Oddities in the Philippines
 

Yesterday’s post was of a similar nature to this one, not exactly humorous but more of an oddity. Depends on one's sense of humour of course as we had a good laugh today. Anyhow, rather than hijack Stokkevn’s thread I’ve decided to start a new one entitled ‘Oddities in the Philippines’.
Today in S&R today, we picked up 2 cartons of 185g tins of canned tuna; each carton contained 4 tins of exactly the same product and weight but with different wrapping. One package had cardboard wrapping; the other on the shelf above had plastic wrapping.

• The cardboard carton was marked ‘Exclusively for S&R members’ and was priced ₱239.
• The plastic carton was marked ‘Buy 3, Get 1 for Free’. The price? You’ve probably guessed it, ₱239.

In the past I’ve highlighted such oddities to the nearest supervisor and all to no avail so I wasn’t going down that route again. Still, I thought it might be worth a bit of banter at the check out so I took one of each carton with me.
Upon pointing it out to the usual friendly check out lady, she patiently explained to me that the plastic wrapping carton meant that I was getting one free. Right, I said, so I would be better off buying the tuna in the plastic carton? Yes Sir, of course …… Say no more. Although one thought did cross my mind: 'Do Filipinos really fall for that nonsense/ scam advertising?'

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

my Filipina would definatly go for the free one. Well it's free init.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

The biggest problem is that Filipinos are generally terrible at mental arithmetic.I tried pointing out to a shop boy that a pkt of crisps selling at P85 each or special offer two for P190 wasn't a special offer but more expensive, he could not work it out that it was, even with his phone. The manager was not much better saying "Yes but there are two of them", after 3 goes on her phone she did concede that it was more expensive and then wandered off leaving the special offer in place.

Careful when buying local plumbing materials hoping they will match ones brought in from overseas. 1/2" hose connectors made here are slightly smaller than 1/2" and as such leak profusely when mated up to a British 1/2" hose, also true of many other fittings as well.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

I don't think it's the size difference as Philippines plumbing leaks profusely anyway.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Many plumbing leaks due to "compulsory " use of ptfe tape on compression fittings so stopping them to tighten up properly. Then have to add plumbers cement to stop the leak.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

The plumbing problem is they assume 1" is the same as 25mm, it isn't (it's 25.4mm), so they interchange metric and imperial pipe fittings and label them incorrectly. Last week we measured the internal diameter of three different manufacturers '25mm' blue plastic T's, each was slightly different. Two were moulded 1" on the fitting yet slightly different size and the third was moulded 25mm and was yet a different size!! No quality control or actual understanding. The assistant eventually shrugged and walked off.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

They are using American Imperial not British

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

I worked for a very large American engineering company for 30 years, they had industrial valves and parts manufactred in the US, Mexico, Germany and Italy, often compatibility and choosing the correct duty/size was a challenge.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

If they are using the American standard they would all be out by the same amount, which they are not. On a 1" fitting the actual size can be larger or smaller than any other international standard and well outside allowances for the American standards. Yesterday I was looking for a 2" Tee, one shop did not have one but asked if a 3" Tee would do instead.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Seeing a girl sitting astride a motorbike as a passenger but wearing a helmet whilst her partner wasn't wearing one is certainly an oddity over there in my eyes. Yes its his choce to risk his head in a crash but does the girl not think she's in danger of coming off by sitting on the bike that way yet shes obviously concerned about her head and does he think that her helmet will protect them both, if you know what I mean or that because he's a guy his head is bulletproof?

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Perhaps I'm not following you correctly, but surely the girl sitting astride a motorbike with a helmet on is doing it the most safest way. Had she been sitting with both legs on the same side (as so many females do in Asia) then agreed she's in greater danger of coming off.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Today I saw a guy on a motorbike wearing a proper helmet, the girl on the back was wearing a construction helmet and the kid inbetween nothing.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Here is unusual to see anyone wearing a helmet and if they are it is normally protecting their elbow.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Yes I meant both legs on the same side

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

I've ridden five on a bike many times before, plus the shopping in the basket and bags hanging off the mirrors

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

that's just the norm....☺

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Indeed. Wouldn't do it now , but at the time needs must.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Got burgled last night ( so 3 effing useless dogs now for sale ), so her in doors and I went to the police station to report it. The police ever so nice but said as there was no actual proof we had been burgled ( i.e. witnesses, CCTV etc ) so there was no reportable crime. I asked that had I caught the toe-rag, killed him, cooked him and fed him to my dogs there would also be no crime, as the only witness would be in the dogs dinner bowl. After a few coughs and splutters he admitted that technically I was right. I then told him that it might be worth letting the local villains know my thoughts on this idea. Sheepish look and he admitted that it may do more good than them investigating it and would put the word out.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Sorry to hear about that Stokkevn. It happened to me when I lived in UK back in the mid 80’s. The thieves broke in through the front door in broad daylight when I was at work. The police did actually turn up at that stage but as is so often the case, they told me the chances of catching the offender/s were negligible. They were right. Fortunately I had insurance so most of it was covered from the financial aspect. However, the feeling of intrusion and outrage remained for a long time. :banghead:

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

I guess the PNP have different MO depended on where you are. When we were burgled back in December of last year (wifes purse was nicked from her handbag,) the police came out immediately and the following day. The offender was never caught.

Regards

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

When we got to the police station it was about to start the Monday flag raising ceremony and my oldest dog had decided at that point to hump the police station female dog right in front of the flag pole. So that may have swayed the requirements. Tonight lots of dangling 220V bare cables above the back wall.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Not sure if this one falls under the hilarious, odd, lazy or just plain daft variety. Our neighbour, who has a garden and a surplus of large plant pots, very kindly gave us some of her large pots for herbs etc. One of them still had a withered shrub in it and she explained that her gardener had re-potted it last year but the plant hadn’t taken off in the larger pot.
When my wife removed the withered shrub, she discovered that it was still attached to its original pot. In other words, when instructed to replant the scrub to a larger pot, her gardener had simply left the shrub in it’s original pot, dropped it into the larger pot and topped the whole thing up with more soil; so we had a pot within a pot. Get your head around that one!

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Don't tell me..........
And originally with that plant the gardener was hoping to cultivate.......... 'pot'! :getcoat:

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Impressive Tweedpipe, I like that thought. :thumb:

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

I thought it had only happened to me. A while ago my wife told the gardener to plant a couple of plants that were in pots in the garden, same result as yourself. I only found out some time later when I was looking for the pots to reuse.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

... and here's me thinking Tweedpipe was just trying to be funny but it seems that ‘growing pot’ is a cottage industry here.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

I bought some seeds a while ago in Robinsons, did not have my glasses but the picture looked like lavender, which I had been after for a while. Got home, sowed the seeds and waited. They all came up but the leaves did not look like lavender. Looked at the packet and found out they were called Salvia, having no idea what Salvia was a quick internet check came up with Salvia is a drug that produces visual hallucinogenic effects similar to those people can experience with narcotics such as LSD. It was only then that I noticed the dog looking very happy with some leaves hanging out of his mouth. Not too sure what I should do now, destroy it or open a stall in the local market. So if whoever started the thread "Income Suggestions" is interested in a new business PM me, I still have a load of seeds.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Many kinds of salvias, they're basically your common garden sage in the mint family. The one you're referring to is Salvia divinorum. Tried it a few times back in the day. Quite short lived compared to LSD, but it's a stronger hallucinogen. It will definitely take you some place else. I'd be surprised if that's the one for sale in the market. Only one way to find out though!

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Checked the leaf and flowers against Salvia and as far as I can see it is Divinorum. No wonder the dog was acting a bit strange

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Thought I had posted this but must have got lost in space.

I have managed to upset a young girl ( approx 5 yo ) in the market a couple of days ago, her parents run one of the veg stalls and at the back was a cage with a couple of small rabbits in it, good idea as they can feed them up for nearly nothing as they eat the old veg. I asked them how much per kilo - how was I to know they were pets. Here the only thing with 4 legs that is safe is the dining room table but if you mentioned eating rabbit or pigeon you get the same look as you would get from a Brit if you mentioned tasty BBQ dog.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Cultural differences are quite amazing aren't they. Here in France, rabbit or pigeon are still looked upon as a gastronomic delight, depending on how well they are prepared and cooked of course.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

It's because rabbit has teeth like rats and mice.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Nothing wrong with rats on the menu, as long as they come from the rice field and not the sewage pipe.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

I'll leave it to you to convince the locals.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Round here I have seen them take home dead rats from the rice fields at harvest time, I assume destined for the pot.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

I saw an oddity a while ago, maybe should be someone to be considered for the Darwin awards. I saw a motorbike driving down the road with the headlight with a red cover making it look like a rear light. I assume there will be no surprise in the family when he meets a bus coming the other way at night.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

I was following a motorbike the other day, both the driver and the girl riding pillion had their helmets over their arm. The driver then handed his to the girl behind so she had a helmet on both arms.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

You just work on the principle that what ever it is, it will go wrong and ensure you always have a back-up plan ready for when it does. Keeps you young and on your toes.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

We just got nailed by the storm that went through Capiz on Xmas day. On a sunny Boxing day there was a bunch of residents up the road digging a ditch along the road. One would have thought that the time for digging a ditch would be before the storm arrived.

Re: Oddities in the Philippines
 

Wife persuaded me ( and I fell for it again ) that she wanted to breed native chickens and sell them. Initially we ( that means I ) had a hutch built for our three ( 2 hens and a cock ) to live in. Within a few days I had to have a second hutch built to accommodate the cock because he was apparently "Annoying" the hens as they do when they are trying to mate. So last week we had two hens in one hutch and a sex starved cock in another and my wife still expecting chicks. This week the wife has got fed up with cleaning out the hutches, buying food and cleaning up the garden when they escaped. Apparently now we will be having BBQ'd chicken this weekend, they had better be bloody good as they were purchased for P320 each 3 weeks ago but after accommodation and food costs they now cost about P770 each and they are not any bigger than when we bought them.

If anyone's wife says "I have an idea" just run