... in response to Re: Cambodia and being civilized, posted by Stephen on Dec 28, 2003[This message has been edited by don2222]
Hi All,
Apparently I touched a nerve with some people. Maybe I used a poor choice of words, but this is what I was trying to say about Cambodia:
The people dress more professionally, even though they are just as poor , if not poorer, than Filipinos, most of the Cambodians were dressed in slacks, button down oxfords, dresses, skirts, etc. Whereas, it seems that all Filipinos ever wear are just jeans and t-shirts.
Cambodia is much quieter. You can sleep anytime of the day or night. The motorcycles and cars are quieter, the malls are quiet and peaceful. The drivers never honk their horns. There just isn't the constant noise that you hear in the Phils.
The people appear more confident. They look you in the eye when they talk to you. They actually tell you "I don't know", when they don't know the answer instead of lying or avoiding the question.
Most Cambodians, like the Thais, seem to take pride in their own country and culture, and seem less desperate to leave. Whereas Filipinos seem to constantly talk bad about their own country. All I ever seem to hear from Filipinos is how bad their own country is, and how they would prefer to live anywhere else. I find that to be really depressing. In the Phils I commonly find myself defending the Phils to the Filipinos. I find it odd that I need to constantly tell Filipinos how nice their country and culture really is.
The hotels, even the cheap hotels are spotlessly clean and well maintained. Whereas in the Phils the buildings seem to just fall apart as soon as they are built.
Almost everything in Cambodia seemed to be cleaner, the air is much cleaner. Every Filipino that looked at my Cambodia pictures commented on how Cambodia and the Phils appear similar, but that Cambodia looks much cleaner.
I never had a bad meal in Cambodia, the food is a little more expensive, but it was always good.
Service in the hotels and restaurants in Cambodia seems to be faster, and without the confusion or lack of response you sometimes see in the Phils.
Very few beggars, and the few beggars I saw never touch you like they do in the Phils. In the smaller towns in Cambodia almost all the people would great me with a smile and a "hello", but they never, ever asked for anything.
I love the Philippines and the Filipinos, but yes, some things here do get on my nerves. No place is perfect, and I'm sure if I spent more time in Cambodia, I would see more flaws.
The only time I ever go to bars is with other foreigners here in the Phils, and that is less than once a month.
I very rarely drink, and I do not smoke, so I really do not like going to bars. It is so easy to have a nice girlfriend here in the Phils, that looking for a bargirl is something that I do not need to do.
I actually did consider living in Cambodia. The things holding me back are the fact that English is much less commonly used, and that violent crime might be a greater possibility in Cambodia.
Filipinos are typically very hospitable people, and I never, ever feel unsafe in the Philippines. My feeling of personal safety is something that is very important to me.
Living in a country can be much different than just a two week visit. Most of the ex-pats in the Phils will quickly tell you of their love-hate relationship with the Phils.
But, that would probably be true of any country, there are simply some things that you like, and some things that you don't like.
I want to apologize to anyone I offended, I was just sharing my own personal opinions, and maybe I should have used a better choice of words.
Don
