Etiquette for Expats and Extraterrestrials
Close-up of a sunspot from the NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day archive.
2. It is hot and humid in Manila so we sweat a lot. In order to stay cool and refreshed we take baths or showers every day, if not two or three times a day. If those of us who were born and raised here find it hot, it must be positively infernal for those of you from America, Europe, Australia-NZ and the temperate zone!
You must shower every day, if not several times a day. For maximum refreshment we recommend generous applications of soap, shampoo, and antiperspirants. Just dousing yourself in cologne is not enough to cool you down. Take a shower every day, you’ll feel so much better.
We insist.
Read Basic Etiquette for Expats, Tourists and Other Visitors to the Philippines, including Extraterrestrials, my column in interaksyon.com.
Answers to questions you might be asking, unless you wandered onto this site purely by accident >>>
August 2nd, 2011 at 19:54
You must shower every day, if not several times a day. For maximum refreshment we recommend generous applications of soap, shampoo, and antiperspirants. Just dousing yourself in cologne is not enough to cool you down. Take a shower every day, you’ll feel so much better.
We insist.
>>> THIS!!!! Please do us all a favor by doing that while you’re here in the Philippines.I love inhaling too much.
August 3rd, 2011 at 01:07
wonder what inspired you to write this? *imagining a stinky fratboy or D.O.M. in flip-flops acting out his sense of entitlement.*
re: #1 – i agree!!! over in downtown toronto, there are men who are walking topless or driving their convertible top-down while topless. i know it’s hot but beaches aren’t even close by.
August 3rd, 2011 at 15:43
My sisters call it “presence” so as not to offend the visitors who didn’t get the memo. Kind of reminds you of The Highlander no? The way you look around and at each other (your companion/s) whenever there’s a “presence” nearby.
August 3rd, 2011 at 16:59
it’s really strange, but certain groups of people from certain countries have no idea at all what a deodorant or anti-perspirant actually is. they need to be educated about hygiene and stuff.
btw, if you feel like you are being deprived of your natural right to clean-smelling fresh air by these few expatriates in the Philippines, try taking the MRT in Singapore, especially the purple line during peak hours. ;)