just wanna make sure that everyone knows that I realize this is a problem in all countries… Except Bhutan. If you haven’t visited there… There is a reason it is called Shangri-La.

  • @artbrautigam495
    @artbrautigam495 4 місяці тому

    Also, I would like to say that think about it in America. We have an industry standard for what we charge a mark up on on items here. It's across the board in the US. And by you making this kind of a statement across on youtube here about charging a foreigner, you're upsetting the way things are done over there in the Philippines, that if you. start giving people more money. just like that. Don't you think the other business owners in the country there would be upset with that you're favoring this person over the other It's OK to be generous and give extra to people, but don't. upset the economy the way it is already It's OK to be a nice person, but I think that you your idea is trying to change things the way it is over there in which I don't appreciate like I. said like I said, anybody who goes to the Philippines are looking for a better life and a better, more economy for them to live with what they work for all their life in America. Don't be a fool or a foolish person. I would retract what you stated about charging foreigners extra money. You're gonna have a lot of people not very happy with you.

  • @liveyourlife_tv
    @liveyourlife_tv 5 місяців тому

    We all know john is super foofoo

    • @WatchCaliforniaExpat
      @WatchCaliforniaExpat  5 місяців тому +1

      But only about popcorn

    • @marcoexplores4175
      @marcoexplores4175 5 місяців тому

      Super foo foo! I’m thinking of getting him a Segway so he can move around the mall more easily.