Bill's Ten Travel TIPS USA

[PhilBill]

I posted my ten travel tips for travelers in the Philippines a few times and a few years ago. Occasionally i go back and check feedback and other people's
responses. Quite often Filipino Americans and Canandians feel offended about a few of my comments and "happy camper" survival tips so I had forgotten all about my response with "Bill's Ten Travel Tips for USA below:

Okay here's a TRAVEL TIP LIST for the USA

1. Never raise your voice nor make any aggressive movements with any part of your body pointed at other drivers when driving in bumper to bumper traffic. Americans own and carry more hand guns than any citizen on earth except maybe Afghanistan or Pakistan and ROAD RAGE is NOT uncommon.

2. If you need to work remember that whatever salary an employer claims to offer you when your paycheck comes it will be seriously short due to the tax
deductions and other charges.

3. When checking out various tourist related activities or sightseeing trips
remember the price seems NOT to be mentioned and the American "helping" you will make you feel tacky should you want to know the price. Also be sure to use words like "compensation, funds", renumeration and costs" instead of asking "how much?" or mentioning the word, "money". It's just NOT done.

4. Don't rent an apartment or house for long periods without going to work daily because all of your American neighbors will be tempted to SNITCH and start calling into shows like "America's Most Wanted" and the local enforcement authorities that you MUST BE some kind of criminal because you don't work.

5. Don't speak your own language in front of English speaking Americans because they are SO PARANOID ( and often ignorant ) that they will think ( KNOW) you are talking about them in some kind of negative way.

6. Be careful speaking your mind about America's foreign policy nor its military
around the world or especially ANY negative comments because Americans are
EXTREMELY SELF RIGHTEOUS fand fancy themselves and the USA as the GUIDING LIGHT TO PROSPERITY AND FREEDOM. Otherwise, be prepared for either violence or being snitched on to the local authorities that you could be a "TERRORIST SYMPATHIZER". ( Don't forget those expensive government advertisements last year which accused marijuana users as supporters of terrorism )

7. Be VERY careful about making ANY comments about overweight issues since 50% of Americans are overweight enough to be considered obese. After all, there's no reason to reserve all of one's compassion for poverty stricken, starving children overseas; fat people have feelings too and need your tender
understanding.

8. Don't be seen carrying too many U$100 bills or using cash to pay for
everything because many Americans will suspect you of being a criminal or drug dealer.

9. Follow ALL RULES to the LETTER OF THE LAW in the USA or be prepared to spend a small FORTUNE on legal fees and fines. I'm talking about a SERIOUS LIFE INTERRUPTION that could effect you for TEN YEARS. Remember the USA has the highest number of citizens imprisoned per capita than any country in the world.

10. Do NOT walk along any freeway and most residential streets with a backpack because the local residents will call the police ASAP to investigate and find out who you are and why you are passing though their local community.

( TAKE NOTE: During periods or recession and unemployment the stress and crime rate and acts of violenmt crimes will go UP as will the use of tobacco, alchohol and drugs. )

So please do not take my tips about the Philippines as negative; I LOVE THE
PHILIPPINES and could almost "kiss the ground" each time I arrive at Manila's
NAIA.

That "date rape" drug used in the USA violently is a good example fo the
difference; in the Philippines nobody is ever attacked violently nor sexually,
only robbed. Filipinos, by nature, are VERY PEACEFUL people.

[pinknic38]

I would like to reply to each one of those ignorant remarks individually, unfortunately since I'm an asshole american myself, I don't want to waste any of my precious time on YOU because I'd rather be spending my time being self righteous or whatever else you think we americans are.

I do not know who you are to make a post like that but the point of this travel website is to encourage travel to places and help fellow travelers out and this post does neither. your post is completely ignorant and for the most part completely untrue (not to mention rude).

I don't think anyone started anything saying the philippines are better than america or vice versa so I don't get the root of your hatred but I can guarantee that I am not the only one who will be offended by this post. It would be the same if you said these things about any other country. at travelpunk we're not here to promote hatred of another country.

[mish99]

Im going to be in America for 2 months starting in April. For somebody who has never been to America (me) ive been looking for some really good advice and tips on backpacking there.

This gives me nothing. Im sorry to be so frank, but for me tips should be on things like how to get good discounts, good places to stay, places to avoid etc...

First off: Have you actually ever experienced any of these? Have people called the police on you because you were walking around with a backpack on? Have people stopped you because they thought you were a terrorist? Have you been accused of being a drug dealer for having $100 bills? Or had your life 'interrupted' because of legal matters? I truly dont think so.

Tips should be on things you HAVE experienced. Like pinknic said, we are here to promote travel, and if there are some serious problems, then warn people against them. These tips dont help me, and I think you should read what you wrote and hopefully you will realise that it is actually quiet rude and offensive - and im not even American.

Im sorry if this is truly how you feel about America, and I hope if you go back you will have a better time.

As for the date rape drug - believe it or not, its everywhere!

By the way: When did you go to america and how long for?? I would love to see some pics of the places you went to, maybe you could make an album?

[mish99]

Sorry, but I would also like to ask: are these tips just for people from the Phillipines or for everyone travelling to America? I think if your giving tips they should be universally helpful, no matter where you are from.

[joe7f]

Originally Posted by pinknic38

I would like to reply to each one of those ignorant remarks individually, unfortunately since I'm an asshole american myself, I don't want to waste any of my precious time on YOU because I'd rather be spending my time being self righteous or whatever else you think we americans are.

I don't know Nicole, I think Bill makes some astute observations. Let me put down my gallon of soda and big mac smoothie and tell you where I think he is right.

1.) I have been shot 5 times for change lanes without a turn signal. We play for keeps baby!

2.) I know man, the VAT here is just killing me!

3.) Dead nuts on. If there is a country where you don't see price tags it's right here in the US.

4.) Exactly. No one has a home based business, an unusual work schedule, or stays at home as a parent.

5.) I always wondered why I never heard foreign languages in the US!

6.) Damn right. We are a nation that demands a lock step mentality. That is why Bush and Obama both enjoy near 100% approval ratings and there was no dissent regarding any of the wars.

7.) Hell half the NBA is obese. We need to get some more BMI appropriate idols for our kids. Maybe encourage a little bit of anorexia and bulemia. I wish we had more eating disorders.

8.) My grandfather gets accused of being a drug dealer all the time with his cash purchases.

9.) It is our way of getting more American citizens...mwahahaha.

10.) I did this several times around my neighborhood at all hours of the day and made the same loops over and over again for weeks. I got really lucky that no one called me given I passed by two police officers who live a few streets over. He even said "Hello" smiled and nodded, I wonder wtf that meant

--Joey

[ScarlotteDorian]

Originally Posted by joe7f

I don't know Nicole, I think Bill makes some astute observations. Let me put down my gallon of soda and big mac smoothie and tell you where I think he is right.

10.) I did this several times around my neighborhood at all hours of the day and made the same loops over and over again for weeks. I got really lucky that no one called me given I passed by two police officers who live a few streets over. He even said "Hello" smiled and nodded, I wonder wtf that meant

--Joey

sorry, i don't want to make light of this, but you're freakin' cracking me up joey.

i side with everyone on encouraging travel on this site. any negativity is bad m-kay.

[mbo108]

This is my favorite part:

So please do not take my tips about the Philippines as negative; I LOVE THE
PHILIPPINES and could almost "kiss the ground" each time I arrive at Manila's NAIA.

Obviously tons of thought went into this post.

[worldwidemike]

Clever, PhilBill, clever. Include a grain of truth in each pound of slander...obese Americans, taxes, road rage -- ha, ha!

I've nothing to add to the entirely correct responses of my fellow Tpunkers to your hateful post, except: I'm very disappointed in you, PhilBill. I remember you back from the early days of Tpunk. You were never like this before, randomly slandering other nationalities.

I hope you just had a bad day. Take care, and remember the Godfather of Tpunk's mantra about positive energy...!

worldwidemike

[Canadian Bacon]

Dude, I'm sure someone could make a top 10 list of the phillipines that is less than flattering (and not un-true).

As every countries has good and bads, focusing on the bad is just not what travel is about.

[lauren313]

I just want to jump in here and say that, as a non-American, I've never thought anything but positive things about America and its people.

Ok, so there might be some dumb laws, or a few strange people, but those I have encountered have never been anything but nice.

I was never once approached by the police because I was wandering round with a backpack on. I was never given grief for uttering the words "How much does this cost?" and was certainly never looked down upon for saying "No, that's too much money".

When I was in the US, I paid for everything with cash. How anyone would have suspected me of being a criminal or drug dealer is completely beyond me. Unless someone was following me round all these places, watching me pay with cash, how would they even know?!

Look, basically, America has its faults, like ALL places in the world. Focus on the good, man, not the bad! America has so much to offer, why would you want to put people off? I loved it, and I'd visit again. Luckily I have my own experiences to base that on, as well as recommendations from people who can appreciate what the country has to offer. I really hope what you've said doesn't put people off. It would be a shame.

[space virgin]

he's at it again, I see.