9/22/09

Beware?


exhibit A

exhibit B

Since arriving two weeks ago, I've stayed in two kinds of accommodation in the Philippines - a hotel and a resort - where notices in the rooms as pictured above caution guests about possible problems. These may look just like any sensible travel advisory for some but others will panic and look at these like they're vacationing in the wrong country. Are these notices really necessary?

Anywhere I travel, there are always people out there - con men, scam artists, thieves, you name it - that will always be on the look-out for their foreign prey. This is not a problem unique to the Philippines. Common sense, I believe, is often the best defense to enjoy a trip more than paranoia.

10 comments:

  1. true. im quite sad though that this problem has not yet been resolved. for years now.

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  2. "Anywhere I travel, there are always people out there - con men, scam artists, thieves, you name it - that will always be on the look-out for their foreign prey. This is not a problem unique to the Philippines. Common sense, I believe, is often the best defense to enjoy a trip more than paranoia"

    Amen to that! I cannot say it any better than you did.

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  3. With such a dire warning, i won't be surprised if travellers decide not to go visit there. Yikes !

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  4. I find that most people on holidays (not your typical backpacker) put their guard down which make them fair game to people with bad intentions. I agree, it doesn't paint a good picture to see these warnings, but I find it a prudent measure for the establishment to put up those signs, an ounce of prevention being better than a pound of cure.

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  5. Exact! Common sense is what a traveler need most.
    Besides... I travelled in this country for almost 17 years and I was only robbed twice in very risky situations (huge crowds) where I was well aware it could happen.

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  6. You have a very valid point..! These are like very good ways of scaring away guests.. :) We all should just be smart enough to be wary of things that seem out of the ordinary..

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  7. can't help these hotel-owners to exercise caution for its guests, because let's face it--not all tourists are careful or aware of the possible dangers. the fact that you're in mindanao also makes for more paranoid precautions.

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  8. A case of paranoia. There are a lot of intelligent people out there than con men...but one should really be cautious especially when you're in Mindanao. I had an experience where a guy went to my hotel to bring me to the airport. When I checked with my host if she already sent the driver, she said, No! The driver was with her! So I went back to my room and locked myself! :)

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  9. haha.. parang nakakaparanoid.. grabe!

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  10. I agree with you. These announcements are unnecessary. There are places in other parts of the world that are riskier.

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