Truth In Tourism Tips – Holiday Safety Tips

Tourists are generally safe in and around Angeles City, but it is always wise to remember that the Philippines is a poor country by western standards, so some Filipinos you come into contact with are living a pretty much a hand-to-mouth existence. Nonetheless, the vast majority of Filipinos are honest, hard working and friendly souls and are not out to cheat or rob you - despite some expat and tourist misconceptions. Like anywhere, however, there are conmen and various other dishonest people around – locals and expatriates. Although levels of general and violent crime are often lower here than in many other countries, it is always better to be aware of some local safety tips – because local safety tips such as these are real local tourist tips that if followed can make your holiday trouble free.

So without wishing to nag, let me pass on a few ‘tourist street smarts’, tourist tips and local safety tips to make your trip to the Philippines a little more hassle free.

Tourist Tips & Safety Tips

• If you don’t know how much it costs for a trike to take you where you wish to go, agree on a price with the driver before you get in. This will avoid any later hassle.
• Avoid riding a trike or getting in a jeepney with someone who greets you on the street claiming to have met you earlier at a bar, on the bus, flight, etc. They haven’t! Go with them and you really will be taken for a ride, usually with unpleasant financial consequences.
• Don’t flash wads of cash around or wear reams of gold around your neck like a punked out rap artist or Mr. T. When you go out, just carry enough to get through that day/night with a little in reserve, and leave the rest in the safety deposit box at your hotel. There is a threshold above which few of us are able to resist temptation!
• No matter the circumstances, try to remain calm and patient at all times. Filipinos value harmony and good manners very highly and generally will seek to avoid confrontation or conflict which may cause a ‘loss of face’. If you feel you have a grievance discuss your reasons calmly and rationally with the person in charge. Success in such negotiations is far more likely if both parties are prepared to compromise, thereby ‘saving face’ all round.

Put simply, if you are sensible and remember to follow a few basic common sense rules as listed in the Tourist tips above, you will have, or continue to have, a great time here in the Philippines, whether enjoying the many sights, locations, and adventures the country has to offer, indulging your more exotic fantasies, or just enjoying the local Philippine culture. Happy Holiday!

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