A Phils question

[Cap'n Jib]

Having spent some time in the Phils, I have a different take on things baseD on experiences many years ago.

First, there are at least two categories of ‘Bar Girls’ the normal kind of which everyone is familiar with. The second is the type where the girls NEVER cross over from the side of the bar where the liquor is kept.

I am surprised that Jim has not mentioned these types of bars. May be they no longer exist.

On one of my junkets to the Phils, I met a woman who was one quarter from getting her medical degree. We discussed many things…. Italian pop music (she studied in Italy for a year), US race relations, Vietnam, classical music, and most importantly she did this while teaching me Tagalog. To say that she totally held me spelled bound would be an understatement! She was in fact one of the most beautiful and intelligent women I have ever met.

At the time these bars were not located in the ‘normal’ traffic centers and as a result did not have a crowd of men in them. These women were ‘hostesses’ and to be fair were very much the same as the ‘lonely men’ (frequented mostly by married men) bars that were in Japan. Often referred to in other circles and locations as Gentlemen Clubs.

The etiquette in these establishments was the same. Proper attire, decorum and most importantly RESPECT for the women. Failing any of the above, the guilty party would be escorted out by management, the bouncer and most often by other patrons. Vulgarity was a definite no, no.

Jim, do you know if these bars still exist?

[Jim]

There are some bars in Manila which come pretty close. The big deal here is Videoke (called Kareoke in the US) and the one I went into (with Divina, several years ago) had a stage so someone could perform and not just stand by their chair and sing. I know they don't exist in Subic.

Truly, my travel and retirement experiences have been rather one dimensional. Most of the people from hash have an orientation toward the bars also so few of my acquaintances understand "normal Philippines". This Saturday I'm going to Manila for my first MENSA activity, college professors, business leaders. It will be a totally new experience for me.

[Sailover]

I misspeled Mensa on the exam.

[Charlie640]

Hmmm and I thought only women suffered from mensus.

[Jim]

Fortunately they don't test spelling on the Mensa test or I never would have passed.

[HonkyTonk]

"It will be a totally new experience for me."

Jim, meaning that you won't have to bar fine the college professors and business leaders...freebies?

[Sailover]

Charlie, that was bloody awful. Have some recpect.

[Jim]

Intelligence is as much nutured though good education as it is something you're born with. The Philippines is a very stratified society with about 10% in an elite class that has money, can go to private schools and who stand apart. This group spoke gramatically correct English, is widely travelled and work as professionals.

Tonk, It's not a choice between bar fine and freebies. The group was 75% men because the elite class is 75% men. There is a femalle president and many prominent women int he Phils but not nearly as many opportunities for women as for men and the family priorities are to educate boys and not girls if they have to make a choice.

I think the Phils and Colombia would have the same level of poverty were it not for the drug trade which does trikle down to all levels of society. Truly the lack of opportunities for women here are a major reason that being a bar girl seems so attractive to them and why lots of nice girls end up doing this.

I had an interesting afternoon/evening talking to lots of bright people. The big change was being in a situation where sex and flirting were non-existant.

[Sailover]

You mean once you include intelligence, that is the end of sex?
I always suspected that, but was too stupid to see it.